Wearing plaid is like having a comfort blanket draped over you.
I wonder if that’s how Diana felt, sporting the pattern in different colors, in the form of a dress, a blazer, or a skirt suit. That was the thing about Diana: she knew how to make her look completely fresh while feeling like home, so that when you looked at her, you saw the People’s Princess, but also a monarch of majesty.
I feel the same, as I sport a mismatched version of Diana’s black and red two-piece number, complete with big cold studs, a matching necklace, and tights. I went for an edgier rendition, with two slits on either side of the seemingly modest skirt. Instead of a white blouse, I opted for a black tank top to pick up on the colors in the blazer and skit. And a must: paying to Diana’s traditional big pearl, gold rimmed studs, a standout pair of luxurious stars in the sea of hair the color of the night sky.
Skipping the tights and pumps, I went for vinyl boots instead, the clear heel the modern echo of a glass slipper. Yes, I called back to the fictional princess, Cinderella because I was about to interview Disney Princesses themselves for one of my on-camera reporter stories. Ahead of their performance of “Disney Princess: The Concert” in Bakersfield (one stop of over 80 cities) I interviewed Susan Egan (the original Meg in Disney’s Hercules + Belle on Broadway), Analiese van set Pol (Belle on Broadway and Chelsea on That’s So Raven), Syndee Winters (Nala on Broadway), and Arielle Jacobs (Jasmine on Broadway). One question I had to ask them while sporting this outfit honoring a real-life princess:
“As a country and world we’ve been through so much. We’ve spent the last two years in a pandemic and faced political divide, and we are currently trying to piece our nation back together. Disney princesses have a way of communicating hope and joy through their films, in every song they sing. What is it about your show and Disney Princesses in general, that can provide us some much needed hope right now?”
Egan answered: “I think there’s a magic to Disney in and of itself that spans generations, spans political beliefs, spans countries, and can bring people together.” When I tell you her words wrung true for me, it is an understatement. I listened to these women bring the magic of Disney to life during their performance (yes, a friend and I happily went, among the many children who attended) and found myself tearing up. The childhood joy of hearing “Part of Your World” and “I won’t say I’m in Love,” was undeniable. Call me a dreamer, but Princesses, from Diana Spencer, to Princess Belle make this world a better place. While I don’t have their crowns, my clothes inspired by them (in this case Diana), are equally as monarchical. They empower me to tell the news and make my own dreams come true in every day life.
Keeping it Krischic,
Kristin Vartan
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Keeping it Krischic 