Notice how all three women also take up the role of stepmother at some point in the movie. Not sure if it was intentional, but the shades of purple unify them in that respect and also emphasize how different they are. Narissa is the storybook villain, Nancy is initially treated like she’s going to be an evil stepmother, and Giselle becomes the good stepmother that contradicts the fairytale character trope.
I think her purple dress is symbolic since it shows at the ball she wanted it to be real. While Robert who is wearing an outfit from a fairytale, he wanted it to be like a fairytale. Showing how they impacted each other.
Okay I understand what they were trying to go for with that purple dress but there are literally a million other modern dresses with sleek silhouettes that would have looked so much better! Her dress literally looks exactly like this t-shirt material swimsuit cover up I used to have. Literally right down to the color it looks cheap I feel like they could have even put her in pants or a pants suit or some other modern dress that doesn't look like a cheap t-shirt material swimsuit cover up. Plus that silhouette just is not flattering on her. She's an absolutely beautiful woman and that dress is just doing her no favors
They're also meeting each other halfway: he's embracing her romanticism a she's embracing his modern sensibility. By the end sequence, they're more back to themselves (him modern, her modern but soft and feminine) but still clearly show the influence they have on each other and their willingness to compromise on the superficial.
@@WhitneyDahlin Ok you wish Gisele wore something more expensive, got it, but keep in mind her and Morgan bought that with Robert’s credit card, he would’ve been pissed
The purple dress is also supposed to be put next to what Robert is wearing - a Disney Prince suit. Giselle's arc in the film is realising that the fantasy of Andalasia isn't for her any more, and to commit to the realism of New York. Robert's arc in the film is relaxing from being a stuffy, sterile lawyer - so the suit he wears to the dance is symbolic of his understanding that Giselle and his daughter have dreams and fantasies that are valid to have. Their costumes in the scene are them showing a willingness to compromise - she's okay not being a Disney princess, he's understanding that fantasies are okay (at the start of the film, his daughter wants a fairy book, he gives her a book about female politicians). And at the end scene where all three are dancing in their home, their clothes reflect this: she's got a feminine, if subdued dress on, her hair is up, but curly, and he's in a bit more colour, and acting a bit goofy.
Exactly!!!!! I wish some recent movies would follow this, I hate being told everything. Trust that your audience can figure it out,but don't make us too confused
right?!! costume design is an amazing part of film; we were actually taught in film school to always try to show rather than tell bc it feels more natural to the audience that way
@@aanyamallick7747 Well, that should really be a given. There's a storytelling rule of "show, not tell". Problem is, people these days are more or less too lazy or braindead to watch anything decent these days. Most people would just want things to be spoonfed to them, rather than having their brains work out the details and be pleasantly surprised about their discoveries.
I've never been all that gaga over Patrick Dempsey but the part where he gently sings in her ear during their dance makes me weak at the knees EVERY. SINGLE. TIME.
I never knew people didn't like her dress. I thought the whole point was to "modernize" her in the movie, and have her stand out from everyone. They did so with her princess mindset when she first arrived to New York. So I figured, it would've been anti-climatic, to put her a big fluffy dress like the rest at the party since we saw her in that already. Am I missing something here?
that's exactly what i thought as well! clothing can narrate a story super well and i thought the purple dress represented how her character developed throughout the story. starting out with a super puffy dress and ending in a sleek more modern purple dress. her transition from being naive and living in a fantasy world to realizing that the world isnt perfect and her being angry at robert. i feel the poofiness represented her being sort of an airhead lol and being in a tighter dress with less details to show how she got back to the ground.
I love the dress, I personally would prefer if she hadn’t straightened her hair-but it makes perfect sense for the story and the scene, showing her total transformation. I’m kind of obsessed with the costumes in this movie, Giselle’s dresses make exactly the impact they should. Now I need to rewatch. It’s been sooo longb
Yeah, the straight hair makes her look more like a Daphne costume in my eyes. I think if she’d had a ponytail or something of the sort it’d look better
I hear many people say they dislike that Giselle didn’t wear a costume to a costume ball. However, I was under the impression that, to Giselle, this modern, simple gown WAS a costume! When we choose a costume, don’t we usually pick something that is a far reach from our daily wardrobe? Something that we either wish we could be, would like to pretend we are, or want to feel like for one night? Giselle’s daily Andalusian attire may be a costume by most people’s standards, but to her, that was her typical wardrobe! Wouldn’t it make sense that she finds the opposite to be unusual and costume-like?
Also, I would be suprised if she grasped the idea of it being a costume ball as the way it was presented would have seemed very normal to her. She would want to look stylish, so she boutght clothes that I'm assuming the salespeople said were so.
Um am I the only one who loved that dress on her ? Like I was stunned when she walked down those stairs in that purple dress 💜 the best she looked in the whole movie in my opinion
I think it's moreso that after an entire film where you have these gorgeous, huge and detailed dresses, she ends the film in that one. It's literal rom-com film law: if you're having a big staircase reveal moment, it's gotta be spectacular 😭
@@taniap5361 I guess, but at the same time this film was all about subverting tropes like that. In most cases the ball with the staircase reveal is one of the high points for the princess/heroine character and it's the moment she gets her guy. In this movie, however, the ball is the lowest point emotionally for Giselle because she thinks this is going to be her last dance with the man she loves. She's sad and it comes out in her outfit, it's the flattest of the outfits and in a sombre colour (purple has been associated with grief and mourning historically). They fully subverted the ball moment by making it the exact opposite of what it was supposed to be in every way and I love them for it because it was a very brave choice.
@@myriadd6272 You know what, I'm on your side now. That was a great analysis and makes total sense. Defs have to rewatch the movie now that you mention that!
Personally, I don’t like the dress, but that’s more to do with my personal taste and not liking whatever the cut of the neckline is called. It definitely fits with her development and is such a gorgeous shade on Amy Adams. As if she could ever look less than a 10!
Yeah, that was always my opinion. I 100% get what they were going for and it needed to be that way for the character development, I just personally think it's not a great cut. 😆
@@clairelouise3591 I didn't like it even then. As said, sometimes it's simply a matter of personal taste... Something about the metallic accent always seemed off to me; now I think about it, maybe I'd like it more if they'd somehow continued it into the dress itself because as it is it keeps feeling to me like a tacked-on aftertought more than an integral part of the design.
In that scene she could have wore a fairytale dress like everyone else, if she wanted to dress like a princess in the real world that was the perfect time and place. But it wasn't the case, because it wouldn't make sense for the character. I think it's beautiful to see the simplicity of the purple dress and how it fits her perfectly
No matter what the dress looks like, I just love the way it moves so seamless and fluid all the time, even when she’s charging into battle. It has sort of a heaviness in draping but a lightness to it when in motion.
Yes, I think a lot of people are underestimating the needs of the dress - she needed to be able to dance in it, and it to fight in it, and it still had to move while soaking wet. A lot of people are complaining about the material, but most materials would have added serious weight to the dress, especially when wet, not mention constricted movement that much more. I can't even begin to imagine how much that wedding dress weighed to begin with, let along soaking wet.
I don't dislike the purple dress exactly. I think its design is elegant and pretty and it makes sense for all these reasons you discuss. But I just wish it looked a little more like it fit Giselle's personality as it has been thus far. The purple is elegant, sleek, smart looking and omg it looks so lovely when she spins. But Giselle is fun and bubbly, and her personality seems to me to be less sleek-ish and more blunt. Maybe I'd like it better if they kept Giselle's hair still curly, just more realistically. Or give it a pretty headband braid or something. Maybe some fun earrings. Some element of her personality just to tie things together might have improved it just enough imo. Though I still dream of that curtains dress and owning something like that. That dress was my absolute dream as a kid.
It's beautiful ,Amy looks great in everything, her hair and dress represents how her character's developed. When she first came to New York she was dressed like a cartoon princess, then when she attended a ball she wasn't in a royal like European dress. She always stood out. I get the personality thing tho they shouldve added something but everything else is fine.
I do see your point! It definitely lacks something more unique to Giselle, but in part I get it considering she didn't make all the choices for that clothes iirc (the daughter helped, right?), but yeah keeping her curly hair could have been nice, or some flowery details, maybe. Also, big same on that curtains dress, it's sooo beautiful!
@@phoenixbro9223 you captured exactly how I feel about that dress... i think it’s lovely, but it’s not the “oh wow” moment we are used to in similar movies where the main character dresses up. It wasn’t exactly the point of the scene, but somehow expected nonetheless (at least for me) so after seeing all the other dresses it just came short...
