1. What Is Ouji Style?
Ouji style, sometimes called “prince style”, is a subculture of Japanese street fashion that takes inspiration from European aristocratic and Victorian menswear. Unlike Lolita fashion, which leans toward princess-like dresses and frills, Ouji is about creating a princely aesthetic. The style mixes elegance with playfulness and is often seen as the “tomboy” or “androgynous” counterpart to Lolita.
The word “Ouji” (王子) literally means “prince” in Japanese, which perfectly reflects the dandy-like, royal feel of the fashion.
2. What Is the Difference Between Ouji and Lolita?
This is the most common question, and for good reason! While they are sibling styles, they have distinct personalities.
- Silhouette: This is the biggest difference. Lolita is defined by a bell-shaped or A-line skirt supported by a petticoat, creating a pronounced volume at the hips. Ouji is defined by a top-heavy silhouette, with volume focused on the shoulders and sleeves (through blouson sleeves or jackets) and tapering down to fitted shorts or trousers.
- Aesthetic & Vibe: Lolita often emphasizes hyper-femininity, cuteness (“kawaii”), and innocence. Ouji leans into nobility, adventure, and a sense of playful mischief. A Lolita outfit might make you think of a porcelain doll, while an Ouji outfit makes you think of a prince about to embark on a quest.
- Cultural Influence: Both are Japanese street fashions, but their cultural touchstones differ. Lolita is heavily influenced by shōjo manga (girls’ comics) and Victorian romance. Ouji draws more from visual kei music, historical fantasy anime, and the concept of the “bishōnen” (beautiful boy).
3. Can Anyone Wear Ouji Fashion?
Absolutely, yes. This is perhaps the most beautiful aspect of Ouji fashion: it is for everyone. The myth that it’s only for slender, male-presenting individuals is completely false.
Ouji is, at its heart, a gender-fluid or androgynous style. It’s about playing with a princely persona, regardless of your gender identity, body type, or age. The community is overwhelmingly inclusive. The key isn’t your body, but how you assemble the core elements of the style to create that signature silhouette. It’s about the clothes, the attitude, and the art—not the body inside them.
4. Ouji Style Clothing: Building the Princely Wardrobe
So, what do you need to build an Ouji coordinate? Here are the foundational pieces:
- Blouse: The base layer. Look for high-necked blouses with puffed sleeves, lace jabots, and ruffled cuffs.
- Waistcoat (Vest): A crucial piece for adding structure and a layer of detail. It helps define the waist and contributes to the historical feel.
- Jacket: Often a cutsew or a short military-inspired jacket. This adds to the top-heavy silhouette and can feature elaborate braiding, brass buttons, and epaulets.
- Shorts: The most common bottom. Knee-length shorts in velvet, brocade, or matching fabric are a staple. They are often worn over…
- Bloomers: Yes, you read that right! While hidden under Lolita skirts, bloomers are often intentionally visible in Ouji, peeking out from under the shorts to add a puff of volume and a touch of whimsy.
5. Ouji Style Dress
Wait, a dress in a princely style? While less common than separates, Ouji-style dresses do exist! However, they are distinctly different from Lolita dresses.
An Ouji dress typically resembles a coat dress or a long tunic. It will maintain the top-heavy silhouette, perhaps with puffed sleeves and a fitted waist, but it will fall straight down or flare only slightly, avoiding the massive bell-shaped petticoat of Lolita. It’s a garment that blends the ease of a one-piece outfit with the sharp, regal lines of the Ouji aesthetic.
6. Ouji Style Wigs: The Crown of the Prince
You can’t talk about any Japanese alternative fashion without mentioning wigs. They are the final touch that perfects the transformation.
For Ouji, hairstyles are designed to look elegant yet dynamic. Popular choices include:
- Medium-length bobs with choppy, layered ends.
- Longer styles that are half-up, half-down, often tied with a ribbon or cravat.
- Undercuts or styles with volume on top and shaved sides (even if it’s just the wig!).
Natural colors like browns, blonds, and blacks are classic, but don’t be surprised to see princes with silver, pastel blue, or rose-grey hair—it’s all part of the fantasy.
7. Ouji Style in Chinese
The global fashion community has embraced Ouji with open arms, and the Chinese scene is particularly vibrant. In Chinese, Ouji fashion is written as 王子系 (Wángzǐ xì), which directly translates to “Prince Style.”
Platforms like Xiaohongshu (Little Red Book) and Taobao are massive hubs for 王子系 enthusiasts. Chinese indie brands have become powerhouses in the scene, creating incredibly detailed and high-quality Ouji pieces that are sought after worldwide. The Chinese interpretation often blends traditional Ouji elements with a distinctively elegant, sometimes more romantic, sensibility.
8. Ouji Fashion for Females
Many women and female-presenting individuals are powerfully drawn to Ouji style. For many, it’s a form of expression that exists outside the traditional bounds of femininity. It allows for the exploration of a dashing, powerful, and noble aesthetic without sacrificing an ounce of elegance or detail.
It’s a celebration of androgyny—a way to feel powerful, handsome, and regal. Ouji provides a space where women can be the prince instead of the princess, exploring a different side of their identity through clothing.
9. Ouji Pants: Beyond the Shorts
While shorts are the iconic bottom, pants play a vital and versatile role in Ouji fashion.
- Knee-Length Shorts: The undisputed king of Ouji bottoms. They are tailored and crisp.
- Bloomers: Worn underneath shorts (or sometimes on their own for a more casual look), they provide the essential puff that completes the silhouette.
- Trousers: For a more dapper, mature, or military-inspired look, full-length trousers are perfect. Think fitted pants, sailor-style wide-leg pants, or even breeches that buckle just below the knee. They offer a different kind of princely vibe—one that’s ready for a formal ball or a strategic meeting at the palace.
Ultimately, Ouji fashion is an invitation to play, to create, and to embody a character of your own design. It’s a testament to the fact that fashion has no rules, only inspiration.
Final Thoughts
Ouji style is more than just clothing—it’s a way to step into a character and embody a princely persona. Whether you are male, female, or nonbinary, Ouji fashion allows you to explore elegance, fantasy, and individuality in a unique way.
From its historical inspirations to its modern-day adaptations across the globe, Ouji continues to be a beloved part of Japanese fashion culture.