Since Halloween is quickly approaching, I knew that now would be the perfect time to cover fashion inspired by my favorite seasonal movie, Walt Disney and Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas. I can remember my 4 year old self watching this movie over and over, and to this day, it never gets old for me. While writing this article, I was so inspired that I decided to separate it into two parts.
Like the previous articles in this series, the purpose of this article is to use childhood films as inspiration for outfits that you can actually pull off as a college student. All it takes is a little creativity!
For more Disney-inspired looks, check out our past articles on Walt Disney’s Snow White, Walt Disney’s Sleeping Beauty, Walt Disney’s The Little Mermaid, Walt Disney’s Cinderella, Walt Disney’s Princess Jasmine, Walt Disney’s Princess Tiana, Walt Disney’s Pocahontas, Belle from Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, Jane Porter from Disney’s Tarzan, Megara from Disney’s Hercules, Emeralda from Disney’s The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Walt Disney’s Mulan, Walt Disney’s The Lion King, Disney Fairies Part 1- Silvermist and Fawn, and Disney Fairies Part 2- Rosetta and Iridessa, and Disney Fairies Part 3- Vidia and Tinkerbell.
Table of Contents
About The Nightmare Before Christmas
The story takes place in Halloween Town, a frightening place where life revolves around celebrating, you guessed it, Halloween. The most popular guy in town is Jack Skellington, the Pumpkin King. Everyone looks up to Jack because he is amazing at terrifying the world for Halloween. Despite his fame and glory, Jack feels like there’s something missing in his life.
One day, while walking through the woods, Jack discovers a portal to Christmas Town, filled with joy and happiness, full of bright colors and beautiful decorations. This, he discovers, is what he had been missing. Jack rushes back to Halloween Town to explain Christmas to the townspeople. He decides that instead of organizing Halloween, Halloween Town will take over Christmas.
Preparations begin, and the most important job, creating a Santa suit, is given to Sally, a doll-like creation of the town’s mad scientist. Sally is secretly in love with Jack, and they have a lot in common – both characters dream of living a more fulfilling life. Although Sally loves the idea of Christmas, she warns Jack that she has a terrible feeling that something will go wrong. But Jack, consumed with excitement about Christmas, ignores her warning.
As Sally predicted, Jack’s plans soon start to go wrong. Although Jack thought it would be nice to capture Santa Claus so he could relax and not worry about his Christmas duties, Santa ends up being held by the Oogie Boogie, the most terrible man in all of Halloween Town. The Oogie Boogie plans on killing Santa, so Sally rushes in and tries to help.
As if that wasn’t bad enough, the people of Christmas Town are horrified by the creepy presents Jack delivers to their children, and they put out a warning of a Santa Claus impersonator. Jack’s sleigh is shot down from the sky.
Rather than being upset at his failures, Jack looks on the bright side and is proud of himself for discovering something new and trying his best. Realizing people need to stay true to who they are, he rips off his Santa suit and declares himself the Pumpkin King once again. He rushes back to Halloween Town and rescues Santa and Sally from the horrible Oogie Boogie.
In the end, Santa Claus saves Christmas, despite the damage Jack had done. Grateful to Jack for saving his life, Santa gives the gift of snow to Halloween Town. Finally, Jack sees Sally walk out of town, so he follows her to his favorite hill in the pumpkin patch. There, they realize that they are meant to be together.
Jack’s Lament
After celebrating Halloween, rather than feeling accomplished with his great work, Jack Skellington feels like something is missing in his life and expresses himself through the song “Jack’s Lament.” For an outfit inspired by Jack, I chose a striped dress to match his suit, a form-fitting blazer, and purple shoes for a pop of color. I also added a spiky necklace, reminiscent of Jack’s collar.
Tights- Forever 21, Dress- Topshop, Necklace- ASOS, Shoes- Amazon, Blazer- Jane Norman
What’s This?
When Jack discovers the joyous land of Christmas Town, he sings the song “What’s This” because everything he sees is so new to him. To make an outfit inspired by the scene, I used a long sparkly sweater, reminiscent of the snow, and red leggings. I also added some edgy earrings and boots, because even though Jack is in Christmas Town, he is still a tough guy.
