When most people think “Classic Disney Princess,” Cinderella is one of the first that comes to mind. She has a perfect fairytale story, a gorgeous blue dress, and even her own castle in Walt Disney World. So, of course, this series would not be complete without a post about the ever so beautiful Cinderella.
Like the previous articles of this series, the purpose of this article is to use a childhood idol as inspiration for outfits that you can actually pull off as a college student. All it takes is a little creativity!
Once again, thank you all for your support! I’ve had a blast writing posts about fashion inspired by Walt Disney’s Snow White, Walt Disney’s Sleeping Beauty, and Walt Disney’s The Little Mermaid, and I’m excited to continue the series with the rest of the Princesses, as well as other Disney characters and villains. Now, read on for Cinderella!
About Cinderella: Plot Overview
The story begins with Cinderella’s life as a servant: once a normal child and the apple of her father’s eye, Cinderella’s life was turned upside down when her father unexpectedly died. Upon her father’s death, Cinderella’s stepmother, Lady Tremaine, and her two evil stepsisters, Drizella and Anastasia, forced her to become their servant.
One day, the King of the land invites every unmarried woman to a ball because he is determined to find a suitable wife for the Prince. Lady Tremaine, thinking her terms would make it impossible, tells Cinderella that she can go to the ball if she finishes all of her chores and finds a decent ballgown to wear. Her friends, the mice and birds, help her to finish her chores and make a dress. When she puts on the dress in front of her family, her wicked stepsisters are so jealous of her beauty that they tear it apart. In tears, Cinderella runs to the garden while her family leaves for the ball without her.
All hope is not lost, however: in the garden, Cinderella meets her magical fairy godmother, who transforms her torn dress into a beautiful ballgown, a pumpkin into a carriage, and the mice into coachmen. She also gives Cinderella a gorgeous pair of glass slippers. She tells Cinderella she can go to the ball, but warns her that the spell will expire at the stroke of midnight.
At the ball, Cinderella and the Prince fall in love with each other and dance the night away. So consumed by the Prince, Cinderella forgets to check the time, and at the stroke of midnight, she realizes her mistake and runs away as quickly as she can. All that is left of her is a single glass slipper, which the Prince finds and keeps.
Determined to find his true love, the Prince goes to every household and asks each girl to try on the slipper. After narrowly escaping being locked in the attic by Lady Tremaine, Cinderella tries on the slipper and it is, of course, a perfect fit. She marries the Prince and they, of course, live happily ever after.
1. Cinderella the Servant
As a servant, Cinderella was not allowed to wear anything as fancy and elaborate as the clothes her stepsisters wore; her outfits were plain and simple.
The outfit I made to channel her look is comfy and casual, but is a bit beyond your average tee and shorts. The colors tone down the outfit so that it isn’t flashy, but the feminine details draw just the right amount of attention. Wearing this outfit doesn’t require you to be a servant, but it looks so comfortable that you probably wouldn’t mind getting on your feet and doing a few chores in it!
Cardigan- Calypso, Hat- Forever 21, Shirt- K Karl Lagerfeld, Shorts- Modcloth, Scarf- Lori’s Shoes, Shoes- Tom’s
2. Before the Transformation
When Cinderella ran to the garden, she was very upset that her stepsisters had ruined her beautiful dress, although in reality, she still looked great on screen. I decided to recreate this scene through an outfit with a one-shouldered pink dress, and floral accessories inspired by the garden.
Rose Headband- Top Shop, Sequin Clutch- Fred Flare, Dress- Miss Selfridge, Ring- Top Shop, Shoes- AMI Clubwear
3. Casual Cinderella
Cinderella meets the Prince while wearing an extravagant blue dress, but you don’t need an invitation to a royal ball to be inspired by it.
The outfit below includes a more casual blue dress that is simple, although the intricate details and cream colored accessories make it feminine and elegant as well. The mouse ring gives a nod to Cinderella’s loyal mouse friends, and the watch locket necklace is to make sure you remember when the clock strikes midnight.
Hair Bow- Modcloth, Mouse Ring- Modcloth, Shoes- Shop Ruche, Dress- Modcloth, Earrings- Miss Selfridge, Necklace- Modcloth, Clutch-Endless
4. Cinderella at the Ball
If you do have to get dressed up for a formal occasion, Cinderella can be a great source of inspiration.
