by Elaine M. Doxie

Created on: September 16, 2010   Last Updated: September 21, 2011

As you look at all the elaborate Disney Princess costumes that can be bought at both the Disney Parks, and at the Disney Store, your little girls are often tugging at you, saying they want to be a "Disney Princess."  Meanwhile, you are looking at the prices and wishing you had enough money to make her dream come true.  Depending on which princess she wants to be, you may be able to make her costume for much less, however.  Here are some of the more popular princesses and how to make a costume that your little princess will love, without killing your pocketbook.  Most of the princess gowns can be started with a simple tunic style dress.  The only thing that differs is the colors.

Cinderella is probably Disney's most popular princess ever.  She finds her prince in a gown of pale blue and silver.  For this costume, start with a pale blue tunic style dress.  Make an overskirt of pale blue tulle, with a ruffle of silver over the tulle.  For a choker, take a length of pale blue ribbon, and tie it loosely.  Put your little girl's hair up in a french twist, and add a silver tiara.  For the finishing touch, don't forget to add a pair of "glass" slippers (clear jelly shoes).  Your little Cinderella is ready for her ball.

Another very popular princess is Belle, from Beauty and the Beast.  Her signature gown is a beautiful golden yellow, to compliment her brown hair and hazel eyes.  For this, you will start with a golden yellow tunic, and overlay it with layers of tulle in the same golden yellow.  For an added sense of sparkle, you can add a layer of gold over the tulle.  For her hair, pull your daughter's hair into a half ponytail, and complete the look with a gold barette.  Shoes for this costume can simply be your daughter's best dress shoes.

Perhaps you would prefer a more exotic looking princess, such as Jasmine.  For a Jasmine costume, you will to start with a pair of light teal leggings, and a matching crop top (you can crop it yourself if need be).  Make a pair of harem pants to go over the leggings, and add some glittery trim to the top.  Don't forget plenty of jewelry as Jasmine tends to wear a lot of it.  Put a headband with a jewel in the middle at the top in her hair, pulling it into a french ponytail if her hair is long enough.  Add a pair of slippers, and you have your own little Jasmine.

Of course, we can't forget the beautiful and hardworking Princess Tiana.  For a Tiana costume, you need to start with a cream colored tunic.  Add layers of pale green tulle, shaped into petals for her dress.  Add a cream colored orchid at the waist.  Pull her hair into a french twist, and complete the look with a floral crown and cream colored veil.  Now, you have your beautiful little Tiana.  Where's Prince Naveen when you need him?

These are just four of the Disney princesses.  There is also Aurora, Pocahontas, Ariel, Snow White, Mulan (who may not officially be a princess, but is still in that family) and now Rapunzel.  There is also the live action movie Enchanted, featuring Gisele.  Any of these are excellent costumes for your little princess. 

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