I feel like even as a kid, I understood "oh, she looks different" and knew that the "downgrade", without the implication that it was bad, was less of a downgrade and more of a simplification, and simple isn't bad. It was on purpose, it was what she wanted. Giselle showed more than once that she is extremely skilled in making beautiful, flowy, fairy tail-esque dresses with bright colors and layers and details. If she WANTED to go all out for the New York ball, she could have. Hell, I can definitely see her repurposing the wedding dress that she came to the real world with. But she chose not to do that. Though I wouldn't have been able to word it as eloquently, even as a young girl I knew this dress matched Robert more because Giselle was starting to fall for him instead of the prince
Did anyone ever catch that Roberts ball outfit resembles Giselles dream prince creation in the beginning of the movie? Nice little bit of foreshadowing there.
My sister made me notice that not only Robert was dressed as Giselle's dreamed prince, but also that in her dream they were dancing, which she never does with Edward, just with Robert.i thought it was an amazing detail
Personally, when I saw Giselle's purple dress, I thought about how she became more human than a fairytale. The simple but elegant dress may not make her magical, but she still is beautiful in it, and it certainly shows how much she has matured and how her concept of love has developed.
People in the comments are saying the purple dress doesnt suit Giselle's magicalness. However, Giselle is literally a cartoon character turning into a real woman. She isnt supposed to stand out or be this princess at the ball. When she fell in love with Robert and his daughter, she yearned for a normal life. She knew she was gonna go back to the poofy dresses. Why not dress up as a normal woman for once in her lifem
My thoughts on the purple dress: I don't hate it but for her character, it's underwhelming. It just doesn't feel right for me I think. Giselle is a bright, sunny, and kind person yet naive and childish. That is what makes her stand out from the reality though. She is also creative as shown with her making a complete outfit from the rugs and curtains. She is torn at that moment and the biggest flaw for me I think is that it's a make over reveal scene. Makeovers are supposed to bring out the best in you, appearance wise and yet in here, in her reveal scene, she is sad especially the shade of the purple, a very drastic change in her taste in my opinion. It also doesn't help that again, straight hair is considered the pretty one. Then again, she is trying to fit in the real world. The movie lacks a scene of a big reveal with her applying both her old and new taste in fashion. Can't help but think that the movie Mean Girls is what I'm trying to compare it with. Also it's hard to believe that a creative girl like her would just let her dress be like that considering its a ball but then I guess she's trying to fit in
I agree. She look so bored in that dress. And the hair. I think that she does not need such metamorfosis. I love her personality. No need a bored adult.
I think what some people are missing is what someone else here commented: this is not supposed to be a Cinderella moment. It’s an anti-Cinderella moment. She is not there to have a striking appearance. That’s not what the makeover is for. This time the makeover serves a different purpose. And she’s supposed to look sad. Not her cheery self. And because she’s trying to be part of this world, she discards all the fairy tale touches and embraces pure simplicity.
@@amairplanebrrrpppptttttt9094 The dress is not supposed to fit her character. It's supposed to look wrong for her to fit what she is experiencing at that moment, how desperately she wants to fit in even if she doesn't really belong there. It's not a permanent change as after the ball she has more of her own style again and finds a proper balance.
I like that when Giselle first enters the real world, she's dressed like Fairy Tale princess, and everyone is dressed in modern clothing, But for the fairy tale ball, she's wearing a sleek modern dress, while everyone is wearing ye olde garbs. She always stands out. Also, I like to point out that when Edward "slays" the bus, you can see a poster for Superman Returns, which is super ironic in a foreshadowy way, considering Amy Adams would end up playing Lois Lane.
I always say that Amy Adams deserved an award for this role. She absolutely NAILED the embodiment of a cartoon princess. Her mannerisms, voice, facial expressions - expertly conveyed! James Marsden did fabulously as well! That man has range!
I like that she didn’t wear a typical princess dress, I just hate the dress. There are far nicer designs that would have still been symbolic of her growth and acceptance of the reality she’s been living in. In all fairness, pretty much no one looks good in that mermaid style dress.
Yes! I never liked the metallic halter detail and the dress isn't very memorable imo, but everything you said about the symbolism of her costume evolution is spot on, and I think it was quite evident in her story arc without it being too in-your-face.
I know it makes sense for the narrative and character development of Giselle to wear a modern dress, but I still don't love it. She could've worn a modern dress that retained some of her original quirks. She doesn't have to completely abandon her history to be a grown up human.
I don’t know. I think that was kinda the whole point. Too show how much she changed. Plus she wears a dress like that in the final scenes of the movie. I think she looks great
As a teen, when this film first came out. I was obsessed with her wardrobe! Which is why the modern dress felt like such a let down. I hated the color and the gunmetal halter. But as I grew up, I saw the storytelling behind the muted mauve and adored the way the silhouette moved on the floor. It was the perfect choice for how her character felt in that moment.
i completely understand the point of the dress and the symbolism. don’t get me wrong. i like the dress, but it just always felt very lackluster for the moment, especially since her entrance is meant to mirror cinderella. however, it feels quite boring for the actual character. you can modernize her and develop her while still keeping her original style. idk if i’m making any sense, but i hope i am?
i understand you- i just even left a similar comment. i like what it represents in her character and in her journey, but just the styling and color is underwhelming to me. like maybe she wears the dress without the gun halter part and instead a diamond necklace with a flower jewel on it. parts of her old princess style with more a modern silhouette to show her inner conflict. like this is her moment to look beautiful in a modern and sleek way but i always found it underwhelming :/
But maybe that’s the point? In the real world grand reveals aren’t really a thing. Plus it was meant to be more of a intimate moment. Others may not notice her, but Robert does. There are places for Cinderella entrances, but not here
I’ve always thought that the point of the purple dress (and the whole dance scene) was to show that Giselle wants to be in/apart of Roberts world. And in that same scene Robert is dressed as if he wants to be in her world. It’s almost symbolic of how in a relationship you may change to meet the others needs, and in this case they were happy to see eachother in their perspective worlds. I just find that romantic💖 Also I never noticed as a kid that the sculpture that Giselle is making in the beginning of the movie is literally Robert 🤦♀️
People don’t like the purple dress? That’s… just weird. I’ve always loved it. Symbolism of her character growth and all that. Plus it’s my favorite color.
The fact that it makes sense for the story doesn't mean it isn't ugly. The two are not mutually exclusive. I understand what they were going for symbolically, but I still think the costume designer could have found/made a more flattering dress that still achieved that goal. I may be biased as I hate the fashion of the 2000s, but still.
@@U.E-o4w It comes down to cut and silhouette mostly. I actually don't dislike the color. The mermaid skirt looks awkward and frumpy and I actually think it would've better fit the "mature" look they were going for had it been a more tight, straight skirt with a slit or train. I also am just confused by the mess going on with the bust and neckline. The wrapped/rouched bra thing going on with the bust is disruptive to the overall attempt at a sleek silhouette. And I really just can't get behind the metal necklace. I think if they really wanted to include it, it would've looked better as just a separate piece of jewelry, not something connected to the dress. Sorry this was such a long answer but there's a lot to dislike with this dress lol.
@@aurorareynolds585 ooh a slit dress is a good idea. And I agree about the necklace thing, it does *not* look good as an attached piece. I really love the subtextual idea they were going for but yeah little details changed like that I feel like would make it look better. I never paid attention to the dress in particular tho when I watched and rewatched the movie before :)
In my opinion, her purple dress was just... ok. I felt like it needed something. It was too simple in comparison to everything else she wore. It's not ugly... Just plain.
In this scene, she is just a woman, not a princess. She doesn't stand out in any way. Also the dress doesn't fit her style on purpose, because she asked for advice on what to wear. She is completely out of her element.
@@jessn.3851 @Jess N. How come she didn't make a dress like she did throughout the movie? She even opened a fashion house at the end. She even got her hair and makeup done for the ball. The movie could've had this be a simple house party to better illustrate her womanhood if that's what they were going for. They actually put a spotlight on her to make her stand out. Also, how come people are acting like I hate the dress? Like I said it was ok. But, I loved her hair and shoes. I just watched the movie again and I felt like it needed a necklace or some filigree designs similar to Robert or Edward. Or maybe a purple ombre/gradient.
@@brookefossum8634mostly comparing it to their live reaction remakes. Like I can't compare enchanted, or Narnia to their live action films from the 60s.
What? I never knew people hated this dress. I've always thought it was beautiful, and before I even went on the Internet, I've always interpreted the modernity and simplicity of it as a way to 1) get her to stand out among an entire ballroom of people dressed in pseudo-period/fairytale clothing, and 2) show that she's becoming attached to the real world, and by extension, Robert. I thought that was the whole point all along and it was honestly so obvious to me that I'm shocked that anyone would believe otherwise.
