On April 14, 2024, Japanese Princess Aiko attended the spring gagaku (ancient Japanese court music) concert at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo. Gagaku is a type of Japanese classical music that was historically used for imperial court music and dances. Gagaku (Japanese Imperial Court Music and Dance) is performed at several court functions at the Imperial Palace, at State Dinners and on the occasion of the Spring and Autumn Garden Parties.
I know the Imperial Palace has its own rules when it comes to style
ReplyDeletebut this suit does not fit properly. The jacket is too big and the skirt also seems too wide at the hips. Not an outfit for a young woman.
Everything she has worn has been ill fitting. It is as if she is borrowing the clothes.
DeleteI would differ and say the fashion in Japan isn't necessarily as tight (like we've seen in Europe in the last twenty or so years), especially in skirts, and it does make sense because they need to be able to bow quite deeply and it's not going to make for good photos to have a tighter outline of the rear in doing so!
DeleteThe Western trend definitely has become one for outlining the hips and bust with a tighter and stretchy fabric, to the point a few years ago where it felt like the horizontal stretch across a skirt were almost deliberate to emphasise the curves, but I'd say Japan is generally a bit more of a loose or even boxy silhouette.
A garment that fits does not have to be tight. It means that shoulder seams are at their proper place, that fabric does not bulge. I am well aware of the Japanese looser fit of clothes in general but this jacket is too big. Her mother, aunt and cousins all wear better fitted clothes without them being tight.
Delete@ Anonymous 14/4 2:56
DeleteI do not know in which fashion magazines you look, or on which fashion sites, but the last 3 or 4 years fashion in Europe is becoming just the opposite of what you describe. The tops are loose, the pants are wide and loose. The skirts are wide and midi, as are the dresses. The coats are midi, the jackets are short or long depending on what kind of pants you wear them, etc... The Western trend now is again a bit shorter but certainly not mini (unless for very young teenagers) and a bit less wide.
Are the facemasks still because of covid? I am surprised every time I see Japanese imperials in public, because in Europe you don't see the facemasks in public for a long time now.
ReplyDeleteThe imperial fashion in Japan always seems to be stuck in the 1930-1950 for the day clothes, and even the 1890-1910 for the long dresses. Why would it be? I understand they are very conservative, but why would the focus their fashion on those periods?
I also wonder if we´ll ever see their faces again.
DeleteIn Japan it's common (long before Covid) to wear facemasks when one's suffering from a cold. It's a way of politeness. Summarizing, it's quite normal to see Japanese people wearing facemasks.
DeleteHer outfit is much too old for her. She is surrounded by older men and an older woman. Apparently they have to wear masks again in Japan.
ReplyDeleteNo one "has" to wear a mask in Japan. They were not even mandatory during the Covid epidemics but everyone wore them. Peer pressure was high even walking outdoors. We still see them in the subway in Tokyo. People wear them out of courtesy if they have a cold. Perhaps special rules apply to the Imperial family.
DeleteMaybe you are right about the "masks". But why the are wearing them now and not yesterday or on another ceremony ?
DeletePerhaps because this was indoors
Deletei like how Aiko is being given the spot light lately, she might as well be the next Empress.
ReplyDeleteVery pretty pale blue suit/dress on Aiko--she looks lovely.
ReplyDeleteJanet
Quel plaisir de voir la princesse Aiko sortir en solo ; la couleur bleu pâle de ce costume lui va à ravir ; j'aurais bien aimé voir le style de ses chaussures !
ReplyDeleteLe style vous pouvez bien imaginer ;).
Delete-SAF
à -SAF, d'accord mais je ne demande qu'à les voir !
DeleteI would like to hear the court music, however interesting Aiko's attire may be.
ReplyDeleteI'm absolutely delighted to see Aiko taking on so many independent engagements lately, and handling them with such proper stature, grace and decorum. If she is enjoying it, I'm doubly pleased for her.
ReplyDeleteI know that Japan has a system of male heirs in their royal system, and there have been rumours of wanting to change that gradually over the next few lines. Hopefully this is a new example and a turn of events to allow female first born an opportunity for a more prominent role within royal duties if they cannot yet be heirs.
- Anon 9:13
I hope so, too.
DeleteVery nice look today. css
ReplyDeleteI feel sorry that sweet and lovely Princess Aiko has to wear these old fashion outfits.
ReplyDeletemjt
@ Anonymous 21:27. I agree.
DeleteI often see Aiko’s attire characterized as old-fashioned or not age-appropriate, but I honestly wonder what would be more pleasing to those who hold that opinion. Mini dresses? Brighter colors, perhaps? I think that Aiko’s suit is very pretty and not particularly different from the outfits that Princess Kako wears. I’m thrilled to finally be seeing her in “grown up” outfits, and as far as the style of clothing worn by the Imperial ladies, I think it is more attractive than the ugly pantsuits we often see on the European royal ladies. — Jane
ReplyDelete@ Jane
DeleteIt are not only the clothes of Princess Aiko that are old fashioned. All the other princesses of the Japanese Imperial court are dressed in former (1950-1960) European style. Princess Kako on the other hand manages to dress a little more up-to-date sometimes. I wonder how she is allowed to do that ? I think you are not familiar with Western fashion. Mini dresses are worn by young girls of 14-16 years when it is hot in the Summer or during the holidays. There are ugly pantsuits and beautiful (very feminine) pantsuits. It depends on the wearer and the budget. The pantsuit worn by CP Elisabeth of Belgium when she met with Barack Obama at the Castle of Laeken was of a very beautiful royal blue, excellent quality and fitted her sportive body very well. I think many young women of her age would like to have a pantsuit like that.
There is a highly contagious Streptococcal bacterium spreading through Japan. That may be the reason for the masks. Elle
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