Fancy Nancy is the protagonist of the “Fancy Nancy” series, a children’s book collection, written by Jane O’Connor and illustrated by Robin Preiss Glasser. In total, there are over 40 “Fancy Nancy” books. Although to some it seems like she is just a character from a children’s series, Fancy Nancy is a fashion icon and her wardrobe deserves to be revisited!
The Book Series
The very first book in the “Fancy Nancy” collection was published and released in 2005. Soon after, O’Connor wrote more books to complete the series. These ranged from picture books to chapter books and even activity books. The author has also written the “Nancy Clancy” series, chronicling Nancy when she is a bit older.
The books highlight the life of Nancy, a little girl who adores all things over-the-top and elegant. Her extravagant preferences and fashion choices are always juxtaposed against her parents and sister, who compared to Nancy, are rather plain.
The books have been featured in the New York Times Best Sellers list. O’Connor decided to stop writing more Fancy Nancy books in 2018. However, that same year, a Disney Junior series with the same name began airing, with its last season released in 2021.
“Nobody in my family is fancy at all. They never even ask for sprinkles.”
Fancy Nancy (Jane O’Connor)
Her Trademarks
Throughout the pages of the books, Glasser’s illustrations of Nancy and her belongings are all vibrant and full of color. While on the other hand, the colors used with the rest of the Clancy family are rather drab and lack extravagance.
Given that these books are meant for children, one trademark is Nancy’s signature usage of mature vocabulary. She also has a love for the French language which she explains to the audience.
Whenever my friend Bree and I see [a butterfly], we say “Bonjour!” That’s French for “hello!”
Fancy Nancy (Jane O’Connor)
Her impeccable fashion taste and love for couture are evident from the book covers and any initial glance of the pages. She is clearly a diva who is eager to stand out from the crowd. Despite the illustrator’s choice to make the majority of the backgrounds plain white, her vibrant illustrations pop-out, as they are extremely eye-catching.
With such exciting book titles and covers, there is no wonder why the books and Nancy’s persona have been such a hit among readers.
Ooh La La! What Great Fashion Inspiration!
Each motif in the books emulates Nancy’s love for fashion and all things extra. They don’t call her “Fancy Nancy” for nothing! From her desire to have bows and sometimes, even curlicues and butterflies in her hair, it is clear that she is not one for minimalism.
Even as the current fashion trends have shifted to prefer sleekness and minimalism, Fancy Nancy’s fashion is a wonderful example of maximalism at its finest. She is not one for practicality, either. Are lace-up ballet slippers the most practical or comfortable shoes? Most definitely not! But, they are overstated and chic.
In all of her illustrations, she is completely decked out in accessories. What makes the images so unique is how intricate details and motifs are seen on each illustration. Though fashion has shifted, “Fancy Nancy” is a marvelous reminder of past times, when the fashion world praised exaggeration and excessiveness.
“My closet is bulging. That is a fancy way to say that the door will not close. ‘You have too many tutus,’ my mom tells me.”
Fancy Nancy (Jane O’Connor)
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