I LOVE the purple dress! I loved it as a kid and I love it now! I still want one of my own. Its gorgeous! I love the way the bottom of the dress moves! It shows her character evolution perfectly! But my dress favorite is still the pink one with the flowers she made! Enchanted was my favorite movie when I was nine until I was twelve. I'm both scared and excited for the sequel! I hope its just as good and doesn't ruin the original.
THE WAY I JUST SCREAMED AT MY PHONE YASSSSSS I FUCKING LOVE THIS DRESS! I know the whole So Close dance by heart. It was my comfort song and scene in high school.
when I was a kid I saw this dress for the first time and thought it was the absolute pinnacle of mature and beautiful, like only a real adult could pull this off.
I love Mona May's skill with juxtaposition. As I was watching this it hit how Cher's first outfit in Clueless and Ty's were both a form of flannel but how they were styled had very different impacts and perceptions. Mona May really is an artist. Your analysis videos are always super on point. Would to see you do more collabs eith Clever and Chic!
i definitely love this dress and the way she looks in it- and although i understand why they chose the dress i think part of the general dislike is the fact that it's a costume ball and she is just. not costuming!!
I was always under the impression that Giselle has a different understanding of the concept of a costume ball/costume. The clothes she normally wears would likely be considered a costume by everyone else’s standards. In contrast, the dress she wore to the ball may feel more like a “costume” to her because it is the opposite of her daily wardrobe. The simple, modern dress is her version of dressing up and pretending to be something she’s not - or rather, it’s her dressing as something she wants to be/ how she wants to feel. I think to Giselle, this purple gown was a costume!
It was just never implied in universe that she was curling her hair (if I’m remembering correctly) so the assumption is that after her makeover her hair was straightened. I know her actress has straight hair but her character, in my opinion, was implied to have curly hair naturally.
This film is a SACRED PATRIMONY, we've slept on it for so long, I'm glad your talking abou the purple dress and the meaning behind her clothes, so well done! Thank you
Always enjoy a good symbolism chat! Great video! I've definitely been among that crowd who dislikes that dress - for me it's the neckline. That plunging U shape cut with a bandeau bust distracted my eye to everything. I understood the symbolism of the dress but like you said, it's very 2007, and that bandeau cut was all the rage, but did not flatter everyone.
the color is a bit drab. i guess i understand like her confusion between the two but damn. i just think the dress could have been so much better and still told the story.
I freaking LOVE her dress at the end and also noticed the transformation from her more detailed and frilly dresses to the modern and plain dress. Great analysis on all the dresses and her transformation.
I never really liked it, because it felt out of touch with Giselle's fairytale-like attributes and qualities, but it makes a lot more sense now, especially with the transition via the off shoulder pink dress.
For me, this dress has always made sense, even when I first watched the movie as a kid. I love it, it's simple, elegant, beautiful, very efficient to fight dragons and it kind of solidifies her as a new yorker, after all she's been through
I think the point was that it wasn't quite right for her. It wasn't her style at all. A princess dress would have appealed to her taste, but she couldn't trust her own opinion on what would be appropriate to people in our world. She wasn't trying to stand out, she was trying to fit in and just be a normal woman. The man she loved was into women who were serious.
Okay I understand what they were trying to go for with that purple dress but there are literally a million other modern dresses with sleek silhouettes that would have looked so much better! Her dress literally looks exactly like this t-shirt material swimsuit cover up I used to have. Literally right down to the color it looks cheap I feel like they could have even put her in pants or a pants suit or some other modern dress that doesn't look like a cheap t-shirt material swimsuit cover up. Plus that silhouette just is not flattering on her. She's an absolutely beautiful woman and that dress is just doing her no favors
To me, my FAVORITE little unspoken detail is that strap adjustment on her yellow dress in one of the last (or possibly the last) scene after everything is settled. It brings her fully into the real world with all its flaws and foibles, from the major (like at the ball) or the minor (adjusting a dress strap because life happens).
i know it’s important significance and how it was meant to modernize her- i just genuinely think it’s an underwhelming dress😭😭 like it’s nice… the intention is there… i just wish they put her in a different dress.
I understand the symbolism reasons, and they're all very good by my reasons for not liking it are very petty and silly and below all that. 1. Even tho her hair isn't naturally curly, seeing beautiful women with curly hair as the heroine on TV was rare for me as a kid, so seeing her before looks was more "that looks like me! She has hair like me and she's still pretty!" And seeing her hair straight at the end felt like a let down from that (I know she has straight hair at the beginning too but like. Curly haired kids were desparate okay) 2. I like big poofy dresses and this looked like a dress I could've seen anywhere at the time and it bored me. I'm just petty here haha
YES I came to find commentary on the 00s trend of "curly hair is messy!!! MAKEOVER MEANS STRAIGHTEN" dogma and bullying in that era over girls hair that hasn't been straightened
@@naurrr Yes!! I actually knew curly-haired girls who in high school had a huge makeover moment when they cut their hair from a heavy pyramid-shaped blunt cut that their mom gave them over the bathroom sink, to a layered, shaped cut with movement and definition. Honestly it had way more impact. And I'm bitter that after the "straighten" reveal they never show how the character is saddled with daily upkeep. And I'm bitter that the snobby stylist characters always act like the natural female body is somehow impossible to work with...? "Oh no, virgin hair!" -said no colorist ever.
@@pistachiopanda I know this. Like i said I understand the symbolism. But I also remember spending hours a day straightening my hair before dances or school and crying about how i wasn't pretty and burning my hands with the straightener, bc all media around me said "dressing up nice and looking pretty" meant having straight hair. Like i get the point the movie is going for but as a young curly haired kid, having her fancy dress up scene have straight hair, exactly like every other movie at the time, was just more insistence that my curly hair wasn't pretty Also like i said originally I know my dislike is petty and beneath the costume design principles. But even if the costume design is good, i can just... Not like it
honestlyyyy, i didn't like how different she was styled for the ball the first time i watched it. but when i realized the symbolism behind it, it became such a genius choice.
It’s not just the dress that I didn’t like but the overall look… just because she’s becoming a “real woman” doesn’t mean she gas to lose her personality to fit into the real world
This is a dress where I absolutely appreciate the thought and symbolism that went into it, but it just consists of a bunch of elements that I personally really dislike. That mauve shade is one of my least favorite colors, and I’ve never liked sweetheart necklines or rhinestones on dresses. Again, I fully understand that it serves a very important purpose, but just on a personal, subjective level, it’s everything I don’t like 😂
I like how bit by bit you convinced me to like the dress haha. I used to think it was to plane for the moment but from your analysis it did make sense. Keep up the great work :D
i always loved the dress! I didn't know people didn't like it. Everything you mentioned in the video makes a lot of sense and the costumes are one of the many reasons of why I fell in love with this movie ever since it came out in 2007. Also, the fact that you talked to the actual costume desinger?! So cool! In the end Enchanted is so iconic and it still holds up almost 15 years later! I can't wait for the sequel, hope it doesn't disappoint!
The cartoon pink dress would have translated perfectly to this and was a missed opportunity to show how she is a true fairy tail come to life and the dress would still look tame and fit in with the real world a simple sheath with ribbion and translucent shoulders. Purple was a great choice to show how she shed the pink innocence of the world to the mature purple. Even better have the ribbons get caught while climbing and have her tear them showing the sever between her and the fantasy world. Also her dress shop was fanciful and so is her taste ergo the ball dress is too plain. The trumpet bottom was too little too late; at least make it two tone to show a touch of internal conflict. I am the purple dress hater. Who is with me on this?
I think it's supposed to look wrong on her, because she chose it with someone else's help. It's not her style at all because she is trying so hard to fit in. We know her personality and her creativity but most of the people at the ball just see her as a normal woman. A simple and somewhat unflattering dress makes sense.
@@jessn.3851 I kind of see your point but she took the daughter with her shopping and her style is also fanciful. Fitting in makes sense but it was a fairy tale ball. Maybe in her mind she didn't understand the theme, then ok. It was a big reveal that built up only to be a let down imo. I'm glad it was justified for many watchers but it just hits wrong for me. Nancy's dress was killer though!
I was always super underwhelmed by the purple dress and thought everyone else at the dance looked a lot more interesting, but with the context of her standing out from the crowd and growing as a character, it makes more sense.
I forgot how much of an amazing movie it great was and now looking back at the fashion, its JUST BEAUTIFUL! I'm sooo excited about a sequel and I hope it's good because that's a tough act to follow
yes I do. really the one thing I didn't like about this movie, and also the transparent shoes. the plum color I hate also hate the collar. Not flattering at all on the actress.
