No silly shirts at Apec this year

Leaders pose for a photograph in their designer shirts, after their dinner at the APEC Summit 2009 in Singapore. Photo / Getty Images

Japanese authorities have implored their citizens to "enjoy" Apec, only to promptly kill off one of its lighter moments.

This year's hosts are breaking with tradition and not dressing the leaders in some specially-designed version of their national costume for the standard "team" photograph at this weekend's summit in Yokohama.

Instead of adorning "silly shirts", the leaders of the 21-member grouping of Asia-Pacific economies will pose in smart casual suits.

The tradition started in 1993, when bomber jackets were given to Asia-Pacific leaders at the American-hosted summit at Blake Island in Washington state.

Over the years, the outfits have been as varied as batik shirts and ponchos.