I was five when I dressed up as Aurora for Halloween. Holding a fairy wand in my left hand while my pink glove gripped an overflowing candy bag in the other, I felt overjoyed to be dressed up as my favorite princess.
My experience is not out of the ordinary. It seems that Disney princess movies are woven into the American childhood experience. From road trips to second-grade movie days, everyone has been touched by Disney to some degree.
This past winter break, while watching “Frozen” with my younger cousin, I began to wonder- Why do these princesses look so different compared to past historical figures from the same time period?
After conducting my research, I realized that Disney does not value historical accuracy as much as it values having princesses reflect contemporary beauty ideals of the decade in which they were created.
The 1937 Disney animation film, “Snow White”, is set to have taken place in mid-1500s Germany. Surprisingly, this is one of the more historically accurate dresses featured in the franchise.
During this time, Sumptuary Laws were passed that dictated which clothing different classes could wear. Specific styles, like Snow White’s slashed sleeves, were generally reserved for royalty.
Her outfit features a high-standing collar, signaling nobility because the wearer did not have to engage in manual labor.
However, many parts of her dress would be considered scandalous. Clothing styles usually prioritized modesty, especially in regal women. Snow White’s bare arms would have been considered improper.
In addition, Snow White’s shoes and makeup are very 1930s. The defining look of the decade was thin eyebrows, rosy cheeks and dark mascara. Even Snow White’s face was modeled after actress and inventor Hedy Lamarr.
While Snow’s look reflected some aspects of 1500s Germany, she was mainly used to draw in audiences that wanted to witness “wholesome femininity” during the Great Depression.
Her youthful face and bright colors showed that audiences valued comfort over realism. She represented hope, domestic skills and nurturing values. Movies during the Great Depression were commonly a form of escapism.
Another beloved princess, Belle, from the 1990 movie, “Beauty and the Beast” also encountered issues with historical accuracy. The film is set in 1760s pre-revolutionary France.
Panniers, which were used to create wide hips in ballgowns, were popular attire in France. The wider the pannier, the higher the prestige.
Because the Beast was a prince, he would have access to ballgowns that weren’t so form-fitting. An off-the-shoulder neckline would have been considered unfashionable.
The bright yellow gown also would have been nearly impossible to achieve, as dyes in the era produced paler colors. As with Snow, Belle’s look reflects the 1990s beauty standards. With her soft hair, regard for intelligence and gentle demeanor, the ‘90s rewarded heroines who were intelligent but nonthreatening.
While this was a step up from past generations, women were still expected to be feminine. Women could read books and have dreams, but they still had to remain romantically desirable.
Now, flash forward to the 2010s. “Tangled”, released in 2010, features Rapunzel. The directors were inspired by 1780s Germany.
The purple dress mixes styles from across time periods with puffed sleeves, a square neckline and an empire waist. In the 1780s, her short skirt would be viewed as revealing.
While a nod to Rapunzel’s regal status, the bright purple color would have been difficult to achieve since dye came from natural sources. Because dyes came from natural sources, a bright electric purple would have been difficult to create.
Rapunzel also cleanly fit into the beauty standard with wide-eyes and minimal makeup. The early 2010s saw a rise in “quirkiness” being endearing, so Disney’s animation style started to lean toward youthfulness.
When comparing these three princesses, a pattern is evident in what’s deemed desirable in society. From innocence to intelligence to relatability, a clear shift emerges in how each generation reimagines the ideal princess.
While Disney may not be historically accurate, we can still consider them cultural time capsules. Viewers are able to witness how societal beauty standards have changed across decades.
Hinz can be reached at [email protected].
