Sydnie's In Wonderland

Many studies suggest that our childhood shapes the majority of our adult traits. Our personalities, our hobbies, our choices and decisions ... you name it. How does fashion play into this? Well, thinking back to my own childhood, I attempted to discover things that might have led to my choices in fashion today.

It certainly wasn't my choice in friends; the most influence my comrades have in my fashion sense is the giggles and joking insults they give me when I wear something particularly out there. Oh, well. It's all in good humor! It definately wasn't the hobbies and interests I developed, either. If it were, I'd be decked out in silky knee-length basketball shorts, "fancy" tops with ruffles in strange places accustomed from dozens of piano recitals, or those horrid khaki cargo pants I lived in during my beach-combing phases. No, my hobbies definately had nothing to do with it.

After a lot of thinking, I discovered something that just may have had enough influence on me to sculpt my insane sense of style. It all came about from two simple words: Walt. Disney.

My collection of Walt Disney movies were my greatest treasure; I would throw a bloody fit if my sister dared watch them without rewinding them all the way back afterwards. My best friends were comprised of the magical Cinderella, the spunky Ariel, and the gentle Sleeping Beauty. There was, however, only one princess (of sorts) that I considered my alter-ego. Her name was Alice, from the timeless tale of "Alice in Wonderland".

Alice had everything I ever wanted; energetic and fun-loving friends, a world full of bright colors, and blonde hair. She got to have tea parties in her charming blue dress, and this made her my idol. My "Alice in Wonderland" VCR was one of the most watched (and most worn) videos in my movie case. Twelve years later, less than a month after my seventeenth birthday, the 2010 edition of "Alice in Wonderland" will be released on March 5th. And my, do the costume designs tickle my fancy.

Two particular characters that caught my eye are The Red Queen and The White Queen, played by two of my favorite actresses, Helena Bonham Carter and Anne Hathaway, respectively. For those who don't know, Helena Bonham Carter is one of the best actresses (in my opinion) in the infamous Harry Potter movie series, playing the role of Bellatrix Lestrange to a tee. Anyway, for this post I've decided to modernize the looks in "Alice in Wonderland (2010)" so we can all embrace the inner Alice characters in ourselves.

The White Queen


The White Queen is the beautiful pale queen, known as Alice's ally. She dresses in an elegant Cinderella-esque ball gown of the purest white. In order to capture The White Queen in your day-to-day outfit, you first and foremost must wear a white dress. After all, it is the fundamental piece of the outfit.


Kate Moss for Topshop


Elie Saab

Jewelry is also a very important part of The White Queen's presence. You can do either gold or silver, but be sure you don't mix the two! Although gold/silver pieces are emerging, I still believe that the classic way to approach it is to use only one. What do you think?


Yves Saint Laurent


Polyvore


Chanel

The shoes are, of course, an important part of any outfit. You should try to stick with the theme of white, silver, and/or gold. Try these:


Gareth Pugh


Dior

And for the whipped cream on top of the sundae: don't forget white tights!




The Red Queen



The Red Queen is, in a sense, The White Queen's opposite. She is opposing Alice's side, therefore making her the somewhat antagonist of the story. She is mischievous, quick, and effortless. Her clothing is much less simple than The White Queen's; The Red Queen is all about patterns, fullness, and attention-grabbing garments. First and foremost, you're looking to create an outfit made up of black, red, and white. A full, patterned skirt will give you a look demanding your presence, while all the while looking sly and sexy. If you're not one for fullness, try a silhouette-enhancing dress.


Yves Saint Laurent


Newport News


Forever 21 (What a steal!)


BCBGMAXAZRIA

For the top, go with a form-fitting blazer in either red or black. White will make you look too innocent, and the red and black in a solid color will give you just the punch you need. Plus, it will balance nicely against the pattern of the skirt.


K Karl Lagerfeld


3.1 Phillip Lim

Your shoes simply must be intense. It is always the shoes that give that final touch, and to be The Red Queen, you must go out with a bang. Try either an extreme boot, such as ones by Ann Demeulemeester, or an over-the-top heel with decorations such as these by Prada. No jewelry is neccessary for this outfit; you've got all the kick you need in the patterns and silhouettes!


Ann Demeulemeester


Prada

So, are you The White Queen or The Red Queen? Or are you the timeless Alice, with her naïve persona and her cornflower dress? I suppose you could even be The Mad Hatter ... to be honest, he sort of frightens me! Either way, check out "Alice in Wonderland", premiering in theaters near you on March 5th, 2010. I know I'll be there! By the way, who's your favorite Disney character? I'm also particularly partial to Winnie the Pooh!



Disclaimer: All of the above photographs were taken publicly from the internet. If the owners wish for me to take them off, please contact me and I will remove them immediately. Thank you.