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!
My husband and I are going in June for our 10 year anniversary, and I plan on wearing flowy skirts and breathable t-shirts, comfy shoes, and, of course, my Minnie ears! 🙂
We’re planning a family trip with my sister’s family trip this fall to WDW and your fun and neat ideas will just right for us girls to match and have fun 🙂
Great post! When visiting Disney I usually wear shorts because I have always thought dresses would be uncomfortable or inappropriate on certain rides. However, this post makes me want to wear my light summer dresses anyway! Pairing them with Minnie Mouse ears are just to cute not to try at least once!
I love this post! I am always looking for ways to enhance my Disney trip and your posts on clothing, accessories are great ways to make sure I look like I’m having as much fun as I actually am! I just love you blog.
My sister and I wear toms that we decorated with disney rhinestones
You have great park style Sarah, thanks for sharing your tips.
I like to do dresses too or capris and for does either merrell sandals or clarks mary janes. (both are super comfy and cute enough for a dress. I do love your style. Very fun! For a bag I always travel with a black carry all fro MEC…will hold a SLR and most supplies too. I am trying to amp up the Disney part of my style.
Once I’m in the “bubble” I go all out Minnie!
I haven’t been to Disney in YEARS! But I am attending again this year for the Christmas season! I’m going early December and I plan to accessorize with Minnie ears and hopefully a Disney hoodie to keep the chill away!
I guess my girlfriend will love thos bags, so here we go… Normaly my thing is trying to do some Disney Bound with some characters, or at least, match some colors with MR. Mouse himself… Great fan of Disney here, so.. yeah.. i guess hahahaha
Our next Disney trip we are making our own T-shirts,and hair ties.
I’ve not gone in a number of years but now I have ideas for my trip next year. I sometimes wear character tees but now I’m leaning to something nicer. I do have some subtle Mickey necklaces to wear. And a Disney weddings watch that I’ve never actually worn. Time to get the band resized for my trip!
Keeping my fingers crossed.
I’m more about subtle while in the parks–maybe a piece of jewelry or a t-shirt.
Great blog. I like to accessorize with shoes, purses (I have a Dooney & Bourke (anniversary gift) and just ordered LeSportSac), t-shirts, and naturally ears.
I love Disneybouding but rarely actually do it when I visit the parks. My favorite accessories are the ears! I don’t have a big collection, but I always take them with me on a trip and get a lot of wear of the same ones. It’s fun and flattering, and it leaves me a lot of freedom to just wear whatever is comfortable!
I wear Mickey ear earrings, perfect match to every outfit!
I’m a fan of the subtle jewelery. Or the classic mickey arms watch. Had one since I was a kid.
I like to Disneybound (there are websites and groups on Facebook devoted to it). Or when I’m at work, I wear my disney charm bracelet any day that I can 🙂
I guess I need to pack some cute accessories for our first trip. Thanks for the tips.