Move over crop tops, the hilarious 'Beijing Bikini' trend is back
China’s summer heatwave has brought back the viral Beijing Bikini trend where men prioritise comfort over style.
Image: Instagram/pubity
While some of us are currently layering like we’re auditioning for a winter survival documentary in Cape Town, over in China it’s a completely different fashion story.
In Beijing, the so-called “Beijing Bikini” has been spotted again and no, it’s not what you think.
Before anyone panics or starts booking flights for fashion week, this isn’t an official trend or runway moment. It’s actually a very practical, slightly hilarious summer habit where men (mostly older generations) roll up their shirts to expose their bellies in an attempt to survive the intense heat and humidity.
So while we’re out here freezing our small toes off and questioning life under a blanket in June, the ouens in Beijing are simply saying: “Not today, sleeves.” Crop tops it is.
The nickname “Beijing Bikini” was coined by amused onlookers and tourists who kept noticing the same thing popping up across parks, streets and public spaces during heatwaves. And it stuck because internet humour never misses an opportunity.
But beyond the laughs, it’s really just a glimpse into how people adapt to extreme weather in everyday life.
When temperatures rise, fashion rules quietly exit stage left, and practicality takes centre stage… even if that stage includes a slightly dramatic belly reveal.
It’s also worth noting this isn’t exclusive to Beijing. The trend has been spotted in other Chinese cities too, making it more of a cultural heatwave coping mechanism than a localised fashion statement.
Still, for outsiders, it remains one of those oddly specific cultural moments that makes travel so entertaining.
One person’s “summer style” is another person’s “is this allowed? and yet somehow, it just works.
One person wrote: "Just the most normal thing on the Ecuadorian coast. Travel a bit before getting surprised by nonsense 🤣💀.”
While another wrote: "In Brazil we just go shirtless. It's way cooler 🤣."
"Well Indian uncles have been doing it for so long 🤣," wrote another.
Well, one thing is for sure, this ain’t anything new.
From coast to coast, heatwaves seem to have the same effect on men everywhere: shirts start disappearing and comfort takes priority over convention.
Welcome the male bellies, people.