@@zuul81 I have always despised this dress for that exact point. I 100% get the symbolism, it just hits her chest in a horribly unflattering way; she looks like she's straining to not move her chest lest it slip down oddly. The cups of the dress should have come up higher to completely encase her bust, as did the dress she wore out shopping right before the ball. Then I would have been fine with it. The U-halter is too long visually from her neck to her lower bust; it also makes the dress look like it's one dance move away from falling off.
I always loved the dress because of the whole narrative point of the ball and like the movie as a whole. The fairytale ball is full of New Yorkers and dressing up in huge ball gowns is their version of escapism. For Giselle, who has lived her whole life in a fairytale, New York is the farthest from her reality and so dressing modern is her way to escape her reality. Plus it’s the darkest outfit she wears which fits the darkest segment of the film. I love this dress!! (And I also loved this video ❤️)
Thank you for doing the research, actually connecting with the costume designer and defending this dress with the proper symbolism it represents (along with the progression of her overall look). It’s a good dress and there was thought behind its choice.
Yeah I was one of those people who didn't like how they dressed her for that scene. No shade on the actual dress itself, which is pretty enough, but the fact that she's literally going to a costume ball, the only one not in costume. It was obviously supposed to be symbolic and avant garde and so forth for her to be "not matching everyone else" at a *gasp* fairytale ball, in a movie that was supposed to be poking fun at a lot of Disney's own tropes anyway. But for me it fell flat. Just like how Emma Watson's golden gown in the 2017 B&tB remake fell flat because of all the expectations the movie implicitly built to that point, so subconsciously the audience is expecting The Dress at this point in Enchanted. It's The Moment of the movie where Giselle is supposed to be having her actual, real debut, unlike at the beginning of the movie, when her character is just starting out on her literal and metaphorical journey. So it's frustrating, rather than enlightening, for her "big moment" when she's coming to fruition as a character to turn out to be just another vaguely modern-looking simple dress, especially since her look has been both so distinctive and gorgeous the entire film up till that moment. Talk about a letdown.
i like how, while her other real world dresses have a lot of detail (sparkles, patterns, trim) that often get simplified out in animation for practicality’s sake, her final modern dress is so simple, with a similar silhouette to her pink animated dress in the beginning. it feels almost like little bookend throwback to me, but with enough difference that it fully represents how her experience in the real world has changed her
I got the irony that they wanted to portray in the end with them having her on a modern outfit while the others are wearing fantasy dresses when I first watched it but I couldn't understand why I loved it so thanks for explaining!
I remember 6 year old me audibly gasping in the theater when she appeared wearing the purple dress, it has always looked beautiful on her, and I was all about the big ballroom princess dresses. It was a great choice for the character and Amy looked *stunning*
Her purple dress look is also a modern interpretation of how she looked when we first see her in the film, at least in my opinion. Also, i love how they incorporated the art nouveau references into the animation of the movie. Look at how her hair moves, with the curls and waves spiraling much like the organic forms found in art nouveau pieces. This movie is easily my favorite Disney film from an art standpoint.
Ok but the dress is so fucking cute and simple and I love it so much my favorite film ever 💜💜💜 also Amy Adams is such an amazing actress and played this character perfectly
Personally i liked the dress and i understand the motive behind making it that shade of purple but its just not my favorite color. I felt like it kindoff washed out the bright character Giselle had.
I don't think the dress is ugly, but I am perplexed by them putting her in purple. I just think I would want to go with something that contrasted the queen more.
Even as a kid I understood Giselle's dress and what it meant, to an extent at least. I had no idea people didn't like it, especially to this extent. Her wardrobe is really important for expressing her desires and progression as a character, I don't think any other dress would've done Giselle the justice she deserves.
I think people are upset because it doesn't look right for her, but that's the whole point. She went against her own personal taste and opinions to try and fit into what Robert wanted. I don't like how it looks but I think it works perfectly for the movie. We almost feel the same inner conflict as she does because something is not quite right about it. She has given up a part of herself for that moment and it is sad, but it's not permanent.
I watched this movie eagerly as a child, but it got me confused as to why disney removed the storyline of a disney princess getting married to a prince, but when i rewatched this as a teenager it came to me that it's suppose to tell the real life story of finding love
I think that the parallel of her standing out for being too fantasized and, then in the ball, for being real/grown-up, is brilliant. I appreciate when you can see effort and thought putted into the film. And btw, her dress looks elegant, simple, and elevated; choosing a neutral purple makes her hair color stand out, truly harmonious.
Let’s be honest our girl Amy Adams looks good in everything
Periodt ✨
fr
Especially in purple
Well... YES.
So true she is very beautiful
Notice how all three women also take up the role of stepmother at some point in the movie. Not sure if it was intentional, but the shades of purple unify them in that respect and also emphasize how different they are. Narissa is the storybook villain, Nancy is initially treated like she’s going to be an evil stepmother, and Giselle becomes the good stepmother that contradicts the fairytale character trope.
Stop it I’m crying
@@savanahbanana13 e
👏👏👏👏
Good analysis
Omg right Giselle is an actual stepmother in the end lol
I think her purple dress is symbolic since it shows at the ball she wanted it to be real. While Robert who is wearing an outfit from a fairytale, he wanted it to be like a fairytale. Showing how they impacted each other.
And if you go back to the introduction, you'll notice that the 'prince' mannequin that she created looks more like Robert than like Edward!
Okay I understand what they were trying to go for with that purple dress but there are literally a million other modern dresses with sleek silhouettes that would have looked so much better! Her dress literally looks exactly like this t-shirt material swimsuit cover up I used to have. Literally right down to the color it looks cheap I feel like they could have even put her in pants or a pants suit or some other modern dress that doesn't look like a cheap t-shirt material swimsuit cover up. Plus that silhouette just is not flattering on her. She's an absolutely beautiful woman and that dress is just doing her no favors
They're also meeting each other halfway: he's embracing her romanticism a she's embracing his modern sensibility. By the end sequence, they're more back to themselves (him modern, her modern but soft and feminine) but still clearly show the influence they have on each other and their willingness to compromise on the superficial.
@@WhitneyDahlin Ok you wish Gisele wore something more expensive, got it, but keep in mind her and Morgan bought that with Robert’s credit card, he would’ve been pissed
@@nancyomalley6286 an easter egg right there... How come I never noticed that
The purple dress is also supposed to be put next to what Robert is wearing - a Disney Prince suit.
Giselle's arc in the film is realising that the fantasy of Andalasia isn't for her any more, and to commit to the realism of New York.
Robert's arc in the film is relaxing from being a stuffy, sterile lawyer - so the suit he wears to the dance is symbolic of his understanding that Giselle and his daughter have dreams and fantasies that are valid to have.
Their costumes in the scene are them showing a willingness to compromise - she's okay not being a Disney princess, he's understanding that fantasies are okay (at the start of the film, his daughter wants a fairy book, he gives her a book about female politicians).
And at the end scene where all three are dancing in their home, their clothes reflect this: she's got a feminine, if subdued dress on, her hair is up, but curly, and he's in a bit more colour, and acting a bit goofy.
I like how as she’s getting more grounded in reality, we as the audience can see how they’re telling us that, without telling us
Exactly!!!!!
I wish some recent movies would follow this, I hate being told everything. Trust that your audience can figure it out,but don't make us too confused
right?!! costume design is an amazing part of film; we were actually taught in film school to always try to show rather than tell bc it feels more natural to the audience that way
Also your profile pic is everything
I LOVE your icon
@@aanyamallick7747 Well, that should really be a given. There's a storytelling rule of "show, not tell". Problem is, people these days are more or less too lazy or braindead to watch anything decent these days. Most people would just want things to be spoonfed to them, rather than having their brains work out the details and be pleasantly surprised about their discoveries.
I've never been all that gaga over Patrick Dempsey but the part where he gently sings in her ear during their dance makes me weak at the knees EVERY. SINGLE. TIME.
Yeeees!😩
I never knew people didn't like her dress. I thought the whole point was to "modernize" her in the movie, and have her stand out from everyone. They did so with her princess mindset when she first arrived to New York. So I figured, it would've been anti-climatic, to put her a big fluffy dress like the rest at the party since we saw her in that already. Am I missing something here?
that's exactly what i thought as well! clothing can narrate a story super well and i thought the purple dress represented how her character developed throughout the story. starting out with a super puffy dress and ending in a sleek more modern purple dress. her transition from being naive and living in a fantasy world to realizing that the world isnt perfect and her being angry at robert. i feel the poofiness represented her being sort of an airhead lol and being in a tighter dress with less details to show how she got back to the ground.
