Monday, October 24, 2011

An Open Letter to Disney (Costume Division)

Dear Disney,

Please stop making your costumes so poorly.

Yes, yes, I know, they are "costumes" and only really supposed to stay together for one or two wearings, three at the most. However, I also know they are designed for children, and you should know that when a child likes something they usually REALLY like it.

Take, for example, my daughter Meg. It was just over two weeks that her grandmother bought her a Princess Tiana costume at Costco. Since that time it has rarely left her body. She has eaten in. She has slept in it. She has played in it. She has twirled in it. Oh, you would not believe the twirling. I have to give it to you that you make dresses that twirl well. They just slowly unravel during said twirls.


It's not like this garment has been treated poorly. I mean, other than the regular toddler wear and tear. Both my Mom and I have carefully hand washed it, treating the fabric (which is apparently made from tissue paper's weaker cousin) like it was spun gold. Despite that the fabric seems hell bent on disintegrating. And in the areas where the fabric is holding fast? The seams are giving up the ghost. Did Cinderella teach you nothing about tying off a knot at the end of stitches?

I won't even go into the fact that no self respecting princess would wear a broach with her own picture on it -- after all, this letter is about quality issues, not common sense. I will just say this: do you really think any little girl wouldn't know which princess dress she was wearing? Do you doubt the effectiveness of your brainwashing that much?

I don't even care if you charge more for the costume. Maybe you could make two different versions, the cheap one time junky costume, and the "you can wear this like clothes" version. I'm sure there are some weird adults who would appreciate it too.

Really, think of the children. Or at least, think of my child. My strange, princess dressed child.

Thanks,

Libby


P.S. I am really not thrilled about your treatment of Moms in movies. The ones who are dead actually come out the best. That's another letter though...

15 comments:

Jill VT said...

Oh man she is beautiful. I guess you'll just have to buy a few back up gowns this year...the funny thing is that when I buy a costume I think, Wow, what a deal! And then two days later, I was ripped off!

Jill VT said...

Oh man she is beautiful. I guess you'll just have to buy a few back up gowns this year...the funny thing is that when I buy a costume I think, Wow, what a deal! And then two days later, I was ripped off!

Riot Kitty said...

She is so cute! I never noticed that about Disney moms. Hmm.

Anonymous said...

I have had to sew Mea's costumes over and over again. You couldn't be more right in the construction issues. Considering that they are not cheap, they should be made better.

Don't get me started on all the evil adopted mothers, evil step-mothers, and all the orphans in Disney movies. You are right, the only "good" mothers are the dead ones. With the exception of Tiana, and her Dad is dead. No more dead parents Disney!

Granny Annie said...

Whatever happened to 1.) Buy the costume. 2.) Let the child try on the costume. 3.) Let the child wear the costume on Halloween. 4.) Put the costume away to hand down to siblings and/or cousins.

My grandchildren too wear their Halloween costumes from purchase to disintegration and I just don't get it. Usually the costume is worn out before Halloween and another one has to be purchased which will be worn as long.

Amanda said...

Can I bring her another one? Please? It is the least I can do after all of the costumes you bestowed upon Luke.

Mandy_Fish said...

It doesn't change when they get older either. My son wants to wear his ninja costume every day after school.

manders said...

we have a costume in our house that has made it through 3 generations. i'm not talking about siblings, i mean GENERATIONS! it's a little bunny costume that my grandma made for my mom, who passed it down to me (and my sister and brother) and now it'll go to my niece. They just don't make 'em like they used to i guess!

LL Cool Joe said...

Sorry but I'm a little disappointed, I assumed you made her fancy dress clothes for her? I thought you were one of those perfect mother's that knocked up a dres on the sewing machine inbetween baking cakes?

Unknown said...

Know that if I could get away with wearing a princess costume without being considered KARAZEEE, I'd do it. Meg is so adorable and fancy. I've heard those costumes are ridiculously frail though. Boys stuff isn't any different. Ninja wear at my house usually last 2 days. 2 FREAKIN' days.

Me, You, or Ellie said...

blah blah blah blah I'm not sure what you are saying because I am transfixed by your glorious girl. I haven't been to your blog in a while, she is so grown up and gorgeous!

xoxo

Jacquie

StephanieC said...

You are so right... little kids love the LIFE out of their favourite outfits, nevermind thinly layerered poorly sewn disappearing polyester!

As an aside, I regularly wear a button or broach with my own photo.

Just in case someone stops looking at my face. You know.

Dr. Cynicism said...

Nice "PS" statement too :-) Disney has issues.

Anonymous said...

If I were any kind of seamstress I would volunteer to make one for that beautiful little girl.

Plus, I love Princess Tiana's dress. XD

Anonymous said...

Holy crap, that's one of the most beautiful princesses I've ever seen!

I find that even adult costumes are very badly put together. Which is definitely part of the reason I try to stay away from store bought costumes (which means I usually never dress up, because I forget until the last minute and then have nothing to dress as).