Disney princesses and characters have long been a source of inspiration in the fashion world. Synonymous with femininity, grace, and elegance, these figures have been used by designers and brands worldwide to inspire their creations and spread feminine style across the globe. Think Tinkerbell, Cinderella, Belle, Snow White, the list goes on.
What all have in common is an effortless yet put together look that transcends the limits of trends and seasonal dressing. Each have one (or sometimes more) iconic look that defines their style, and is usually made up of a gown and maybe a few accessories that compliment it perfectly. If this is the kind of inspiration you’re after, perhaps for a big event, then keep reading. We’ve compiled the ideal, concise profile on how to dress like one of these icons and how you can wear their look in a modern, updated way.
Younger Girls
Firstly, younger girls, and even toddlers (if they’ve got a sense of personal style), might want to interpret this in a slightly different way to older girls. With younger girls it’s important to keep things simple and fun; you really shouldn’t take fashion too seriously at this age. However, it’s no secret that many of us love dressing up after watching the leading ladies of Disney films dazzle in their glittering, gorgeous ball gowns. One way to reinvent the look is to choose a piece with a puffball skirt or a shape that is enlarged or slightly exaggerated.
For example, this pearl blue gown is perfect for those of you looking for something Cinderella-inspired.
In a similar hue to the dreamy pastel blue worn by Cinderella when she goes to the ball, this piece emanates elegance and opulence. With puffed sleeves and a puffed skirt, more is more here, without being too overpowering. One top tip: if going big in one area of your outfit, go less on another. As seen here, the exaggerated silhouette is balanced by the cool, understated colour of the fabric. And to finish off that ultimate Cinderella look, complete the ensemble with an Alice band or headband just like the princess herself. Massively popular with high-end designers in recent seasons, like Simone Rocha and Prada, headbands are both fun and on-trend and they’re a super simple way to add some extra detail without having to put too much effort in.
Colour-coded
When it comes to taking inspiration from these classic fairy tale figures, we easily think of the vibrant, resplendent colours we see them in that exude feelings of luxury and glamour. Green is certainly another of these colours; powerful female characters like Tinkerbell and Princess Tiana are automatically associated with this colour as it echoes that of their iconic, eye-catching looks. This jewel green satin party gown is one chic way to style a green outfit; the rich jewel tone is completed in a luxe tulle fabric with waterfall pleats and an adorned trio of jewelled hearts. Tulle has always been a material associated with femininity and glamour, so this small touch is a subtle way of demonstrating your fashion knowledge at the same time.
But if you’re looking to implement green into your wardrobe in a slightly subtler way, try it with accessories rather than clothing.
This gorgeous festive green clutch is one example; the apple shape is reminiscent of the story of Snow White and the velvet texture with gold finishing echoes the luxury and grandiosity of that fairy tale Disney world.
If you’re a teen, or slightly older girl, you might want to approach this fashion trend in a more nuanced manner. When we picture Disney princesses, we sometimes come up with stereotypes: pink, fluffy, glittery, over-the-top, and the list goes on. Though a touch of melodrama and exaggeration is necessary when it comes to fantasy, this isn’t always everyone’s taste.
This green brocade party dress is especially Tinkerbell-esque with the flared hem and vivid bright green metallic fabric. The straighter silhouette, compared to those above, is far subtler, and allows the details and embellishments to really shine.
On the other hand, something like this bouclé number assures maturity and sophistication.
Bouclé refers to “both to a type of knotted, irregular novelty yarn and to the knitted or woven fabrics made from it”, and is often associated with brands like Chanel, whose iconic bouclé suits are the very image of feminine elegance and style. This is a great example of how to interpret a trend in a unique and clever way; though inspired by the colours of a certain character’s costume or outfit, it can still be executed in a way that’s completely different to the original inspiration look, combining the real and the fantasy to create something new and original.
Accessories
Perhaps one of the most famous parts of the Disney fairy tales, however, is Cinderella losing her glass slipper. And that brings us to our final section: shoes! Shoes can complete any lacklustre outfit, and you can even build a whole look around them, so never forget to pay close attention to them. Like the sparkling glass slipper, you could choose something in either a metallic colour or covered in sequins or embellishments to pay homage to Cinderella’s era-defining look. Back in 2012, world-famous shoe designer, Christian Louboutin, designed a shoe inspired by the legendary princess proving not only the tale’s timelessness, but also the enduring appeal of the princess aesthetic.
Whether you’ve got a special event or just want some inspiration for the everyday, this classic trend will never go out of style. With fairy-tale stories constantly being reinvented, remade and redeveloped across film, fashion and more, you can be assured that there are endless interpretations you can adopt and implement into your wardrobe.
You can use a single colour as a starting point, as we have seen, since most Disney princesses are associated with a particular one; Cinderella has blue, Sleeping Beauty has pink, and Belle has yellow, to name a few. Or, place your own twist on things and choose an accessory or theme to base an outfit around and make it completely your own. Whatever it is you want to take from this, you can be guaranteed that it will make you not only look fabulous, but also feel it too.