How Disney Characters Have Inspired Modern Day Trends
Disney has been a part of our lives since we were born from the Disney movies, the Disney characters, and the vacation goal of going to Disney World. Lion King, Lilo and Stich, Bambi, Mulan, just to name a few, were saviors for our parents because they made us stop crying or bitching about being tired and wanting to take a nap. Ahhh… the good old days, when we had absolutely nothing to do, but eat and sleep.
We would dress as these characters for Halloween... or just because. I dressed as Mulan for three whole days in a row, because it was my favorite costume and people thought it was cute. Now, if I wear the same outfit for three days in a row just because it’s my favorite, I am either a weirdo or have no sense of hygiene.
However, our Disney obsessions stretched far beyond our costumes. We had tees, shorts, and kicks with our favorite characters on them (and we’d be feeling ourselves so much when we wore them). Our favorite character was our favorite outfit piece and we didn’t even know what the word “outfit” meant at the time.
Now, in college we are still fans of what we now call ‘the classics,' but we don’t express it as much in our everyday attire as we used to… or do we? Other than brands having their own Disney collection, like Vans or Uniqlo.
Have you ever stopped to think about how much these characters have influenced the fashion world? No? Well, think again. Disney characters were years ahead in the trends we see around campus and our diaper-pooping-selves didn’t even know it. Check these Disney trendsetters out:
- Aladdin’s Princess Jasmine and Aladdin– Genie Pants and Joggers
Princess J and Aladdin were so ahead with this comfy look, while we were trying on our not-so-practical denim mini-miniskirts.
- The Little Mermaid’s Princess Ariel – Bralettes
Ariel wore a bra for a top and we were just hiding ours for all these years. Girls were just using them for the function a.k.a. keep our boobs in place. Boobs-smoobs! What do you see in almost every music festival outfit? Exactly, bralettes for tops. Thanks, Ariel.
- 101 Dalmation’s Cruella de Vil – Faux Fur Coats
Yes, Cruella was a villain, but a villain with pure class and glamour. She flaunted that faux fur coat (Yes, faux because we all love our animals) that many are now sporting around campus to add sophistication to their look and just feel ballin’.
- Cinderella’s Cinderella – Chokers
You think about Cinderella take pity on the fact that she was poor and miserable, but then her fairy godmother helped her out with a wardrobe update and she found her Prince Charming. And we all lived happily ever after…. No, there is something else. Fairy godmother blessed Cinderella with a rocking velvet chucker. Chokers are a staple piece for many outfits roaming around school today.
- The Nightmare Before Christmas’ Sally – Patchwork
The Nylon Magazine Fall Issue stated that patchwork was going to be the it garment for this fall and winter and Dr.Finkelstein was way beyond that when he created Sally.
- Hercules’ Hercules – Gladiator Sandals
It’s not trending now because of the weather, but Gladiator sandals are a classic go-to when the sun is out. Hercules and all the characters in the movie know what’s up.
Change of perspective? Be on the lookout for these iconic characters and their wardrobes; just because they’re fictional doesn’t mean you can’t make their style a reality. Style inspo everywhere and anywhere. Maybe we should let Disney have a runway of their own.