38 iconic Disney Princess outfits, ranked
The good, the bad, and the... interesting.
One could argue that Disney Princesses are basically the original influencers. I mean, before Instagram was even a concept, these ladies had us perplexed with how they managed to save the world, escape a villain’s wrath, and discover true love all while still managing to serve consistent looks. It’s no easy feat, but these royal tastemakers really established that 'dress for success' mentality early on.
With the menagerie of princesses that Disney has generously provided us over the years, quite a number of their looks stand out as timeless classics. These animated 'It'-girls work double as low-key style icons. Prepared for basically any occasion, even their fashion missteps manage to make a cultural splash. Now that’s impact. You should’ve been taking notes, but if not, no worries—we were paying attention for you. Here, 38 of the princesses’ best and worst looks, from ball gowns to nightgowns—and whatever it was Ariel tried to create on the beach that one time—ranked.
Cinderella’s Magical Evening Dress, Cinderella
Flawless. Also iconic enough to inspire a Met Gala imitation years later.
Ariel’s Iconic Shell Bra and Fishtail, The Little Mermaid
Very 'Coachella in Atlantis.'
Rapunzel’s Purple Dress and Floral Braid, Tangled
This hair is the stuff Pinterest dreams are made of. Drop the tutorial stat!
Jasmine’s Red Two-Piece, Aladdin
Jasmine might not have picked out this outfit for herself, but her stylist was working overtime on this one. Red is definitely her colour and her accessories are on point.
Tiana’s Fantasy Gown, The Princess and the Frog
Green is a tough colour, especially when it comes to formalwear, but Tiana makes (neon) green look good here. Very good.
Belle’s Fun in the Snow Outfit, Beauty and the Beast
Belle might spend most of the movie in blue, but wine-red is definitely her colour. And just look at the way that white fur collar frames her face. Stunning! A French runway classic!
Moana’s Adventure Outfit, Moana
Everything from her beach waves to the colour coordination make this the perfect outfit for a seabound adventure.
Meg’s Lavender Column Dress, Hercules
The word 'goddess' comes to mind.
Jasmine’s Aqua Co-Ord, Aladdin
Not many women can wear a wide jeweled headband, statement earrings, and a heavy necklace all at once without becoming overwhelmed by them. Bravo, Jasmine. Bravo!
Ariel’s Sparkle Dress, The Little Mermaid
Any ’90s pop star preparing for a red carpet would envy this look. She looks ready to perform a ballad at the Grammys.
Merida’s Go-To Green Dress, Brave
This is a pretty classic look for Disney—a plain, long-sleeve dress in the perfect shade of blue-green to complement her iconic red hair. When the colours are this striking, you really don’t need anything else.
Alice’s “Mr. Rabbit’s House” Romper, Alice in Wonderland
Sia, eat your heart out!
Elsa’s Ice Castle Dress, Frozen
Quite on the nose for an ice queen. The detail work is impressive, and props to up-and-coming designer Elsa for making it herself.
Mulan’s Fightin’ Dress, Mulan
Mulan’s layering game is on point!
Alice’s Blue Dress and White Apron, Alice in Wonderland
There is nothing Disney princesses love more than a puffy sleeve, but the apron here actually makes these poufs look kind of cool. Also, that hair is everything. I wonder what Alice’s extensions budget is?
Mulan’s Training Uniform, Mulan
Yas, neutrals, come through!
Pocahontas’s Minidress, Pocahontas
The one-shoulder silhouette is nice and suede is very hot right now. Also, major shout-out to that statement necklace.
Belle’s Everyday Blue and White Look, Beauty and the Beast
Obviously adorable, but she and Alice might be eligible for a 'Who Wore It Best?' showdown.
Ariel’s DIY Sail and Rope Dress, The Little Mermaid
Awful at first glance. But it is awful in a high-fashion Comme des Garçons way, which means it’s actually kind of amazing. Right?
Belle’s Yellow Ball Gown, Beauty and the Beast
Not bad considering it was clearly made out of old polyester window treatments.
Annabel Iwegbue is a culture editor at Cosmopolitan, where she primarily covers pop culture, lifestyle, relationships, and digital trends. She previously wrote for Harper's Bazaar, The Knockturnal, and Black Film. She's originally from Charleston, South Carolina, and is currently based in Brooklyn, New York. She holds a B.A. in Journalism and Cinema Studies from New York University. You can check out some of Annabel’s work here and also find her on Instagram and Twitter.
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