Leggings- American Apparel, Sweater- Oasis, Bag- Spiegel, Earrings- Betsey Johnson, Boots- Forever 21
Mr. Oogie Boogie Man
To me, one of the most memorable scenes in the movie is the one where the evil Oogie Boogie captures Santa Claus. It is wretched and creepy, but the colors are so vivid. With this scene as inspiration, I made an outfit with a very bright color palette.
Top- Tilly’s, Shoes- Forever 21, Jeans- Uniqlo, Vest- Alloy, Bracelets- Tilly’s
Sally’s Song
Sally sings her song to herself to express her love for Jack and the anxiety she feels about his plan to take over Christmas. I drew inspiration from her outfit by including lots of different patterns, but ensuring they look put-together. I also chose a bag and necklace inspired by leaves, since Sally is stuffed with them, and added adorable cat earrings since she pets a stray cat in the song.
Bag- , Tights- Anthropologie, Dress- Modcloth, Coat- Modcloth, Earrings- Avalaya, Necklace- Amazon, Boots- Urban Original
What do you think?
Are you inspired by The Nightmare Before Christmas? Which looks are your favorite? Which Disney movies would you be interested in seeing posts about in the future? I want to know what you think, so be sure to leave your thoughts in a comment!
I fell in love with this blog after finding the dedications to the Disney princess Inspired looks. I love how you combine everything from music to movies to form great fashion, and I always get great ideas for my own wardrobe after reading. Keep up the good work. As winter draws closer, I would really love to see more ideas that are for cold weather without making me look like the little boy from “A Christmas Story”.
Love from the mountains!
I think a few people have already said this, but this is one of the best movies I have ever seen! I grew up watching this and the Grinch every year for Christmas (ok, my sisters and I are kinda twisted, so what!) and I llove anything Tim Burton.
The first outfit is probably my favourite. Those shoes are just gorgeous! I also love Sally’s outfit, she has always been a big inspiration of mine. I must admit, in my regular clothing I tend to go a bit darker and more out-there than the outfits you have here, but I love how you have taken the inspiration for more main-stream style.
I love this entire series and can’t wait for Part 2 of this post! Thankyou so much for helping us to all live out our childhood fantasy’s of dressing like a princess every day and showing that we can all bring a little magic into our daily lives.
What a pleasant surprise! I love this movie and I love these outfits. I don’t think I could even pick a favorite from them.
I love the Jack and Sally looks! Oh, and I’m also for the Tim Burton idea. Brilliant.
I looooove this movie!
I can’t wait for part 2 … 😉
It’s not a disney movie but you should do one on Anastasia.
i love this movie and it’s a tradition for me and my girlies to watch it every halloween! the outfits are more darker and something i wouldn’t wear though, but great job on making them wearable! 🙂
xoxo, kylie
I second the idea of more Tim Burton posts!!!!!!!!!!!! =D And, although it’s not Tim Burton, Coraline would be a cool movie to do an inspiration post off of! It’s written and directed by Henry Selick, the same director of NBC =]
I LOVE YOU GUYS SO MUCH FOR THIS. The second outfit is my favorite because it totally looks like the lovechild of Halloween and Christmas.
YES!!!!!!!
I was not expecting this movie to be covered. So glad that you did! It’s one of my absolute favorites!!!
Love your Christmas Town outfit. Sparkly sweaters ftw!
That final look is so hobo-fall-chic. And I am obsessed with those kitty kat earrings! Good job!
I’m not in love with the movie but te outfits are great.
I only enjoy the Halloween part of the movie (I’m a freak-I know) so I loved all of these outfits! (even the x-mas one was still edgy!) Beautiful work-cannot wait to get those Betsey earrings!
I love this movie *-* in portuguese is “O estranho mundo de Jack”, iwatched several times as a child .
Ps* I’m brasilian and access the site every day
this was an excellent post that really surprised me. you captured all the scenes perfectly. the 1st and last were my favs. and might i suggest trying walle next?
omg, i am in love with you right now! IN LOVE!!! Will you marry me???<3 haha seriously, you do not even know the EXTENT to which I am obsessed with this movie!! my favorite of all time!!!!!! I practically watch it everyday, and if not im listening to the songs. I was soooo excited when i saw the title of the post, I literally began jumping up and down!!! Tim Burton is my favorite director (obviously) and I totally love his sorta gothic-esque style. I love all the outfits!!! But then, I'm quite biased haha. Can't wait for the next part!!
Oh, and I also have a basset hound named Zero =]