For the outfit below, I paired a gorgeous blue dress with significant Cinderella accessories. In today’s society, clear heels are often thought of as not-so-classy (although Prada has done some great lucite heels that are, unfortunately, way out of my budget) so I decided not to include the iconic glass slipper. To make up for that, though, I did include lucite jewelry and a clutch with a lucite handle in reference to it.
Earrings- Jessica Simpson, Shoes- Windsor, Dress- ASOS, Necklace- Piperlime, Clutch- Speigel
What do you think?
For more Cinderella outfit ideas, be sure to see our guide to outfits inspired by our favorite live-action Disney films.
Does Cinderella inspire you? Which Cinderella look is your favorite? What other Disney-inspired looks would you like to see in this series? Be sure to leave your thoughts in a comment!
Too cute! Once again great job. I think my favorite is the first one because it is such a unique approach to the dress poor Cinderella had to wear while she cleaned. Can we see Mulan or Jasmine soon? 🙂
This is adorable! I love Cinderella, she is my favorite Disney princess and you did such a great job on the servant Cinderella I’d have to say casual Cinderella is my second favorite!
Another great article Calli!! Keep it up, these are my favorite!
I love the third outfit! Can you do tinkerbell or even Peter Pan?! =)
I’m so glad you did this post! Cinderella is my favorite Disney princess. I want to buy all the dresses in this post.
In my opinion this is the best Disney Princess post yet! Maybe I’m biased because I love subtle feminine details and the color blue so much haha
lovee it my favorite 🙂
Definitely tied for the best post in the series, along with Snow White. Really curious to see who you do next, and I’m suprised no one has suggested the newest princess Tiana! Plus, its great to see LSU represented here, Geaux Tigers!
This one may be my favorite! I love itt 🙂
CALLIII this is awesome. I WANT TO SEE A VILLAIN SHOW ME YOUR DARK SIDE. like the queen of hearts, or Ursula, or The Queen from Snow White, or Maleficent (sleeping beauty)
or pocohantis? if she even is a princess. or jasmine. some kind of cultural mix. YOUR BIGGEST FAN MICHAEL IVAN SFLAJWFHALJKERHFLJSDH OIQRHAJFD!!!!!!
I love this!! are we going to see Belle soon? I’m wondering what will you suggest as her yellow gown!! 😀
This was a nice post. But another good option would be to probably include a Part II for the made for TV version in 1997 with Brandy. The costumes in the movie were so colorful and unique, it’d be nice to see replicated and modified for every day wear.
Keep up the good work!
Your Disney Princess posts always amaze me! Awesome job!
I know this is a challenge, but I love Princess Jasmine and I was wondering if you could do a Fashion Inspiration post on her outfits!
I found a website of some of her clothing to help you out: http://www.streetrat.net/princess-jasmine%e2%80%99s-dresses-the-ultimate-list
Thanks so much!
Great looks no. 1 and 2. You captured the servant look perfectly and made it look chic!
Best one yet! I love this series!
Wow! This is definitely the BEST and my favorite Disney princesses article to date! I could see any college girl wearing the above. My favorite is your interpretation of Cinderella’s servant outfit. It’s cute and comfortable but still easy to see how it looks like Cinderella’s original outfit. But I also like the third and last outfits. They’re very sweet interpretations without looking costumey or too childish to wear. I would even go as far as to say that the last outfit looks sexy! Kudos man. Great job. 😀 – I can’t wait for the next update!
Calli!!!
SImply done and beautiful. I enjoyed this article probably more than the Little Mermaid. Keep them coming and keep up the good work.
Love You
Love this so much. Cinderella is my favorite Disney Princess, and this article is fantastic!
Please do Belle!! I sent an email asking for her ! haha. I love all of these outfits but my favourite is the second one before the transformation! Oh and can you please do Jasmine from Aladdin>?
Wow! My fav is the first one because of the beautiful harmony with the colors.
I am, however, looking forward to a post on a princess who is not so obviously anglo-saxon…
I love the casual cinderella!!! Its absolutely beautiful n.n! Thanks for doing this articles are awesome!
