A fashion historian reviews the accuracy of the costumes worn by Elsa and Anna in the Disney movie "Frozen". The movie is set in 1840s Norway, and the historian notes that while the animators made an effort to incorporate traditional Norwegian elements, there are some inaccuracies.
For Elsa's coronation gown, the historian notes that the silhouette is too narrow, the sleeves are incorrect, and the color is not accurate for a coronation gown of the time period. The historian also points out that Elsa's hair and crown are not accurate for the time period.
For Anna's costume, the historian notes that the animators did a good job incorporating elements of traditional Norwegian folk clothing, but there are some inaccuracies, such as the boots, the color of the cape, and the lack of stockings. The historian also notes that Anna's embroidery is not as elaborate as it would have been in the 19th century, and that the clasp on her cape is accurate.
Overall, the historian concludes that while the animators made an effort to incorporate historical elements, the costumes are not entirely accurate, and the departures from historical accuracy are likely due to the need to make the characters accessible and attractive to a modern audience.
Here are the key facts extracted from the text:
1. The Disney movie Frozen is set in the 1840s in Norway.
2. The town of Arendelle is named after the Norwegian town of Arendelle.
3. The movie is based on the story "The Snow Queen" written in 1844.
4. Norway and Sweden were united for most of the 19th century.
5. The Queen of Norway and Sweden in 1844 was Josephine of Leuchtenberg.
6. Josephine's coronation ceremony was in 1844.
7. Women's skirts in the 1840s were pretty full.
8. Long sleeves were not worn at night in the 1840s.
9. Women in the 1840s wore chemises, drawers, stockings, corsets, petticoats, and court gowns.
10. The 1840s saw the popularization of split crotch drawers.
11. Stockings were worn by women in the 1840s, especially during winter.
12. Corsets were essential for women's clothing for over 400 years.
13. The 1840s saw the beginning of the practice of tight lacing, which involved tying the corset very tightly.
14. Petticoats were very heavy, upwards of 20 pounds.
15. The bottom petticoat was likely made of horsehair.
16. Quilted petticoats were worn on top of the horsehair petticoat.
17. The outermost petticoat was typically white and made of cotton or linen.
18. Court gowns were worn for ceremonial occasions.
19. European monarchs often wore white coronation garb, symbolizing purity and divinity.
20. The color of Elsa's coronation gown is inaccurate, as monarchs typically wore white.
21. Elsa's long sleeves are also inaccurate for a court gown.
22. The Train on a court gown was often detachable.
23. The Cape on a court gown was typically long and worn on formal occasions.
24. Queen Josephine's coronation cape was likely made of a dark color, not magenta.
25. Shoes in the 1840s did not have specific right and left shoes.
26. Evening shoes were typically made of silk and worn indoors.
27. European hairstyles in the 1840s were influenced by Queen Victoria.
28. Anna's costume is based on traditional Norwegian folk clothing.
29. The Bodice on a traditional Norwegian costume is called a "Liv".
30. The Bodice was decorated with Russa m'ling embroidery.
31. The apron was a common part of a woman's costume in the countryside.
32. A special kind of bag called a "Vesica" was worn at the waist.
33. The Vesica was often embroidered.
34. The cape on Anna's costume is a very bright magenta, which is inaccurate for the 1840s.
35. The discovery of synthetic dyes in 1856 created new colors like mauve.
36. The clasp on Anna's cape is accurate and references Norwegian silver making called "Solia".
37. Winter boots in Norway were typically made of reindeer skin.
38. The Sami people wore shoes with a curled toe, designed to hook into skis.
39. Long braids were a common hairstyle for young Norwegian women.
40. Each "Bunad" had some form of headwear that completed the costume.
41. Anna's cap is similar to examples from the 19th century.