The Original It Girl: Fancy Nancy
By: Natalie DeVito
Oh la la! You’re invited to revisit your childhood, a mix of messy rooms, frilly dresses thrown up on the floor, loud patterns, an abundance of color, costume jewelry, feathers galore, and all things fancy. Does this perhaps remind you of a girl named… Nancy? Packed into a 2005 children's picture book lived Fancy Nancy, a girl who does not believe in less is more, better yet, MORE is more! Très chic!
Fancy Nancy has become its own aesthetic and followed us into our older ages while still connecting with those younger. She was never afraid to embrace a mess. She refused to shy away from her big dreams and ideas. And most importantly, she encouraged everyone around her to continue being their most fancy selves. Being fancy is up to interpretation. It's what you make it, and what matters is feeling like your best self.
She's a maximalist in nature. You’ll never miss a ruffle in her wardrobe, and you most certainly will never see a lack of color. For fellow maximalists out there, she is our most original it girl.
She has that factor we all have. We all strive to be ourselves, in our most true fashion, no matter how we look. Fancy Nancy has this and more.
She harnessed her innovative natures into our daily lives, by turning a skirt that's become too small and making it a shirt, or by plopping it on your head and turning it into a very avant-garde hat. She represents the crafty brains from scrapbooking to creating an elaborate tea party filled with feathers, crowns, and tutus.
A sucker for a party, Fancy Nancy is always sending out an invitation to something. She is the poster girl for throwing themed parties for her friends. Whether it be a fake wedding, a tea party, holiday party, book club, makeover sesh, or dance party, girlhood has a seat at this event.
Even when lying sick in her bed, she is surrounded by a perfectly plaid canopy, frilly bedskirt, and a heart shaped box of chocolates with of course her fluffy bright yellow slippers right below her feet. And when taking a spa break, (because of course who doesn’t take spa breaks) she's found laying with a face mask on, with fuzzy colored cotton balls and a snack by her side. She taught us that in any moment, staying fancy is key.
We can see how this has translated into adulthood as we take from our childhood and incorporate it into everyday life more and more. Our closets are filled with everything we may have hoarded over our lives because of course we cannot get rid of anything as there will surely be a purpose along the road. That old dance costume you wore when you were five can make for a great bow that can settle in your hair as a 20 year old. She embraces the imperfections and reimagines whatever chaotic mess she's dealing with as an opportunity for fun.
If you’re finding your wardrobe consists of beaded dresses, ruffle skirts, embroidered and lacey tops, capri pants, chunky jewelry, and textured accessories you’ve fallen under the Fancy Nancy It girl epidemic. A community of creatives dancing through the ups and downs of life and keeping it fancy everyday. Go bake a cake in your most fancy dress, perhaps in a scarf and sunglasses…oh la la! Don’t forget the sprinkles!
Photo Credits:
Robin Preiss Glasser