It’s Día de los Muertos today!

And like always, I thought I’d celebrate this beautiful occasion in my own little way – through Disney Style. More specifically, through styling looks around one of my favorite Pixar films of all time – Coco.

I have to admit, when I first saw the trailer for this movie, I didn’t think anything of it. But when I saw it in the theater and cried my way through at least a third of it, I knew I would never underestimate Pixar again lol. Coco is one of the most visually stunning movies I’ve ever seen, and don’t even get me started on what it did to my proud corazón. So well written, so endearing, so heartwarming. I just, ahhh – I am completely in love with it.

Which is why I got so excited when I started putting ideas together for this lookbook.

“Día de Muertos has begun,
it’s the one night of the year our ancestors can come visit us.”

Now, these are not meant to be accurate by any means. Since this is a Disneybound lookbook and not a cosplay one, these outfits were styled with items I already had in my closet. I know you’re probably wondering how I could possibly own so many ruffled skirts. (No I do not dress like this in everyday life lol) I’m actually a Flamenco dancer – a really happy one who finally got to use her costumes for something Disney related.

So I took advantage of all the colors and textures my Flamenco closet had to offer, and created 6 of my favorite Disneybounds to date.

“Never underestimate the power of music.”

 

Miguel

I knew when I was planning this that I wanted to do more femme versions of these characters. But I couldn’t get rid of Miguel’s jeans. So to make it a little different I paired them with this red ruffled blouse I that I would usually wear with a Flamenco skirt. And I gotta say, I kinda like it better with pants!

Put a white cami underneath and wore black boots to complete Miguel’s signature look. And it wouldn’t be our young hero without a guitar, so I borrowed my brother’s and did my very best to look like I knew what I was doing lol.

“None of them understand me. I’m supposed to play music!”

Hector

For Hector, I went with a brown skirt instead of pants. Since his purple shirt is torn at the shoulder, I picked out this light purple off shoulder blouse. Accessorized with brown leather suspenders and a red neckscarf.

And who could forget his brown straw hat? Wore this wide brim one I take on pretty much every vacation. Rounded off the look with brown ankle boots.

“Our memories, they have to be passed down by those who knew us in life
– in the stories they tell about us”

 

Ernesto de la Cruz

For the bound that made me un poco loco with worry, this actually turned out to be my favorite in its simplicity. I thought I wouldn’t be able to find anything, but managed to put together an outfit I really, really like.

Wore white pants with a white ruffled billowy blouse. Continued the clean, all-white look with these pumps, as well as another wide brim hat. It wouldn’t be Ernesto de la Cruz without some sort of ostentatiousness, so I added a bit of glimmer through these gorgeous earrings I got in Spain ages ago.

“I have to sing, I have to play. The music, it’s not just in me, it is me. When life gets me down, I play my guitar. The rest of the world may follow the rules, but I must follow my heart.”

 

Mama Imelda

Starting off the women in this lookbook with none other than Mama Imelda herself. I remembered that I had this purple ruffled skirt that I wanted to use for this, so I paired that with an off-white off shoulder blouse. Wrapped a light brown scarf around my skirt for her apron.

I’d never worn this skirt with anything but Flamenco shoes, so it was interesting to wear them with blank ankle boots for this look. Also wore a purple flower in my hair, and used a simple black suede cord as a choker.

“I remember that feeling, when my husband would play, and I would sing and nothing else mattered. But when we had Coco, suddenly…
there was something in my life that mattered more than music.”

 

Frida

This Disneybound is actually what started this whole lookbook. I was so in love with Frida’s costume, and I knew I had all the colors to bound it. So out came my orange ruffled skirt (how many times can I say ruffle in this blog lol). I put a short bright pink skirt on top of it, and picked out a bright yellow off shoulder top to go with it.

For accessories, I wrapped an orange manton around my waist, placed a bright pink flower in my hair, and put on yellow pineapple earrings. Used the same black ankle boots as before, and carried this gorgeous multi colored clutch that brought out the bound’s colors perfectly. Nothing but the best for Frida Kahlo.

“You have the soul of an artist“

 

Mama Coco

And last but certainly not least, the woman of the hour – Mama Coco herself. I brought out this beautiful embroidered top I’ve had since I was in high school, and wore it with a white 3 tiered skirt.

Added a light purple scarf, a light brown belt, and brown ankle boots to complete her ensemble. And of course I had to do her iconic braids.

“Know that I’m with you the only way that I can be.
Until you’re in my arms again, remember me”

I absolutely loved getting to bound such wonderful characters from such a magical film.

Día de los Muertos is a beautiful tradition, and it was such an amazing gift to be able to learn more about it through Coco. Although I am not Mexican, as Filipinos we have quite a bit in common. Tsinelas-wielding women, gathering together for home-cooked food, celebrating everything and nothing with music, and above all – “knowing that nothing is more important than family”. 

I am so glad that movies like this now exist to remind us that no matter how different we are, in our hearts we are made of the same capacity to love. I hope we all get to spend time with our loved ones today, and get to remember and celebrate those who have passed.

“To a melody played on the strings of our souls, and a rhythm that rattled us down to the bone. Our love for each other will live on forever, in every beat of my proud corazón”

 

*Photography: Khrister Llave

*For more Disney Style content, make sure to check out my Instagram and give it a follow!

*My Truly Magical Lookbook Blogs:

– Disney Villains
– Beauty and the Beast
– Hogwarts
– Lion King
– Toy Story
– Tarzan