The holiday season is upon us, which is exciting — but it comes with a certain number of anxieties. Beyond foundational worries about making sure everyone stays healthy, there are the more trivial fears surrounding things like making small talk and, of course, figuring out what to wear. Even if we can’t help you answer all of those questions (especially the more existentially exhausting ones) we can at least give you some fashion inspo courtesy of The Princess Switch 3. Featuring Vanessa Hudgens in three distinct roles, this fun holiday film provides wardrobe inspiration no matter what your personal style happens to be.
Hudgens plays the film’s three very different main characters — Margaret, Stacy and Fiona — so distinctive wardrobe styling was an essential way to highlight each one’s unique personality, according to costume designer Eleanor Baker. “There were a couple of things that were incredibly important to me from the start to really distinguish those characters,” Baker tells Tudum. “The main one was color, and then after that came silhouette.”
The festive hues of their wardrobes could easily be called upon for upcoming holiday celebrations, and Baker has tips for fans who want to emulate each of the characters’ looks. “I think the styles that you wear should always say something about your character,” Baker explains. “That's exactly why certain clothing appeals to us, and the joy of us all being very different is that we all have a very different take on fashion.” Because Margaret, Stacy and Fiona represent clearly defined personalities, the costume designer says fans of the Princess Switch franchise are likely to naturally gravitate toward one of the three. The character with whom they most identify can be their holiday inspiration this year. Interested in exploring your inner Fiona? Or Margaret? Or Stacy? Here’s how.
“Regal was a word that I never forgot when we were costuming [Margaret]. Regal sums her up because there's a lovely softness and delicacy to her,” Baker says. “She doesn't have to walk in the room and have everyone curtsying and bowing because she demands it. She comes in with a grace that just makes people know she's the queen without having to wear a crown.” If you’re someone who likes to feel very feminine and polished, Margaret is probably your ideal wardrobe inspiration, particularly for special occasions.
“For her entire life, Margaret has been groomed and schooled into her royal position, and I wanted to show that with really classic cuts,” the designer explains. “So we did the sort of Chanel suit look as well as wonderful full skirts.” If you want to create a look worthy of Princess Margaret, follow Baker’s cream and pink color story, and stick to never-too-short skirts or dresses with beautifully textured fabrics.
Baker describes Stacy as a girl-next-door figure in that she’s down-to-earth but always up to tackle a challenge or have fun. “I knew that a lot of girls watching Princess Switch would really relate to Stacy and relate to her journey and the way that her dreams came true,” the designer explains. “Stacy is [the most] practical out of the three. She’s the one that's been dragged into being a royal so we wanted to still keep that practicality about her.” If you identify with that sort of laid-back approach to life, you’ll want to keep Stacy in mind when dressing this season.
“Stacy's that girl that can play the party games without worrying about it because she's got her trousers on,” Baker says. “She can chuck a heel off and put a trainer on, and she looks just as good.” To be able to have a good time with ease like Stacy, don’t over-accessorize. Select practical and comfortable pieces in the same cool blue and green tones that Stacy wears throughout the film. Perhaps even try pairing stylish sneakers with a tailored pantsuit to keep things fun and not too fancy.
If you want to turn heads, you can find your fashion muse in Fiona. Baker calls her sassy and confident, and that’s very clear in the bold wardrobe Fiona wears no matter the occasion. To channel this powerful energy, choose sharp silhouettes created with shoulder pads and black, gold, red and metallic fabrics. This is how Baker shows Fiona’s larger-than-life personality, as well as her strong fashion sense. “I think not being aware of trends with her would have been wrong because, as a character, that is something that is very important to her,” the designer explains. Her catsuits, ’80s revival looks and fake fur, according to Baker, were all choices meant to evoke Fiona’s style-obsession.
Fiona’s hemlines are, without question, shorter than Margaret’s, but she’s still careful not to go overboard. This is something that Baker says everyone should keep in mind when they’re putting together an ensemble. “Fiona may do the short skirts and the high heels, but she doesn't do plunging necklines. She doesn't do cutouts,” the designer explains. “When you look at all the outfits that Fiona wears, there is a ‘less is more’ quality. That’s really true with all the characters, and I think it's important every time you do an outfit. Remember, if it's got a sparkle or if it's got adornment, you don't need to add more to that. Use what it's got and think about the impression you want to give.”
