What a jinbei is
What a jinbei is
Japanese men wear the jinbei at home when summer gets hot. The top is short. It crosses left over right and ties shut at the side with two pairs of fabric cords, and the shorts that come with it are cut from the same cloth. Look for it at fireworks, at summer festivals and on porches in August.
It sits between a yukata and everyday clothes. A yukata is a full robe tied with an obi. Split that robe into a short top and a pair of shorts, keep the crossed collar and the ties, and you have a jinbei, easier to move in and quicker to put on. Nothing else changes.
The sets in this collection
There are five sets here. They differ by cloth.
The Men’s Cotton Jinbei Set is 100% cotton at about 190 g/m2, in black, sizes XS to XXL. The Men’s Seigaiha Wave Jinbei Set is double-layer cotton gauze printed with overlapping waves, in grey or black.
The Men’s Jacquard Jinbei Set is light 99% cotton in a woven jacquard or a plain weave. The Men’s Modal Jinbei Set is a soft stretch modal blend, 50% modal, in four colours. The Men’s Tie-Front Jinbei Set pairs a lyocell top with balloon trousers, one size.
How to choose a size
Jinbei are cut loose. Take your usual size. Each product page lists the chest and shorts length from the supplier’s chart. The jacquard set has a 110 cm chest on XS and 118 cm on S, for example.
How to wear and wash one
Wear it with sandals or bare feet. Close the inner tie first, then the outer one, so the left panel ends up on top the way every Japanese crossed collar is worn. Machine wash cold on a gentle cycle. Hang it to dry.
The same family of garments is in the guide to buying a jinbei. For the work version, see the samue set. For other Japanese cuts, browse Japanese pants, haori jackets and men’s kimono jackets.
Measurements come from the manufacturer's flat size table for each garment, converted to centimetres and mapped onto one size ladder. Available for 3 of the 5 garments here, last checked 2026-10-01. How we measure.
Jinbei at a glance
| Piece | Fabric | Fit | Sizes | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Men's Cotton Jinbei Set | 100% cotton | Loose | XS–XXL | £31.00 |
| Men's Modal Jinbei Set | 50% modal, 50% other fibres, stretch | Loose | XS–M | £27.00 |
| Men's Seigaiha Wave Jinbei Set | 100% cotton double-layer gauze | Loose | XS–S | £27.00 |
| Men's Jacquard Jinbei Set | 99% cotton, 1% other fibres | Loose | XS–S | £27.00 |
| Men's Tie-Front Jinbei Set | Top: at least 96% lyocell. Trousers: 80% polyester, 20% cotton | Relaxed | One Size | £31.00–£62.00 |
Frequently asked questions
What is a jinbei?
A two-piece Japanese summer set: a short top that crosses left over right and ties at the side, with matching shorts. Men wear it at home and at summer festivals.
What is the difference between a jinbei and a yukata?
A yukata is a full-length cotton robe tied with an obi. A jinbei is two pieces, a short tied top and shorts, so it is easier to move in.
What are jinbei made of?
Here, 100% cotton, double-layer cotton gauze, 99% cotton jacquard and a stretch modal blend. Each product page gives the exact fibres.
What size jinbei should I get?
Jinbei are cut loose, so take your usual size. Each page lists the chest and shorts length from the supplier’s size chart.