Princess Syndrome: Where Dreams May Come And How To Get Out Of There

Recently, passing by Place Madeleine in Paris, I noticed a flock of French children. Children of four to five years old, under the guidance of educators, played some kind of exciting and educational game. Looking at them, I didn’t try to figure out “why French children don’t spit food” (I don’t understand the excitement either around this topic or around this book!), But simply admired how stylish and dissimilar they are were dressed. Sundresses, shorts, caps, T-shirts and blouses - everything was free, varied, multi-layered, pleasing to the eye, did not hinder children's movements and flight of imagination.

I remembered this cute episode quite recently, already in Moscow, when, during the so-called "folk festivities", my eyes now and then came across poor girls, helplessly floundering in tulle cuts, shackled at their feet with gold, at best, silver shoes, clutching with a stranglehold on handbags in terrible roses … Why such an unjustified femininity and egregious elegance at such an early age? It was not the crumbs themselves who dressed themselves up like that … But then an inspiration came, and I suddenly realized - they are princesses! Yes, all as one - princesses.

It seems that this is exactly how, even in childhood, a special type of femininity begins to form - "a princess in life." Over the years, this style, widespread in our latitudes, acquires more and more characteristic features - high heels, deep neckline, an abundance of decorative details, flowers in the most unexpected places (including jeans), the shine of noble metal that does not fade away day or night, and pink color in all its forms. In the make-up of "almost fairy-tale heroines" certain patterns are also observed: thick black eyelashes of incredible length, a slight innocent blush on the cheeks and a soft pink gloss on the lips. These adorable creatures are always ready to meet a handsome prince, an endless lace veil and life in a fairy kingdom.

Well, if the universe does not respond to such requests very often, then designers and stylists do not leave this trend unattended and from time to time gladly add fuel to the fire of imperial ambitions. It happened this time too. Recently, make-up artists are betting on pink lipstick, declaring it "the new red", and on blush, naming them the main product of next spring.

I will not argue, with such a beauty arsenal, it is not difficult if you want to resist the aggressive feminism leading the offensive around the world and maintain the inexorably dying fire of great femininity. However, it is important not to play too much here! For mature minds and a stable psyche, this fashion trend is not dangerous. It is pleasing to the eye, quite appropriate for an evening dinner by the sea, at a wedding or a film festival. But to impose it on little girls who have to run, jump, wrap scarves on themselves, rip shirts and chintz sundresses, dirty shorts and, most importantly, endlessly try something new, look for their own personal and unique, is simply dishonest. Realizing our dreams from fairy tales, we most often bring up in children only a bad taste (since decorating ourselves requires an impeccable sense of style and vision of details) and what is especially dangerous,we deprive them of the chance to find and grow their own unique beauty. Perhaps for someone it will coincide with the pink-marshmallow world of girl's dreams, but this will be the result of personal choice, the logical conclusion of the path traveled. And only in this case the girl will look organic both in flowers, and in tiaras, and a dress of the color of the "frightened nymph's thigh".

The fact is that only an image coming from the inside, from the depths of character and perception of the world, can be convincing. Dress up, for example, me as a princess … You will immediately die of laughter! No, of course I will try to play this role, but in my performance it will most likely be reduced to a series of antics and mannerisms. Because it's not mine. Although I also wear lace, but with rough decorations; quite often I wear floor-length dresses, but with nude makeup and no jewelry at all; and for jeans I choose heels and keep red lipstick at hand. This is my aesthetics, in which every corner is familiar to me. Here I can relax and be myself.

The daughter of my friend, charming five-year-old Sasha, is a very wayward person. There is no such force that can force her to wear something against her own will. At the same time, the needle of her personal fashionable barometer ranges from heavy metal with a bias in hard Gothic, to baroque splendor with bows and ruffles. So for a whole week of fierce winter cold she stubbornly pulled on a ballet tutu in the mornings and put on a heap of her violent curls … that's right, a golden crown. On the other hand, on the children's holiday, where she got the role of a fairy so sweet to a girl's heart, she came dressed "like a boy" and did not feel embarrassed a little, played the performance perfectly. I sincerely never cease to admire her mother (by the way, an impeccable lady in the most direct sense of the word). She, of course, discusses with Sasha, possible options for "going out",but always leaves the baby the right to choose. And having accepted this choice, she no longer makes a sour face, does not listen to the "oohs" of the teachers, does not compare her with other children. She watches with genuine pleasure the inner growth of this little woman, thus giving her an incredible boost of self-confidence and a huge supply of love for the future. So even if the baby in the future will dress like a hippie, in her heart she will forever remain a princess.in her heart she will forever remain a princess.in her heart she will forever remain a princess.

PS. Well, for those who are nevertheless closer to the image of a classic villain, here are a few starting points. Wide dark, arched eyebrows, dark red lips and dramatic smoky eyes - this image opposite to "princesses" is also in trend.