This series is wonderful, everytime i look at my google reader “college fashion” section I’m waiting for another disney princess post! i love your attention to detail like the mouse ring and lucite jewelery. Awesome creativity!!! =) Can’t wait to see more!
I agree, do Tinkerbell! I know she has one outfit, but it would be interesting to see different takes on it.
Loved the Casual Cinderella look! The Cinderella at the Ball dress was so interesting, not where I thought you were going to go with the look, but a really great choice. I also really love how you included Tom’s Shoes. It is a great company and the shoes are really comfy too!
This is spot on, I want all of the outfits here.
I loooooovveee the disney inspiration outfits! Belle next? Ohhh or Jasmine?
Wow I usually don’t post comments, but had to give you kudos for this creative post! Very smart and the outfits are actually very cute!!!
Calli-wonderful post! I try not to choose favorites, but I have to say that I think you are indeed my favorite CF writer. So glad to see a fellow LSU girl doing such great work-Geaux Tigers!
Did anyone see the beautiful blue tea length dress Rodarte designed for Target last winter? I can’t help but feel like Cinderella every time I wear it!
Please do Jasmine next =)
Gorgeous! The first outfit is sooo adorable…. and I like your interpretation of the pink “ripped up” dress before the transformation.
Great job!!! 😀
The second outfit was my favorite, it was really interesting. And please do Princess Jasmine!
I love the first outfit. Ever so creative. You must go on. Mulan, Aladdin, oh maybe even Beauty and the Beast? You’re doing awesome.
i liked the first outfit, especially all the rose accessories!
belle or jasmine next please (:
Its all so adorable (:
i would really like to see one for jasmine because im dressing up as her and I really have no clue on what to do :S
u did a great job 😀
Do an inspiration on Taylor Swift’s love story video please!
cinderella, the classic number one ! you’re right, she’s the most popular princess , however, she’s not really my favorite one I find her too simple . too blond, too kind …. whatever, as I’m a fan of disney’s movies, I’m still lovin’ her, no matter her hair color ^^
I love the servant outfit, it’s so light and it seems very comfortable .
The dresses number 2 and 3 are just PERFECT, but I don’t really like the fourth one .
This is such a great idea !
I’m actually into a big “Disney crisis” and I’m glad to see other people who think it’s not ridiculous to be inspired by Disney even when you are no longer a child !
I love your Snow-white, Sleeping-beauty, Ariel and Cinderella’s inspired outfits. Great job ! You captured the movies and princesses’ spirit so well ! I agree with some people, you should do Belle if you find something fitting ! And I would also be glad to see an Esmeralda outfit (yes, she’s not actually a Princess, but still a great and gorgeous character !)
ilike cinderala very nice dress cinderla
this is amazing! i’m obsessed with cinderella, and i always wish i could embody her through my fashion! this is the answer to my wishes! thank you!
cinderella is my favorite disney and snowhite cartoons
i like cinderella she is very beautiful
hahahahaha
it;s my b-day
Wow, this is great! I also really loved your take on the cleaning outfit. What I really love though, is how you made me picture myself in a couple dresses I never would have picked out on my own! Thanks for the fun inspiration, keep going! I’m off to try on some new dresses. 🙂
i like cinderella so much she is so beautifull i love you( _cinderella_ ) 🙂
Great things
Do Merida!
geaux tigers! 🙂
Another good post for this series! My favorite is #1, because it just seems like the perfect summer outfit!
I can’t give you enough props for these articles. Thank you for giving the girls who are forced to be women every day an outlet to be their inner princess. Keep going! Until you have done all the Disney characters! Much love!
this series is the best college fashion has ever featured!
luvit
i love this, its so cute 🙂
I’d love to to a Beauty and the Beast inspired article!!
Wow you did a fantastic job on this one! I’m loving the servant-inspired outfit and the ripped dress-inspired outfit. You did an amazing job with this one.
love this series! And how funny that you did Cinderella, I was just watching Cinderella 3 last night! The casual outfit is so cute! PLEASE do a Belle from Beauty and the Beast soon, she’s my absolute favorite!
I looved the last outfit, that dress is amazing! Great post!
i like cinderella she is beautiful.
i need it!!!
ffffffffffffff
i like cinderella, because cinderella very beautil.. :))