Princess Hisako of Takamado travelled to Toyama City yesterday to officially open Arctic Science Summit Week. For this honour, Princess Hisako wore a cream straw hat we have not seen on her before. At its base, this hat is quite simple- it’s a classic bowler with rounded crown and short, folded brim. The trim, a wide fluted band anchored to the base of the crown, gives structural interest to the piece and makes the bowler shape disappear. I’m not sure this hat is entirely successful (it looks like it has two unrelated brims) but is is a creative shape and I’m all about encouraging millinery experimentation with the Imperial royals. This piece immediately reminded me of Queen Beatrix’s ‘spool’ hats– what do you think of it?
Designer: unknown
Previously Worn: This hat is new
Photo from Kitanippon Shimbun
Royal Hats 
I don’t care for the hat, but I do appreciate that Princess Hisako looks energetic and engaged at all her public appearances. You get the impression she’s a very active patron and one who takes pleasure in her imperial duties. A real trooper.
Have you ever been to the circus and seen those spinning plates acrobats use…..this hat looks a bit like one of them. That being said though, I kinda like it. The proportions are okay, we can see her face and….it’s not a bowler, which doesn’t ever look any good, so I think it’s a winner, of sorts!!
Not her best hat, but certainly not terrible. Maybe it’s a subtle nod to the Artic ice?
Agreed, it is nice to see the Imperials try something new, but this is not a flattering look.
Flying saucer?
Oh dear, I thought the same thing when I saw it……but thank goodness it’s not one of those headbands with glued flowers or whatever they put on headbands. It’s something new for the IRF and that I think is a first………..maybe they are experimenting with hats..a great first step.
I don’t like the hat. It looks to me like one hat worn atop another.