The JOE McCOY CUBAN SHIRT S/S is made from a karami-weave cloth, carefully woven on Japanese looms, and can be paired with the JOE McCOY CUBAN SHORTS made from the same fabric. 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 the Cuban shirt, a garment long associated with the tropical regions of Latin America.

The Cuban shirt, also known as a guayabera, traces its origins to traditional workwear worn throughout the Caribbean and parts of Central and South America. Following the Cuban Revolution of 1959, many Cuban exiles arrived in cities such as Miami and New York, bringing elements of their culture and dress with them, most notably the guayabera. The lightweight open-collar shirt with multiple pockets soon became popular as casual summer wear. Surfers later adopted the style, often shortening the sleeves and hem, which helped establish the relaxed proportions seen in modern interpretations.

In Cuba itself the garment carries a slightly different meaning. The Cuban shirt is often regarded as appropriate formal wear and may be worn by public officials or at ceremonies. Despite its name, however, the shirt is widely worn across Central and South America, particularly in countries such as Mexico. The well-known four-pocket configuration, now strongly associated with the style, is believed to have originated from practical work shirts worn by farmers before becoming a defining feature of the garment.

100% Cotton Karamiori Fabric

Takase Shell Button Front and Pockets

Cotton Sewing Thread Construction

Made in Japan