Agreed! I don't especially love the colour but alas thought it was fitting.
I agree but I still hate the dress. It could be sleek and modern without being so boring.
Me too
Same I was stunned when I first saw it in the movie. It was gorgeous
I love the dress, I personally would prefer if she hadn’t straightened her hair-but it makes perfect sense for the story and the scene, showing her total transformation.
I’m kind of obsessed with the costumes in this movie, Giselle’s dresses make exactly the impact they should. Now I need to rewatch. It’s been sooo longb
Yeah, the straight hair makes her look more like a Daphne costume in my eyes. I think if she’d had a ponytail or something of the sort it’d look better
I hear many people say they dislike that Giselle didn’t wear a costume to a costume ball. However, I was under the impression that, to Giselle, this modern, simple gown WAS a costume! When we choose a costume, don’t we usually pick something that is a far reach from our daily wardrobe? Something that we either wish we could be, would like to pretend we are, or want to feel like for one night? Giselle’s daily Andalusian attire may be a costume by most people’s standards, but to her, that was her typical wardrobe! Wouldn’t it make sense that she finds the opposite to be unusual and costume-like?
Wow very interesting point
Also, I would be suprised if she grasped the idea of it being a costume ball as the way it was presented would have seemed very normal to her. She would want to look stylish, so she boutght clothes that I'm assuming the salespeople said were so.
Exactly my thoughts!
Omg so true I never noticed that!
EXACTLY! I thought it was a pretty clear idea. But I’ve only see a handful of people talking about this.
Um am I the only one who loved that dress on her ? Like I was stunned when she walked down those stairs in that purple dress 💜 the best she looked in the whole movie in my opinion
I can’t believe Enchanted isn’t on Disney+
I call them out every month wondering where the hell it is.
That's what I'm sayingg and I can't find the movie anywhere I miss watching it😭😭
Right ?! The injustice
right!!
really? It's on disney+ where I live
7:10 *"Everyone else wants to be in a fairy tale. But for her, New York is the dream."*
Damn. This hits right in the feels.
THIS SENTENCE PUT WHAT I WANTED TO SAY PERFECTLY
Wait people hate Giselle’s purple dress?! I love it 💜😭
Me too! I thought it is regal and elegant on her
I think it's moreso that after an entire film where you have these gorgeous, huge and detailed dresses, she ends the film in that one. It's literal rom-com film law: if you're having a big staircase reveal moment, it's gotta be spectacular 😭
@@taniap5361 I guess, but at the same time this film was all about subverting tropes like that. In most cases the ball with the staircase reveal is one of the high points for the princess/heroine character and it's the moment she gets her guy. In this movie, however, the ball is the lowest point emotionally for Giselle because she thinks this is going to be her last dance with the man she loves. She's sad and it comes out in her outfit, it's the flattest of the outfits and in a sombre colour (purple has been associated with grief and mourning historically). They fully subverted the ball moment by making it the exact opposite of what it was supposed to be in every way and I love them for it because it was a very brave choice.
Me too. It's so beautiful.
@@myriadd6272 You know what, I'm on your side now. That was a great analysis and makes total sense. Defs have to rewatch the movie now that you mention that!
Personally, I don’t like the dress, but that’s more to do with my personal taste and not liking whatever the cut of the neckline is called. It definitely fits with her development and is such a gorgeous shade on Amy Adams. As if she could ever look less than a 10!
Agreed I like that she chose a modern dress I just don't like the one they choose 🤷🏻♀️ the neckline specifically
same!! i just find the dress ugly and unappealing to look at
Yeah, that was always my opinion. I 100% get what they were going for and it needed to be that way for the character development, I just personally think it's not a great cut. 😆
Tbf, this film was made in 2006, back then necklines like this were really popular as ugly as they look now lol
@@clairelouise3591 I didn't like it even then. As said, sometimes it's simply a matter of personal taste... Something about the metallic accent always seemed off to me; now I think about it, maybe I'd like it more if they'd somehow continued it into the dress itself because as it is it keeps feeling to me like a tacked-on aftertought more than an integral part of the design.
In that scene she could have wore a fairytale dress like everyone else, if she wanted to dress like a princess in the real world that was the perfect time and place. But it wasn't the case, because it wouldn't make sense for the character. I think it's beautiful to see the simplicity of the purple dress and how it fits her perfectly
No matter what the dress looks like, I just love the way it moves so seamless and fluid all the time, even when she’s charging into battle. It has sort of a heaviness in draping but a lightness to it when in motion.
Yes, I think a lot of people are underestimating the needs of the dress - she needed to be able to dance in it, and it to fight in it, and it still had to move while soaking wet. A lot of people are complaining about the material, but most materials would have added serious weight to the dress, especially when wet, not mention constricted movement that much more. I can't even begin to imagine how much that wedding dress weighed to begin with, let along soaking wet.
I don't dislike the purple dress exactly. I think its design is elegant and pretty and it makes sense for all these reasons you discuss. But I just wish it looked a little more like it fit Giselle's personality as it has been thus far. The purple is elegant, sleek, smart looking and omg it looks so lovely when she spins. But Giselle is fun and bubbly, and her personality seems to me to be less sleek-ish and more blunt. Maybe I'd like it better if they kept Giselle's hair still curly, just more realistically. Or give it a pretty headband braid or something. Maybe some fun earrings. Some element of her personality just to tie things together might have improved it just enough imo.
Though I still dream of that curtains dress and owning something like that. That dress was my absolute dream as a kid.
It's beautiful ,Amy looks great in everything, her hair and dress represents how her character's developed. When she first came to New York she was dressed like a cartoon princess, then when she attended a ball she wasn't in a royal like European dress. She always stood out.
I get the personality thing tho they shouldve added something but everything else is fine.
Makes sense knowing how unhappy she is in these scenes because she feels she'll never see Robert again afterwards
wow i've never gotten so many likes before wtf. i'm not sure 400 people have ever even seen one of my comments before ngl
I do see your point! It definitely lacks something more unique to Giselle, but in part I get it considering she didn't make all the choices for that clothes iirc (the daughter helped, right?), but yeah keeping her curly hair could have been nice, or some flowery details, maybe.
Also, big same on that curtains dress, it's sooo beautiful!
@@phoenixbro9223 you captured exactly how I feel about that dress... i think it’s lovely, but it’s not the “oh wow” moment we are used to in similar movies where the main character dresses up. It wasn’t exactly the point of the scene, but somehow expected nonetheless (at least for me) so after seeing all the other dresses it just came short...
I feel like even as a kid, I understood "oh, she looks different" and knew that the "downgrade", without the implication that it was bad, was less of a downgrade and more of a simplification, and simple isn't bad. It was on purpose, it was what she wanted. Giselle showed more than once that she is extremely skilled in making beautiful, flowy, fairy tail-esque dresses with bright colors and layers and details. If she WANTED to go all out for the New York ball, she could have. Hell, I can definitely see her repurposing the wedding dress that she came to the real world with. But she chose not to do that. Though I wouldn't have been able to word it as eloquently, even as a young girl I knew this dress matched Robert more because Giselle was starting to fall for him instead of the prince
Did anyone ever catch that Roberts ball outfit resembles Giselles dream prince creation in the beginning of the movie? Nice little bit of foreshadowing there.
Seen this movie at least a dozen times and I never noticed that! Great eye!!!
O: thank you
Yes!! It took a few watches to realize but I loved that!!
Oh, I didn't even catch that!
My sister made me notice that not only Robert was dressed as Giselle's dreamed prince, but also that in her dream they were dancing, which she never does with Edward, just with Robert.i thought it was an amazing detail
For me, this shows her embracing modernity and reality. Her picking up the sword and fought shows maturity and her character development.
Personally, when I saw Giselle's purple dress, I thought about how she became more human than a fairytale. The simple but elegant dress may not make her magical, but she still is beautiful in it, and it certainly shows how much she has matured and how her concept of love has developed.
this! I've been looking for this exact comment lol. Everyone else mostly had varied takes, but this one was what I truly related to.
And considering that the ball was fairytale themed, she was the one standing out due to her dress.
