Disney Costumes Inspire Imagination

I’m sure we’ve all had a phase of dressing up in Disney character costume. I know I did. I used to love putting on my Snow White dress or my Minnie Mouse ears and pretending I was in another land far away. My sister would dawn her Cinderella dress and together, we played pretend. Disney movies were always on in our house; I can remember a time when I got my VHS tape of Snow White stuck in the tape player. Though Disney movies today, especially the ones with a Princess as the main character are board line taboo, I challenge any distaste for them. A lot of debate surrounding these movies focuses on the gender stereotypes presented. Yes, I do see the controversy here and I am all for sending a positive message of strong powerful woman who don’t need no man. But, when these characters are embodied through play, any stereotypes that might be associated are tossed at the door. In my own experience of play, I felt nothing but empowerment putting on these costumes. When I put on my Snow White dress, I knew that I could stand up to any evil queen who tried to poison me, welcome any person into my home with a swish of my dress, and care for animals who looked to me for comfort. These costumes allowed me to imagine infinite possibilities. When I dressed up in a costume of a character that I idolized, it become armor.