As life has become downsized to that of four walls and socialising has been reframed as social-distancing; a reevaluation of how ones time is spent has buoyed to new significance.
Though aimed at fraught parents desperately trying to occupy busy children; Disney+ has lulled me in with its wealth of choice, namely the amount of 90's and 00's classics I'd long forgotten. During my first day's induction, I watched six films - needless to say it was a complete and total immersion into the Disney world.
I began with 'The Parent Trap' and ended with '10 Things I Hate About You' and by the end of my marathon I was convinced that I too wanted to dress like a Disney star. Whilst the immediate inspiration for my imagined entrance outfit (post-quarantine) was more Cinderella than Lizzie McGuire, by the days end, I was a convert and have since been all consumed in reappropriating some of the fashion take aways from my foray into Disney+.
The Parent Trap
Not to provoke any of the purists, but I chose the Lindsay Lohan version, being a child of the 90s and thus favouring the remake over the original. Taste aside, in a film whose premise is based upon identical twins discovering each other and attempting to reunite their estranged parents; fashion is the unacknowledged triplet, acting to establish and reinforce two very different characters.
Annie with her two-tone pumps, twin sets and Chanel-esque tweed skirt suits, offering a more refined, sophisticated take on 90's dressing, not unlike the cardigan clad, By Far toting, strappy sandal wearing influencers of today. And Hallie in flannel shirts, denim cut-offs and collegiate sports wear, all items that gained new traction following the viral Vogue Paris feature in which the leisure wear looks of Princess Diana were reimagined. The film also has tie-dye (the breakout pandemic pastime), 90's hairstyles (Bella Hadid obviously watched this film too), that handshake (we've all tried it) and an appearance from Janice of 'Friends' (minus the trilling cackle).
Sister Act 2
Full disclosure, during my binge, I watched both Sister Act 1 & 2. However, with Lauryn Hill playing the troubled and troublesome teen, my favourite has always been the second instalment of the nun's escapades. While others seek to conform, Deloris is unable to be anything but herself, even whilst donning a habit (and under witness protection!)
Clothing is used throughout as a vehicle for personal expression, as the teen's represent a new perspective, challenging convention and snubbing conformity. The figurative embracement of their individuality culminates in their literal refusal of uniformity as they strip off their robes during their musical crescendo to reveal a smorgasbord of 90s fashion. Cycling shorts and cropped tops, oversized shirts worn mid-waist, Dr Martens and chunky footwear, high-rise denim and dungarees; a veritable who's who of current fashion wonts.
Never Been Kissed
Previous to my recent deluge into Disney's back catalogue, the defining moment of this film was the heartbreaking prom egging. Though I never experienced this exact situation, it does conjure up uncomfortable memories of teen-hood and that overwhelming need to fit in. However, on second watch, the fashion is unavoidable. As Josie tries to navigate high school as a twenty-something, her discomfort and desperation manifest in her outfit choices.
Her first day revisiting high school involved frosted eyeshadow, concealer lips and a feather boa. Despite this being a covert operation to expose the truth of teenage schooling, this outfit instead highlighted Josie as a clueless outsider and cemented her status as a wannabe. However, from the perspective of 2020, feather trim is the accoutrement of choice, from going out wear, bougie pyjamas and accessories that you need to fluff before wearing. Though it should be noted that frosted eyeshadow and paled out lips are never a choice look...
Freaky Friday
Another remake featuring Lindsay Lohan, another reminder of the transformative power of fashion. This truly was the golden era of LiLo (RIP - I can feel a 'Mean Girls' viewing coming soon too). Anna is an angsty teen, who nobody understands and who dreams of being a rockstar; cue low slung combat trousers, battered converse trainers and kohl rimmed eyes. I'm not positing that one adopt whole looks from this particular film as it is a very Disney-fied version of rebellion.
However, elements are definitely classic cool-girl staples, as relevant today as they were then. The band's outfits feature looks not unlike those at 'I. Am. Gia', with tartan, exposed zippers and layered tank tops offering almost lookalike versions for those who wish to truly immerse themselves in all things freaky regardless of the day. With everyone from Kaia Gerber to the Jenners and Hadids embracing the loose fit cargo pants, chain detail trailing from arse pockets and tight fitted tops offsetting oversized bottoms. Even the questionable streaky hair dye is having a revival - though for this I blame quarantine boredom.