People in the comments are saying the purple dress doesnt suit Giselle's magicalness. However, Giselle is literally a cartoon character turning into a real woman. She isnt supposed to stand out or be this princess at the ball. When she fell in love with Robert and his daughter, she yearned for a normal life. She knew she was gonna go back to the poofy dresses. Why not dress up as a normal woman for once in her lifem
My thoughts on the purple dress: I don't hate it but for her character, it's underwhelming. It just doesn't feel right for me I think. Giselle is a bright, sunny, and kind person yet naive and childish. That is what makes her stand out from the reality though. She is also creative as shown with her making a complete outfit from the rugs and curtains. She is torn at that moment and the biggest flaw for me I think is that it's a make over reveal scene. Makeovers are supposed to bring out the best in you, appearance wise and yet in here, in her reveal scene, she is sad especially the shade of the purple, a very drastic change in her taste in my opinion. It also doesn't help that again, straight hair is considered the pretty one. Then again, she is trying to fit in the real world. The movie lacks a scene of a big reveal with her applying both her old and new taste in fashion. Can't help but think that the movie Mean Girls is what I'm trying to compare it with.
Also it's hard to believe that a creative girl like her would just let her dress be like that considering its a ball but then I guess she's trying to fit in
I agree. She look so bored in that dress. And the hair. I think that she does not need such metamorfosis. I love her personality. No need a bored adult.
Agree- it’s so drab. I really worried that she was just going to stop being her to get the guy. Eek.
I think what some people are missing is what someone else here commented: this is not supposed to be a Cinderella moment. It’s an anti-Cinderella moment. She is not there to have a striking appearance. That’s not what the makeover is for. This time the makeover serves a different purpose.
And she’s supposed to look sad. Not her cheery self. And because she’s trying to be part of this world, she discards all the fairy tale touches and embraces pure simplicity.
That's how I feel! Although it's supposed to symbolize her change in personality, it's so boring and plain. It doesn't fit her character anymore.
@@amairplanebrrrpppptttttt9094 The dress is not supposed to fit her character. It's supposed to look wrong for her to fit what she is experiencing at that moment, how desperately she wants to fit in even if she doesn't really belong there. It's not a permanent change as after the ball she has more of her own style again and finds a proper balance.
I like that when Giselle first enters the real world, she's dressed like Fairy Tale princess, and everyone is dressed in modern clothing, But for the fairy tale ball, she's wearing a sleek modern dress, while everyone is wearing ye olde garbs. She always stands out. Also, I like to point out that when Edward "slays" the bus, you can see a poster for Superman Returns, which is super ironic in a foreshadowy way, considering Amy Adams would end up playing Lois Lane.
James Marsden was in Superman Returns!
WOAHHHH
That is awesome!
The dress is gorgeous and it’s clearly very symbolic. i cannot see why someone would dislike it. Enchanted is one of my comfort movies
I just watched enchanted and this is one of the most iconic movies no one can tell me different😌
Same
I always say that Amy Adams deserved an award for this role. She absolutely NAILED the embodiment of a cartoon princess. Her mannerisms, voice, facial expressions - expertly conveyed! James Marsden did fabulously as well! That man has range!
I agree, is one of my favorite Disney movies
@@rabederhexe same
I agree, it’s so good ❤️
I like that she didn’t wear a typical princess dress, I just hate the dress. There are far nicer designs that would have still been symbolic of her growth and acceptance of the reality she’s been living in. In all fairness, pretty much no one looks good in that mermaid style dress.
Yes! I never liked the metallic halter detail and the dress isn't very memorable imo, but everything you said about the symbolism of her costume evolution is spot on, and I think it was quite evident in her story arc without it being too in-your-face.
Yeah the dress is pretty but that halter part is just🤢😂
are you kidding me? ngl the dress was very iconic. Even if its simple, its iconic.
I understand the character arc, but I love her blue dress the most... the purple dress is so plain. If she doesn't want it anymore I'll take it!
I know it makes sense for the narrative and character development of Giselle to wear a modern dress, but I still don't love it. She could've worn a modern dress that retained some of her original quirks. She doesn't have to completely abandon her history to be a grown up human.
yes! Thank you!
for me, the material looks kinda cheap? it being modern doesn't bother me either.
For sure!
The male fall in love with her cheer personality. Why change everything of that?
We need more fantasy and less bored adult things.
I don’t know. I think that was kinda the whole point. Too show how much she changed. Plus she wears a dress like that in the final scenes of the movie. I think she looks great
As a teen, when this film first came out. I was obsessed with her wardrobe! Which is why the modern dress felt like such a let down. I hated the color and the gunmetal halter. But as I grew up, I saw the storytelling behind the muted mauve and adored the way the silhouette moved on the floor. It was the perfect choice for how her character felt in that moment.
i completely understand the point of the dress and the symbolism. don’t get me wrong. i like the dress, but it just always felt very lackluster for the moment, especially since her entrance is meant to mirror cinderella. however, it feels quite boring for the actual character. you can modernize her and develop her while still keeping her original style. idk if i’m making any sense, but i hope i am?
i understand you- i just even left a similar comment. i like what it represents in her character and in her journey, but just the styling and color is underwhelming to me. like maybe she wears the dress without the gun halter part and instead a diamond necklace with a flower jewel on it. parts of her old princess style with more a modern silhouette to show her inner conflict. like this is her moment to look beautiful in a modern and sleek way but i always found it underwhelming :/
@Gabrielle Porter
exactly!
But maybe that’s the point? In the real world grand reveals aren’t really a thing. Plus it was meant to be more of a intimate moment. Others may not notice her, but Robert does. There are places for Cinderella entrances, but not here
I agree, I think it’s the colour that doesn’t quite work for me
@@diamondcentury21 for me is the top of the dress, the sort of lace that is around her neck and stops at the chest, idk
I’ve always thought that the point of the purple dress (and the whole dance scene) was to show that Giselle wants to be in/apart of Roberts world. And in that same scene Robert is dressed as if he wants to be in her world. It’s almost symbolic of how in a relationship you may change to meet the others needs, and in this case they were happy to see eachother in their perspective worlds. I just find that romantic💖
Also I never noticed as a kid that the sculpture that Giselle is making in the beginning of the movie is literally Robert 🤦♀️
People don’t like the purple dress? That’s… just weird. I’ve always loved it. Symbolism of her character growth and all that. Plus it’s my favorite color.
The fact that it makes sense for the story doesn't mean it isn't ugly. The two are not mutually exclusive. I understand what they were going for symbolically, but I still think the costume designer could have found/made a more flattering dress that still achieved that goal. I may be biased as I hate the fashion of the 2000s, but still.
i'm curious, what about the dress do you think is so ugly? maybe the rest of us are blinded by nostalgia
@@U.E-o4w It comes down to cut and silhouette mostly. I actually don't dislike the color. The mermaid skirt looks awkward and frumpy and I actually think it would've better fit the "mature" look they were going for had it been a more tight, straight skirt with a slit or train. I also am just confused by the mess going on with the bust and neckline. The wrapped/rouched bra thing going on with the bust is disruptive to the overall attempt at a sleek silhouette. And I really just can't get behind the metal necklace. I think if they really wanted to include it, it would've looked better as just a separate piece of jewelry, not something connected to the dress. Sorry this was such a long answer but there's a lot to dislike with this dress lol.
@@aurorareynolds585 ooh a slit dress is a good idea. And I agree about the necklace thing, it does *not* look good as an attached piece. I really love the subtextual idea they were going for but yeah little details changed like that I feel like would make it look better. I never paid attention to the dress in particular tho when I watched and rewatched the movie before :)
that is true tbh
Well I thought it was (and still is) really pretty
In my opinion, her purple dress was just... ok. I felt like it needed something. It was too simple in comparison to everything else she wore. It's not ugly... Just plain.
I think that was kinda the point
Honestly the dress she wore after it was pretty. So, I'm not sure why they didn't make it better. It's fine if other's like it tho.
@@jandm4ever716 No, this dress erases all her personality in fashion. They could’ve added a fairy tale touch.
In this scene, she is just a woman, not a princess. She doesn't stand out in any way. Also the dress doesn't fit her style on purpose, because she asked for advice on what to wear. She is completely out of her element.
@@jessn.3851 @Jess N. How come she didn't make a dress like she did throughout the movie? She even opened a fashion house at the end.
She even got her hair and makeup done for the ball.
The movie could've had this be a simple house party to better illustrate her womanhood if that's what they were going for. They actually put a spotlight on her to make her stand out.
Also, how come people are acting like I hate the dress? Like I said it was ok. But, I loved her hair and shoes.
I just watched the movie again and I felt like it needed a necklace or some filigree designs similar to Robert or Edward. Or maybe a purple ombre/gradient.
No one can change my mind, Enchanted is Disney's best live action film
Yes 😍❤️
Nope. Not when pirates of the Caribbean, malificent and Narnia exist
@@brookefossum8634mostly comparing it to their live reaction remakes. Like I can't compare enchanted, or Narnia to their live action films from the 60s.
