Most of the world seems familiar with the famous Disney princesses, from Snow White to Pocahontas their likenesses are burned into our memory, fan or not. What makes them so iconic? Many would argue it was their lavish and flowing costumes, based on historical fashion. But just how correct are those period fashionable dresses? Claire Hummel, an illustrator with a passion for historically accurate costuming recently reworked many of the famous ladies, giving them new garb fitting a stylish member of their periods society. As you can see in her version of Snow White above (based on early 16th century Germany), many of the original Disney costumes weren’t far off, while a few are vastly different.
Pocahontas based on 17th century Powhatan costume
Cinderella's dress is based on the mid-1860s
Jasmine is based on rare drawings of pre-Islamic Middle Eastern fashion
Sleeping Beauty based on the year 1485
Ariel's dress is based on 1890's evening gown fashion
Belle's dress is based on 1770's French court fashion
Tiana's dress is based on Jazz-Age fashion
Mulan is based on the mixed fashions of Wei, Han and Ming Dynasty.
