Rapunzel Disneybound
Disneybound Linkup
I am so happy to be partnering with Cassie Creley from Starlight in the Storm (you might remember her from this post). We talked about doing a linkup for a while, and fortunately she is just as much of a dress-up girl as me…..who also loves Disney and all things imaginative! Our challenge? To do a disneybound of our favorite princess!
I must confess that this one stumped me for a little bit! There are so many princesses that I love and I just kept going back and forth in my mind of who I wanted to pick. Was I going to pick my childhood favorite, someone that I most admire, or the one that I most relate to? As you likely guessed from the title, I eventually landed on Rapunzel from Tangled! Though it was a close call, I am happy with my choice and hope it shows! I won’t tell you who the runner-up was—you’ll just have to wait and see another time!
The Outfit
As a reminder, disneybounding is when you dress up in a modern, similar version of the character based on their traditional costume and aesthetic. So it’s not a full-on cosplay! I must admit that I was particularly excited to dress up as Rapunzel because her signature look is full of purple and flowers. Instead of going with the lighter lilac shade she wears, I decided to go for a more sophisticated adaptation and wear a darker plum shade. For the hair, I was initially considering attempting her flower-woven side braid, but decided to do a flower crown instead. For the actual flower crown, I found a crown base on Amazon and decided to fill it in with faux flowers from Michael’s crafts that were similar to the color flowers she wears. As for the prop, of course I needed a frying pan! I guess the only thing I was missing was my Pascal…and Flynn Rider of course.
Why Rapunzel?
1.) Her Story
Rapunzel is as classic fairy tale-esque as it gets: a princess who was snatched away at birth because of her magic hair, spending years locked in a tower with someone who wasn’t even her real mom, eventually sneaking out and going on a classic identity-seeking adventure only to find love with a bad boy who isn’t such a bad boy and eventually be restored to her parents and taking back her role as the princess. Magic, adventure, romance, deception and a happy ending where the villain gets what’s coming—what more could you want?
Even aside from the Disney version, which I am mainly focusing on here, her story has very interesting origins. Though I have heard of several different origin stories, Rapunzel is originally an Italian fairy tale that, while including its share of darkness, actually has somewhat of a happy and romantic ending!
2.) Her Personality
Truthfully, I find Rapunzel’s personality to be the most endearing of the classic princesses. Her vibrant, quirky and childlike spirit eventually softens everyone around her because she can always see the best in them even when nobody else can! She knows how to laugh, enjoy life, open herself up to others and venture into the unknown with strength and determination. I find her courage and capability especially impressive considering she was taught to fear the outside world her whole life!
3.) Her Aesthetic
Purple, flowers, long magical hair, a cute lizard pet and a penchant for all things creative and glowing. Do I even need to elaborate? Of all the Disney princesses, I most love Rapunzel’s aesthetic—not just her appearance and costume, but the whole visual vibe of her story. Even before she breaks out of her tower, I love how she turns it into her own creative playground—crafting, baking, learning, reading and painting her days away with Pascal instead of laying around and whining all day that she can’t leave. She knows how to make the best of a less than ideal situation and create beauty, art and life wherever she can!
I think this is why her home kingdom is so stunning—full of life, art, music, and celebration. The fact that the glowing lanterns were created to specifially call her home is so perfect, as the golden, glittery sea of lanterns are almost an extension of herself.
Personal Inspiration
I most admire Rapunzel for her childlike wonder. Perhaps because she spent so much of her life locked away, she can appreciate people, experiences, and beauty with fresh enthusiasm. Because she never interacted with the outside world, she can approach questionable people with true optimism and openness, free from preconceived prejudice. Because she was so grateful for the chance to leave her tower, she can take on obstacles and danger with tenacity and courage.
Was growing up in a tower, away from her true family, identity or the outside world ideal? Certainly not. Did her circumstances prime her to appreciate life’s simple pleasures and open-mindedly encourage others to be their best selves? Quite possibly! Either way, her story holds a special place in my heart and I will always look up to Rapunzel for these reasons.
In Conclusion
That’s a wrap for this particular disneybound! Please go check out Cassie’s version of this particular challenge on her blog and find out who her favorite Disney princess is!
Also, stay tuned, because this disneybound collaboration may just have a follow up!