What? I never knew people hated this dress. I've always thought it was beautiful, and before I even went on the Internet, I've always interpreted the modernity and simplicity of it as a way to 1) get her to stand out among an entire ballroom of people dressed in pseudo-period/fairytale clothing, and 2) show that she's becoming attached to the real world, and by extension, Robert. I thought that was the whole point all along and it was honestly so obvious to me that I'm shocked that anyone would believe otherwise.
I agree with you.
I LOVE the purple dress! I loved it as a kid and I love it now! I still want one of my own. Its gorgeous! I love the way the bottom of the dress moves! It shows her character evolution perfectly! But my dress favorite is still the pink one with the flowers she made! Enchanted was my favorite movie when I was nine until I was twelve. I'm both scared and excited for the sequel! I hope its just as good and doesn't ruin the original.
THE WAY I JUST SCREAMED AT MY PHONE YASSSSSS I FUCKING LOVE THIS DRESS! I know the whole So Close dance by heart. It was my comfort song and scene in high school.
when I was a kid I saw this dress for the first time and thought it was the absolute pinnacle of mature and beautiful, like only a real adult could pull this off.
cant wait to watch, ive always liked it and thought it went beautifully with her hair!
I love Mona May's skill with juxtaposition. As I was watching this it hit how Cher's first outfit in Clueless and Ty's were both a form of flannel but how they were styled had very different impacts and perceptions. Mona May really is an artist. Your analysis videos are always super on point. Would to see you do more collabs eith Clever and Chic!
i definitely love this dress and the way she looks in it- and although i understand why they chose the dress i think part of the general dislike is the fact that it's a costume ball and she is just. not costuming!!
EXACTLY THIS. HOW DOES THIS WORK FOR A COSTUME BALL LOL
This lol I appreciate it now, but as a kid I was always annoyed that she showed up to a costume party without a costume 😂
yes this!!! the purple dress made the reveal of the makeover anticlimactic
I was always under the impression that Giselle has a different understanding of the concept of a costume ball/costume. The clothes she normally wears would likely be considered a costume by everyone else’s standards. In contrast, the dress she wore to the ball may feel more like a “costume” to her because it is the opposite of her daily wardrobe. The simple, modern dress is her version of dressing up and pretending to be something she’s not - or rather, it’s her dressing as something she wants to be/ how she wants to feel. I think to Giselle, this purple gown was a costume!
@@misslinguinni I never thought about it that way. You just gave me a whole new view of this scene.
I don’t like that straight hair is considered the more “real” version of her, as if her curly hair before was just for show.
Well, her hair was clearly naturally straight
She isn’t a natural curly hair wearer.
Sadly because curly hair is Cute with a capital C
But honestly I agree with you
Curly hair is just as natural and pretty as straight hair
It was just never implied in universe that she was curling her hair (if I’m remembering correctly) so the assumption is that after her makeover her hair was straightened. I know her actress has straight hair but her character, in my opinion, was implied to have curly hair naturally.
@@yafahannon6544 when we meet Giselle in true love 's kiss she has straight hair
I love what the dress symbolises, and I love the colours, the mermaid style everything. But that neckline hurts my soul
This film is a SACRED PATRIMONY, we've slept on it for so long, I'm glad your talking abou the purple dress and the meaning behind her clothes, so well done! Thank you
I love the purple dress, I’ve always thought Amy Adams looked gorgeous in it 💜💜
Always enjoy a good symbolism chat! Great video! I've definitely been among that crowd who dislikes that dress - for me it's the neckline. That plunging U shape cut with a bandeau bust distracted my eye to everything. I understood the symbolism of the dress but like you said, it's very 2007, and that bandeau cut was all the rage, but did not flatter everyone.
For me, the outline of the dress is great. I just think it should've been gold. That would've kept the message and Giselle's bright, magical nature.
the color is a bit drab. i guess i understand like her confusion between the two but damn. i just think the dress could have been so much better and still told the story.
@@delobster7711 Azalea's Dolls has the dress in a richer purple--that would've done it.
It was drab on purpose. She doesn't want to stand out, she wants to fit in. It's supposed to look not quite right for her.
I freaking LOVE her dress at the end and also noticed the transformation from her more detailed and frilly dresses to the modern and plain dress.
Great analysis on all the dresses and her transformation.
I never really liked it, because it felt out of touch with Giselle's fairytale-like attributes and qualities, but it makes a lot more sense now, especially with the transition via the off shoulder pink dress.
For me, this dress has always made sense, even when I first watched the movie as a kid. I love it, it's simple, elegant, beautiful, very efficient to fight dragons and it kind of solidifies her as a new yorker, after all she's been through
I’ve love the dress because it stands out even if it is “plain” by some people standards it’s still beautiful.
They can still give her a pretty modern dress, that dress was so unflattering.
they probably didn't want to overdo it to make the fight scenes look more fluid and believable
@@donovangallegos7839 I get that, but a princess cut dress would’ve been even more comfortable…
I think the point was that it wasn't quite right for her. It wasn't her style at all. A princess dress would have appealed to her taste, but she couldn't trust her own opinion on what would be appropriate to people in our world. She wasn't trying to stand out, she was trying to fit in and just be a normal woman. The man she loved was into women who were serious.
Okay I understand what they were trying to go for with that purple dress but there are literally a million other modern dresses with sleek silhouettes that would have looked so much better! Her dress literally looks exactly like this t-shirt material swimsuit cover up I used to have. Literally right down to the color it looks cheap I feel like they could have even put her in pants or a pants suit or some other modern dress that doesn't look like a cheap t-shirt material swimsuit cover up. Plus that silhouette just is not flattering on her. She's an absolutely beautiful woman and that dress is just doing her no favors
Right?! The way it bunches at her waist as she moves and walks drive me crazy.
To me, my FAVORITE little unspoken detail is that strap adjustment on her yellow dress in one of the last (or possibly the last) scene after everything is settled. It brings her fully into the real world with all its flaws and foibles, from the major (like at the ball) or the minor (adjusting a dress strap because life happens).
i know it’s important significance and how it was meant to modernize her- i just genuinely think it’s an underwhelming dress😭😭 like it’s nice… the intention is there… i just wish they put her in a different dress.
i still don't love the dress tbh but hearing how it relates to her character development makes me warm to it a little more
I understand the symbolism reasons, and they're all very good by my reasons for not liking it are very petty and silly and below all that.
1. Even tho her hair isn't naturally curly, seeing beautiful women with curly hair as the heroine on TV was rare for me as a kid, so seeing her before looks was more "that looks like me! She has hair like me and she's still pretty!" And seeing her hair straight at the end felt like a let down from that (I know she has straight hair at the beginning too but like. Curly haired kids were desparate okay)
2. I like big poofy dresses and this looked like a dress I could've seen anywhere at the time and it bored me.
I'm just petty here haha
YES I came to find commentary on the 00s trend of "curly hair is messy!!! MAKEOVER MEANS STRAIGHTEN" dogma and bullying in that era over girls hair that hasn't been straightened
@@naurrr Yes!! I actually knew curly-haired girls who in high school had a huge makeover moment when they cut their hair from a heavy pyramid-shaped blunt cut that their mom gave them over the bathroom sink, to a layered, shaped cut with movement and definition. Honestly it had way more impact. And I'm bitter that after the "straighten" reveal they never show how the character is saddled with daily upkeep. And I'm bitter that the snobby stylist characters always act like the natural female body is somehow impossible to work with...? "Oh no, virgin hair!" -said no colorist ever.
Yeah, especially at the end her hair is curly again.
Her hair is naturally curly, so she dressed up the opposite way. She normally wears extravagant dresses, so she wore a simple one.
@@pistachiopanda I know this. Like i said I understand the symbolism.
But I also remember spending hours a day straightening my hair before dances or school and crying about how i wasn't pretty and burning my hands with the straightener, bc all media around me said "dressing up nice and looking pretty" meant having straight hair.
Like i get the point the movie is going for but as a young curly haired kid, having her fancy dress up scene have straight hair, exactly like every other movie at the time, was just more insistence that my curly hair wasn't pretty
Also like i said originally I know my dislike is petty and beneath the costume design principles. But even if the costume design is good, i can just... Not like it
I saw this when I was really young and when I saw this purple dress it was really a moment for me . She looked so beautiful.
honestlyyyy, i didn't like how different she was styled for the ball the first time i watched it. but when i realized the symbolism behind it, it became such a genius choice.
omg tessa!! I always loved the purple dress but never really understood why she didn’t go with the theme until now. So glad you made this video!!
