Brave Princesses

Armour and gowns are both princess clothing, and the gap between them is where this one lives.

Dressing a princess to actually do something changes every decision. Sleeves that would catch, skirts that would trip, jewellery that would be a liability. What replaces them is leather, structure, shorter or split hems, and hair that has been dealt with. The character stays a princess; she just stops being decorative.

The good outfits here keep one clearly royal element so the contrast has something to work against. Strip all of it away and you have a warrior, which is a different and less interesting picture.