Fairy Tale Endings: Fairy Dresses in Disney Movies

Once upon a time, fairy tales captured our imaginations and inspired our dreams. From Cinderella’s glass slipper to Snow White’s enchanted mirror, Disney movies have brought these beloved stories to life with stunning visuals and unforgettable characters. And one of the most iconic elements of these fairy tales is the fairy dress – a magical garment that transforms its wearer and helps her achieve her dreams.

Sleeping Beauty

Let’s start with one of the most iconic fairy tale dresses of all time – Princess Aurora’s ball gown in Sleeping Beauty. This classic, romantic dress is a vision in pink and blue, with a fitted bodice, billowing skirt, and delicate details like lace and pearls. It perfectly captures the fairy tale ambiance of the film, with its dreamy colors and intricate design.

But what does this dress say about Aurora’s character? Well, for one thing, it reflects her innocence and purity. Aurora is a kind-hearted, gentle princess who has been sheltered from the world for most of her life. Her dress reflects this by being demure and refined – the opposite of the bold, daring outfits of some of Disney’s other heroines.

At the same time, Aurora’s dress is also a sign of her inner strength. She may be delicate on the outside, but inside she’s a fighter – she’s faced down the evil Maleficent and triumphed over her curse of eternal sleep. Her dress is a symbol of her resilience and determination, as well as her beauty and grace.

Beauty and the Beast

Moving on to another iconic Disney fairy tale – Beauty and the Beast. In this beloved film, Belle’s yellow ball gown is one of the most memorable costumes in the history of cinema. With its flowing skirt, fitted bodice, and long gloves, it’s the epitome of elegance and glamour.

But what’s truly remarkable about Belle’s dress is how it reflects her character arc. At the beginning of the film, Belle is seen as a bookish outcast who doesn’t fit in with the rest of her village. Her simple blue dress reflects her humble origins and her lack of interest in fashion or status.

But as the story unfolds and Belle falls in love with the Beast, she begins to change. She becomes more confident, more self-assured, and more glamorous – and her dress reflects this transformation. When she appears in the yellow gown for the first time, it’s a sign that she’s embracing her newfound beauty and her place in the world. It’s a moment of triumph – both for Belle and for the audience.

The Little Mermaid

Another Disney fairy tale that’s known for its iconic fashion is The Little Mermaid. In this underwater adventure, Ariel’s dress is a shimmering green number that perfectly captures her free-spirited nature and her love of the sea.

But what’s interesting about Ariel’s dress is how it changes throughout the film. At the beginning, she wears a simple seashell bra and a green fishtail – a reflection of her desire to be part of the human world. But once she becomes a human herself, her dress changes to a more traditional ball gown, complete with a fluffy skirt and a sparkly bodice.

This shift in costume reflects Ariel’s inner struggle between her love of the sea and her desire to be with Prince Eric. By wearing a more human-style dress, she’s showing that she’s willing to make sacrifices to be with the man she loves. But at the same time, she never loses her connection to the ocean – her dress still has a mermaid-style flair, with its iridescent green fabric and flowing skirt.

Aladdin

Moving on to another Disney classic – Aladdin. In this film, Jasmine’s outfits are some of the most striking and memorable of any Disney princess. From her turquoise harem pants to her red wedding dress, Jasmine’s costumes are a reflection of her fiery spirit and her independence.

But perhaps the most iconic outfit of all is her purple two-piece ensemble, complete with a midriff-baring top and billowing pants. This outfit perfectly captures Jasmine’s rebellious nature and her refusal to be constrained by the expectations of her society.

In fact, the costume designer for Aladdin, Mona May, has said that she intentionally designed Jasmine’s outfits to be practical and empowering. She wanted Jasmine to feel like a real, three-dimensional character – not just a pretty princess in a frilly dress. And Jasmine’s purple outfit is a perfect example of this – it’s bold, daring, and unapologetically sexy.