It’s not just the dress that I didn’t like but the overall look… just because she’s becoming a “real woman” doesn’t mean she gas to lose her personality to fit into the real world
i totally loved that dress growing up and i still do. you perfectly defended this dress!! love your videos, as always!!
The dress is just a way to symbolize Giselle's growth after leaving her fairytale world, and becoming more comfortable with reality.
To make a dress out of curtains and a beautiful rug, that's some lvl of creativity.
This is a dress where I absolutely appreciate the thought and symbolism that went into it, but it just consists of a bunch of elements that I personally really dislike. That mauve shade is one of my least favorite colors, and I’ve never liked sweetheart necklines or rhinestones on dresses. Again, I fully understand that it serves a very important purpose, but just on a personal, subjective level, it’s everything I don’t like 😂
I like how bit by bit you convinced me to like the dress haha.
I used to think it was to plane for the moment but from your analysis it did make sense.
Keep up the great work :D
Oh, I've always loved the dress since I was a kid, surprised to hear people don't like it!
i always loved the dress! I didn't know people didn't like it. Everything you mentioned in the video makes a lot of sense and the costumes are one of the many reasons of why I fell in love with this movie ever since it came out in 2007. Also, the fact that you talked to the actual costume desinger?! So cool! In the end Enchanted is so iconic and it still holds up almost 15 years later! I can't wait for the sequel, hope it doesn't disappoint!
The cartoon pink dress would have translated perfectly to this and was a missed opportunity to show how she is a true fairy tail come to life and the dress would still look tame and fit in with the real world a simple sheath with ribbion and translucent shoulders. Purple was a great choice to show how she shed the pink innocence of the world to the mature purple. Even better have the ribbons get caught while climbing and have her tear them showing the sever between her and the fantasy world. Also her dress shop was fanciful and so is her taste ergo the ball dress is too plain. The trumpet bottom was too little too late; at least make it two tone to show a touch of internal conflict. I am the purple dress hater. Who is with me on this?
I think it's supposed to look wrong on her, because she chose it with someone else's help. It's not her style at all because she is trying so hard to fit in. We know her personality and her creativity but most of the people at the ball just see her as a normal woman. A simple and somewhat unflattering dress makes sense.
@@jessn.3851 I kind of see your point but she took the daughter with her shopping and her style is also fanciful. Fitting in makes sense but it was a fairy tale ball. Maybe in her mind she didn't understand the theme, then ok. It was a big reveal that built up only to be a let down imo. I'm glad it was justified for many watchers but it just hits wrong for me.
Nancy's dress was killer though!
you guys never miss!! it's so cool that you got to talk to someone from the movie!! forever a fan
I was always super underwhelmed by the purple dress and thought everyone else at the dance looked a lot more interesting, but with the context of her standing out from the crowd and growing as a character, it makes more sense.
Explained it looks so much better. I love your videos.
I love Giselle because they gave us a new princess without repeating the same old disney princesses
and she gets a sequel really soon! It’s called Disenchanted and it comes to Disney+ in 2022 💙
I forgot how much of an amazing movie it great was and now looking back at the fashion, its JUST BEAUTIFUL! I'm sooo excited about a sequel and I hope it's good because that's a tough act to follow
to me, it's not ugly just kinda underwhelming but I think you just can't really blame the dress just the whole look
Perfect analysis!!!
Wait, there are people who hate the purple dress?
BLASPHEMY!🤯
yes I do. really the one thing I didn't like about this movie, and also the transparent shoes. the plum color I hate also hate the collar. Not flattering at all on the actress.
@@zuul81 I have always despised this dress for that exact point. I 100% get the symbolism, it just hits her chest in a horribly unflattering way; she looks like she's straining to not move her chest lest it slip down oddly. The cups of the dress should have come up higher to completely encase her bust, as did the dress she wore out shopping right before the ball. Then I would have been fine with it. The U-halter is too long visually from her neck to her lower bust; it also makes the dress look like it's one dance move away from falling off.
Totally agree, I questioned myself why she didn't wear a fairytale gown, but also it would be impossible climb the tower with other dress.
I always loved the dress because of the whole narrative point of the ball and like the movie as a whole. The fairytale ball is full of New Yorkers and dressing up in huge ball gowns is their version of escapism. For Giselle, who has lived her whole life in a fairytale, New York is the farthest from her reality and so dressing modern is her way to escape her reality.
Plus it’s the darkest outfit she wears which fits the darkest segment of the film. I love this dress!! (And I also loved this video ❤️)
Thank you for doing the research, actually connecting with the costume designer and defending this dress with the proper symbolism it represents (along with the progression of her overall look). It’s a good dress and there was thought behind its choice.
I hadn’t realised that animated Giselle’s model of her ideal man is wearing almost exactly the jacket that Robert is wearing at the final ball
Thanks for mentioning the Art Nouveau influences. Alphonse Mucha's artwork is amazing.
Yeah I was one of those people who didn't like how they dressed her for that scene. No shade on the actual dress itself, which is pretty enough, but the fact that she's literally going to a costume ball, the only one not in costume. It was obviously supposed to be symbolic and avant garde and so forth for her to be "not matching everyone else" at a *gasp* fairytale ball, in a movie that was supposed to be poking fun at a lot of Disney's own tropes anyway. But for me it fell flat. Just like how Emma Watson's golden gown in the 2017 B&tB remake fell flat because of all the expectations the movie implicitly built to that point, so subconsciously the audience is expecting The Dress at this point in Enchanted. It's The Moment of the movie where Giselle is supposed to be having her actual, real debut, unlike at the beginning of the movie, when her character is just starting out on her literal and metaphorical journey. So it's frustrating, rather than enlightening, for her "big moment" when she's coming to fruition as a character to turn out to be just another vaguely modern-looking simple dress, especially since her look has been both so distinctive and gorgeous the entire film up till that moment. Talk about a letdown.
SHE WAS SO BEAUTIFUL!! I remember replaying this scene when I was younger😭💜
i like how, while her other real world dresses have a lot of detail (sparkles, patterns, trim) that often get simplified out in animation for practicality’s sake, her final modern dress is so simple, with a similar silhouette to her pink animated dress in the beginning. it feels almost like little bookend throwback to me, but with enough difference that it fully represents how her experience in the real world has changed her
I got the irony that they wanted to portray in the end with them having her on a modern outfit while the others are wearing fantasy dresses when I first watched it but I couldn't understand why I loved it so thanks for explaining!
I remember 6 year old me audibly gasping in the theater when she appeared wearing the purple dress, it has always looked beautiful on her, and I was all about the big ballroom princess dresses. It was a great choice for the character and Amy looked *stunning*
Her purple dress look is also a modern interpretation of how she looked when we first see her in the film, at least in my opinion. Also, i love how they incorporated the art nouveau references into the animation of the movie. Look at how her hair moves, with the curls and waves spiraling much like the organic forms found in art nouveau pieces. This movie is easily my favorite Disney film from an art standpoint.
Ok but the dress is so fucking cute and simple and I love it so much my favorite film ever 💜💜💜 also Amy Adams is such an amazing actress and played this character perfectly
how can someone dislike this dress? it's perfect!
Personally i liked the dress and i understand the motive behind making it that shade of purple but its just not my favorite color. I felt like it kindoff washed out the bright character Giselle had.
wow thank you for this analysis, it definitely made me appreciate enchanted more!!
I don't think the dress is ugly, but I am perplexed by them putting her in purple. I just think I would want to go with something that contrasted the queen more.
What?! There’s an Enchanted sequel coming?!?! Great video by the way; you changed my mind about the dress 🌸
Even as a kid I understood Giselle's dress and what it meant, to an extent at least. I had no idea people didn't like it, especially to this extent. Her wardrobe is really important for expressing her desires and progression as a character, I don't think any other dress would've done Giselle the justice she deserves.
Nah, the dress is ugly. There are better looking modern dresses
I think people are upset because it doesn't look right for her, but that's the whole point. She went against her own personal taste and opinions to try and fit into what Robert wanted. I don't like how it looks but I think it works perfectly for the movie. We almost feel the same inner conflict as she does because something is not quite right about it. She has given up a part of herself for that moment and it is sad, but it's not permanent.
I watched this movie eagerly as a child, but it got me confused as to why disney removed the storyline of a disney princess getting married to a prince, but when i rewatched this as a teenager it came to me that it's suppose to tell the real life story of finding love
I've always loved the silhouette of her dress, but I guess I just never liked the color that much.
I think that the parallel of her standing out for being too fantasized and, then in the ball, for being real/grown-up, is brilliant. I appreciate when you can see effort and thought putted into the film.
And btw, her dress looks elegant, simple, and elevated; choosing a neutral purple makes her hair color stand out, truly harmonious.