10 Things I Hate About You
In a somewhat cheesy proclamation, I could list 10 things I like about this film with ease. Full disclosure, I could list more than 10 things that I like, but I'll curb my gushing at just the fashion. The film offers two very different versions of noughties style; preppy and perennially pissed off. Kat favours hip huggers, hung so low that they defy gravity in their ability to remain anywhere but about her ankles; mermaid-like hair tempting stares despite her determinedly eschewing the male gaze; midriff peeking out playfully despite her prickly demeanour; and chunky flatform sandals, the likes of which everyone from Teva to Chanel have created a variation of.
In contrast, Kat's sister, Bianca is forever in lace trimmed camisoles and calf-grazing midi-skirts. Her hair accessories are likely to feature a flower, she probably smells like bubblegum and her dilemmas range from which she loves more, 'her sketchers or her Prada backpack?' and whether she'll get to go to prom with the jock. Despite Kat's attitude (all a defence to hide a deeper hurt fyi) and Bianca's short sighted naivety; the sisters' looks are as enviable as they are different and with emotions somewhat tumultuous during this time, their looks act to offer inspiration whatever your mood (or moods) may be.
And now back to Disney+; the Princess Diaries is calling...
Annie with her two-tone pumps, twin sets and Chanel-esque tweed skirt suits, offering a more refined, sophisticated take on 90's dressing, not unlike the cardigan clad, By Far toting, strappy sandal wearing influencers of today. And Hallie in flannel shirts, denim cut-offs and collegiate sports wear, all items that gained new traction following the viral Vogue Paris feature in which the leisure wear looks of Princess Diana were reimagined. The film also has tie-dye (the breakout pandemic pastime), 90's hairstyles (Bella Hadid obviously watched this film too), that handshake (we've all tried it) and an appearance from Janice of 'Friends' (minus the trilling cackle).
Sister Act 2
Clothing is used throughout as a vehicle for personal expression, as the teen's represent a new perspective, challenging convention and snubbing conformity. The figurative embracement of their individuality culminates in their literal refusal of uniformity as they strip off their robes during their musical crescendo to reveal a smorgasbord of 90s fashion. Cycling shorts and cropped tops, oversized shirts worn mid-waist, Dr Martens and chunky footwear, high-rise denim and dungarees; a veritable who's who of current fashion wonts.
Never Been Kissed
Her first day revisiting high school involved frosted eyeshadow, concealer lips and a feather boa. Despite this being a covert operation to expose the truth of teenage schooling, this outfit instead highlighted Josie as a clueless outsider and cemented her status as a wannabe. However, from the perspective of 2020, feather trim is the accoutrement of choice, from going out wear, bougie pyjamas and accessories that you need to fluff before wearing. Though it should be noted that frosted eyeshadow and paled out lips are never a choice look...
Freaky Friday
However, elements are definitely classic cool-girl staples, as relevant today as they were then. The band's outfits feature looks not unlike those at 'I. Am. Gia', with tartan, exposed zippers and layered tank tops offering almost lookalike versions for those who wish to truly immerse themselves in all things freaky regardless of the day. With everyone from Kaia Gerber to the Jenners and Hadids embracing the loose fit cargo pants, chain detail trailing from arse pockets and tight fitted tops offsetting oversized bottoms. Even the questionable streaky hair dye is having a revival - though for this I blame quarantine boredom.
10 Things I Hate About You
In contrast, Kat's sister, Bianca is forever in lace trimmed camisoles and calf-grazing midi-skirts. Her hair accessories are likely to feature a flower, she probably smells like bubblegum and her dilemmas range from which she loves more, 'her sketchers or her Prada backpack?' and whether she'll get to go to prom with the jock. Despite Kat's attitude (all a defence to hide a deeper hurt fyi) and Bianca's short sighted naivety; the sisters' looks are as enviable as they are different and with emotions somewhat tumultuous during this time, their looks act to offer inspiration whatever your mood (or moods) may be.
And now back to Disney+; the Princess Diaries is calling...
(Photos via: poosh.com, eonline.com, Allure.com, cokkiesandsangria.com, thebudgetfashionista.com, whowhatwear.co.uk, @mathildadjerf, pinterest.com, vogue.com & wmagazine.com)
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