Accessorizing for Disney
I recently got back from a trip to Walt Disney World, and had the idea for this post after I posted a couple of Instagram “selfies” (the pictures are in this post) and received a few comments and messages as a result. Since we already have a post that answers common questions regarding the dresses and other outfits I wear to Walt Disney World, etc., I’m just covering accessorizing for Disney in this post.
Disney’s big promotion this year is “Disney Side” and one of the ways people are supposed to show their Disney Side is through the outfits they wear to the Disney Parks. A lot of people like to go all out, dressed head to toe with Disney hats, shirts, pants, painted fingernails, hair bows, bags, and even painted shoes! Some people also like to put together outfits that are all individually non-Disney articles of clothing, but come together as a fashionable ensembles that evoke a certain character. The Disneybound blog and trend are a prime example of this.
My preference is to do something in between. I like putting together regular outfits that are park friendly, but fashionable. Comfortable footwear is obviously a must, my current go-to choice is the OluKai Ohana sandal. They perfectly combine comfort and cuteness. In the past, I’ve done Mickey Crocs and tennis shoes, but I think both look too clunky with the light summer dresses I normally wear.
Speaking of dresses, the dresses I wear come from a variety of places, from Target to Nordstrom to J.Crew, but all have one thing in common: lightweight comfort. However, I’ve already covered dresses, and this post is about accessorizing.
What I really like to do is pair my normal style of clothing with a flair of Disney. An example of this would be a pair of Minnie Mouse ears with a dress. I think this creates a good contrast, especially if you are dressed nicely. If you look back at old family photos or vintage photos, you see a lot of guests dressed nicely, but wearing mouse ears. This look is incongruous, but not in a bad way, and it makes the outfit fun. This style of dressed up guests with playful Disney hats is still common in Tokyo Disneyland, where guests actually take the idea to the extreme. Take a look below.
Maybe Tom is a bad example! This hat was very popular in Tokyo Disneyland this Christmas, with many guests pairing it with suits, dresses, or school uniforms. Simple and cute Minnie or Mickey Mouse ears work a lot better for this look.
Other accessories that I think work really well to give an outfit a dash of Disney are handbags, watches, necklaces, and bracelets. I generally don’t wear jewelry but do prefer jewelry that’s on the subtle side instead of the colorful stuff. This makes it more wearable in everyday settings when you might not want to broadcast that you’re a Disney fan.
I typically carry an It’s A Small World LeSportsac bag at the parks, and what I really like about this bag is that the pattern looks Disney-related to anyone familiar with Disney, but for normal people, it just looks like a stylized pattern. The bags I’ve carried have all been durable and I don’t mind if they get wet. If you’re not a fan of the LeSportsac bags, recent bags from Dooney & Bourke and Vera Bradley are popular and have interesting designs of their own.
These are just a few of the ways that I accessorize to give me outfit a fun Disney feel when we’re in the parks. I’d love to hear other ideas you have in the comments!
If you are planning a Walt Disney World trip, check out our planning resources! If you’re interested in learning more about other hotels, our Walt Disney World Hotels Reviews page is a good place to start. For where to eat, try out our Walt Disney World Restaurant Reviews page. If you want to save money on tickets or determine which type you should get, read our Tips for Saving Money on Walt Disney World Tickets post. Our What to Pack for Disney Trips post takes a unique look at unconventional things you should take on your trip. Once you arrive at the parks, our Walt Disney World “Ride Guides”are great for determining what to do and when to do it.
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Your Thoughts
How do you like to accessorize for Disney? Have any questions about how I’ve accessorized here? Let me know if you have any questions!
You look amazing in this, hope you enjoyed so much in there. You bought so many disney items which really amazing.
If you wanna buy any cloth for any other travle you can always check http://www.clubmonaco.com this site, you will find all letest clothing of you all kind of need.
Sarah, where do you get your Minnie ears?? And where did you get your red skirt that you wore with the black shirt and Minnie ears? Love that outfit!!
Sarah, where did you get your red polka dot dress? I love it!!!
Yeah! Where did you get it? It’s adorable!
Her Universe has lots of cute dresses
I love your Mickey mouse baseball cap! I’ve been looking online for some cute alternatives and was wondering if you might have some suggestions. I’m looking for a good cap to wear when I go in August. Thank you!!
I am packing right now for my first visit to Disneyland in years! I can’t wait to take some cute photos in the park with my boyfriend. Thank you for all the advice and the picture of Tom’s hat! lol
Sarah your tips are amazing! We are planning our first Disney trip in April and it never crossed my mind to wear more than shorts and a t-shirt. I am SO happy to read your blog. You’re right, these pics will be everywhere! I am excited to accessorize my nails with the new Disney Collection by Jamberry http://tinyurl.com/theDisneyCollectionByJamberry and a couple of cute Minnie ears I’ve found on Zuilly. I can’t wait to start picking out fun dresses too!
I usually wear a outfit with a Disney characters colors. For example: Cinderella = light blue dress with my hair in a ponytail or bun with a a blue barrette. Along with comfortable white lace-like Toms.
Hey Sarah,
I love ya’lls blog. I’m planning a trip with my fiance and this blog has been a great resource. I’d love to hear more about disney from a gal’s perspective, you should host more often!! You guys always look adorable!
Love the dress you are wearing in that photo with Minnie!! I also take the Minnie ears accessorizing approach. I usually opt for the glittery ones. I never wear glitter in my everyday life, so it seems fitting to do something different at Disney 🙂 And my iphone case is a photo of the magic kingdom that I took, but that’s definitely a very subtle park accessory.
In our past WDW trips, I’ve always just been a “jeans and t-shirt” kind of girl, but we will be there in October for our wedding and honeymoon (SO excited!!!)and I’m looking forward to “stepping up my game” when it comes to wardrobe and accessories! I LOVE Sarah’s style and have taken lots of notes on where (and what) to buy, and how to style everything. I wish I could take her shopping WITH me! 🙂
Keep up the good work…I absolutely LOVE this blog and have found lots of helpful articles for our upcoming October trip – ones that apply to those of us that have visited The World lots of times, and ones that will be helpful to our “newbie” guests as well! Thank you, thank you! 🙂
I usually go for casual comfort w/ a Mickey tank or shirt. (I didn’t plan to mainly just have Mickey shirts for Disney trips, it just happened that way!) We’re planning a Jan 2015 to WDW & since this is our daughter’s first WDW trip, I got myself some “ears,” too 🙂
I usually wear a shirt with Tinkerbell or Mickey on it. My husband has his Goofy shirt! 😉
We don’t usually go all out, but Disney charms on my charm bracelet are a favorite way for me to accessorize my Disney love.
When I am going to Disney I accessorize with my collection of Disney t-shirts I only wear at the parks :0)
Going to Disney I accessorize with a Disney themed bracelet or simple necklace and definitely Minnie ears 🙂
I wish it was as easy for guys as it is for ladies. I guess one problem is both Southern California and Central Florida are warm most of the year so it isn’t really a priority for Disney to make things such as scarves and caps for men. I would love those cap/scarf/mitten things they sell in Tokyo in American sizes.
I almost bought the bag when I visited Disneyland a little over a year ago and I have regretted it ever since. I can’t seem to find it anywhere on amazon or similar sites!! I booked my Disney trip for early October today, so maybe I will be able to find one by then!
I wear jewelry that I’ve gotten from past visits to the parks.