The JOE McCOY CUBAN SHORTS are a resort-inspired short that can be paired with the JOE McCOY CUBAN SHIRT S/S, both made from a karami-weave cloth, carefully woven on Japanese looms. In this construction, pairs of warp yarns twist around one another as the weft passes between them, creating small openings throughout the fabric. This structure allows air to circulate freely, producing a cloth that remains cool and comfortable even during hot and humid weather. The open weave also gives the fabric a slight stretch on the bias, adding flexibility and ease of movement.

Karami weaving, known in Japan as karamiori, is a specialized textile technique historically used for summer kimono fabrics. It is closely associated with the weaving traditions of the Tango region of Kyoto, where silk production such as Tango chirimen crepe has been practiced for more than three centuries. The method developed as a practical solution for Japan’s humid summers, producing fabrics that allow light and air to pass through while remaining structurally stable.

Unlike conventional weaving, where warp threads simply rise and fall as the weft passes through, karamiori requires the warp threads themselves to cross and intertwine. This additional step makes the weaving process more complex and time-consuming, and the structure must be carefully designed so that the twisted karami sections integrate with the surrounding weave without disrupting the fabric. The result is a cloth that combines lightness and breathability with a surprising degree of stability.

These characteristics make karami cloth naturally suited to garments intended for warm climates. In this case it is applied to a pair of simple, casual shorts with a drawcord waist.

100% Cotton Karamiori Fabric

Drawcord Waist

Cotton Sewing Thread Construction

Made in Japan