Should Minnie ditch her famous frock?
Some people think Minnie Mouse needs a change of outfit.
In March, Minnie Mouse switched the spotty dress she’s been wearing since 1928 for a stylish trouser suit. The temporary outfit change was to celebrate 30 years of Disneyland Paris, and Women’s History Month. The suit was created by Stella McCartney, who describes herself as “a female designer who celebrates women’s rights”. It received a mixed reaction from Disney fans and the wider public. Some agreed that Minnie needed a more modern look and others wanted her to stick with her traditional polka dotted frock. It’s not only Minnie who’s had a makeover. Many books, films and TV shows have been updated to be more in tune with the times. Minnie is back in her classic, spotty dress for now, but is it time for her to change into trousers permanently?
Yes – Minnie should move with the times
Change is good and should be embraced. If characters from books, TV programmes and films are not refreshed for new generations, they get stale and boring. What’s more, characters need to move with the times in order to remain relevant and reflect society as it is today. It’s especially important as children learn from what they read and watch, and for some, Minnie Mouse is a role model. Dresses and skirts look nice but they aren’t always practical – no one should be held back by having to wear an outfit that defines them as one thing or that stops them from feeling comfortable or being active. Minnie’s modern trouser suit reinforces the fact that girls and women can be, and can wear, whatever they want.
No – it doesn’t matter what Minnie wears
So many generations of children (and adults) have loved Minnie in her red, polka dot dress – she has worn it since she was created almost 100 years ago. The frock is famous in its own right and it’s a big part of Minnie’s identity; it’s one of the reasons why she is so recognisable. The dress is also a piece of history – it’s a symbol of a different time when people wore more traditional attire. Besides, there is nothing wrong with wearing a dress – people should wear what they want to, and that includes Minnie. In any case, Minnie is just a cartoon character so it doesn’t really matter what she wears because she’s not real. After all, Donald Duck wears nothing at all on his bottom half and nobody says anything about that.