Crafted for Her: The Making of the Tejas Guayabera Dress

“When are y’all finally gonna make something for the women?”

It’s the question we heard more than any other—at in-store events, on social media, and in just about every corner of our inbox. A couple of months ago, we answered it with the launch of our very first women’s piece: the Tejas Guayabera Dress.

Now that warmer weather is back, we’re sharing more of the story behind the dress—how it came to be, what we learned along the way, and why it means so much to us.

One of the people leading that story? Millie Willett—our product designer who’s been with Texas Standard for two years and took the reins on our first-ever women’s piece. A UT-trained fashion designer, she brought the creativity, fit expertise, and deep respect for our brand DNA needed to get this right.

"This wasn’t about jumping on a trend,” Millie says. “It was about building something women could wear with pride and wear often.” The release wasn’t just about a new product. It marked the start of something bigger for the brand. And while it may look like just a dress to some, for us—and for Millie—it carries a lot more weight.

The Right Time, The Right Product

The Tejas Guayabera is one of our cornerstone garments. It’s the shirt our customers return for again and again. You’ll spot it at weddings, tailgates, and backyard BBQs. So when it came time to design something for women, that’s where we began.

“It was kind of a no-brainer,” Millie explains. “It’s our best-selling item and what we’re known for.”

When the opportunity to create something for women came along, Millie stepped up to lead it—but the vision was shared across the whole Texas Standard team. From fabric feel to function, the group knew the bar was high. It had to be something that felt just as true to Texas Standard as it did fresh and new.

Building It from the Ground Up

Designing a dress inspired by a men’s shirt wasn’t easy. But for Millie, the challenge was part of the reward. She started with a blank slate. “I didn’t have any female customer insights, sales data, or other products to pull from. I drafted the pattern and sewed the first sample myself. It took time, but it was the only way to get the exact fit, look, and feel we were after.”

This isn’t just a smaller version of the men’s shirt. The Tejas Guayabera Dress is a fully reimagined piece, made specifically for women. Crafted from a breathable cotton blend with just the right amount of stretch, it features a button-down front, embroidered double-breasted pockets, and signature nods to tradition. Functional details like a tie waistband and—yes—pockets make it just as practical as it is polished.

“We wanted it to be comfortable, versatile, and flattering,” Millie says. “That’s why we added the belt. You can cinch it in or wear it loose, depending on the day.”

Designing with Women in Mind

For Millie, this was more than just another launch. It was personal. “I love women’s wear and the creativity that comes with it. Men’s fashion can be more rigid, but with women’s I get to play with fabric, color, and trims.” That sense of freedom shows up in the final design. It strikes a balance between classic styling and modern polish.

And while we’ve always had a loyal female customer base—women shopping for the men in their lives—this one was just for them. “I was excited to finally design for our female clients. It felt like a way to give back to the women who’ve supported us all along.”

More Than Just a Dress

The Tejas Guayabera Dress debuted last fall and quickly found its place. “At first, women weren’t sure how to wear it—especially if they were only familiar with the men’s version,” Millie says. “But once we showed them some styling ideas, it took off.”

It’s already been spotted at Longhorn football games in Burnt Orange, at garden parties, and even on vacation. “Seeing something I designed worn on the University of Texas campus, where I studied fashion, was surreal,” Millie says.

From game days to backyard hangs, the dress has become a go-to for a lot of women. And that’s the best kind of feedback we could ask for. “We took a risk. And it paid off.”

Looking Ahead

We’ve learned a lot since launch. From sourcing fabric to fit testing to letting the story find its place organically around the product, it’s been a hands-on experience for all team members every step of the way. But the biggest lesson was the simplest: listen to your customer, and make something worth showing up for.

“This is just the beginning,” Millie says. “I hope it shows that Texas Standard is ready to grow. We’re here for the long haul, and we’ll keep bringing the same quality to every piece—no matter who it’s made for.”

What’s next? Let’s just say the women’s section might be growing faster than you think.