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.
For overviews of all of these topics and so much more, the best place to start is our comprehensive Walt Disney World Trip Planning Guide to make the most of your experience!
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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!
I LOVE the Small World LeSportsac! So adorable!
I love your Disney parks look (OK, your Disney Style), although my own tends to the practical–collared shirt, shorts, walking shoes. A Disney-themed daypack or bag does help keep me in the spirit!
I have a variety of tiaras or sparkly headbands that I like to wear. I too do a lot of light dresses.
Love your blog! I usually accessorize with my Disney t-shirts and usually some crystal Mickey head earrings. If I’m feeling saucey pre-trip, I’ll paint my nails in Mickey colors (red, black, yellow, and white glitter over).
My issue is also shoes. I will go from flip flops to tennis shoes in the park. I like to change half way through the day. Wearing a dress is hard with comfortable shoes. I will have to check out the flip flops you suggested.
I am a big Disney fan but I like to go a little subtle at Disney. I usually wear a simple mickey baseball cap or a mickey mouse tee I picked up at the disney store. But my favorite accessory by far is my magic band 🙂
How absolutely adorable are those dresses? I go down in the summer and packing/wearing dresses is so easy! I am so pinning Disney outfits for my next trip!
I have several Alix & Ani bracelets, have made a couple of necklaces, and a pair of earrings to wear for our next trip to Disneyland….all tied up with my Minnie headband with red-sequined bow.
Nice hat Tom. Green with envy.
I enjoy living a Disney lifestyle everyday, not just vacation days. I, also, tend to purchase the more subtle Disney prints and jewelry that incorporate hidden Mickeys. In these ways, I am able to combine daily reminders of my Happiest Place on Earth into my regular warerobe and routine.
I usually wear some Disney jewelry but the one accessory we have learned to always have with us is a lightweight raincoat, no plastic ponchos. When it rains we can keep on going when everyone else is huddled in the shops waiting out the rain.
I love subtle accessorizing!
I’m not much of a t-shirt girl but I was gifted with a Maleficent shirt for my birthday last October and I wore it to MK. It was a huge hit with the cast members.
I love wearing my Silver Disney earrings and necklaces to the parks and also at home. They’re very subtle with tiny Mickey heads, but I know they’re Disney and I love that about them 🙂
lol, I was so confused at first assuming that this post was written by Tom… 🙂 Anyway, I’d like to know how you keep your hair from frizzing out in that Florida weather… Do you use product, or are you just lucky??? I –
lol, I was so confused at first assuming that this post was written by Tom… 🙂 Anyway, I’d like to know how you keep your hair from frizzing out in that Florida weather… Do you use product, or are you just lucky??? I –
lol, I was so confused at first assuming that this post was written by Tom… 🙂 Anyway, I’d like to know how you keep your hair from frizzing out in that Florida weather… Do you use product, or are you just lucky??? I –
Like you, I tend to pair light dresses with ears and other Disnet accessories while in the park. My most recent pair was my bride ears for my honeymoon!
I have my Disney jewelry that I only wear in Disney — watch, earrings, and necklace. Love the bags!
Can’t go wrong with minnie ears! I love switching up the bows and having bright bows on my black sparkly ears. I also love switching up the bows because my mom and I make them together and it makes it more personal!