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!
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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!
To accessorize, I usually try to mix a Disney element with a seasonal one (i.e. christmas bell and ears, easter bunny ears, st Patricks Day shamrock stuff, etc) 🙂
I’ve made a few t-shirts for the parks and for the parties, ears, a couple of Alex Ani bracelets… and of course, a Mickey Mani! (BTW, I think you meant Vera Bradley bags, not Vera Wang ;o) I used to get them confused all the time too!!) You guys give such good info.. I really enjoy all your info & pictures. Thanks for all you do!
I like to paint a simple set of mickey ears on my big toes! And I have an adorable pair of mickey hoop earrings that are very subtle.
I usually wear Disney shirts, but not the ones you see all the time! I also put on my bedazzled Minnie Mouse ears.
I am a Disney tee and purse gal.
The green and purple ears are amazing! Thanks for another great post always manage to make me giggle! ^__^ We go to Disney World in May and have gone super crazy on all the Disney themed accessories, can’t wait! :))))
I love wearing my Mickie jewelry to the parks! Or my Tinkerbell, or my Pooh jewelry!! As much as I love to wear dresses, I like to wear skorts when I’m at the parks. They look good and I don’t have to worry about showing my goods !!
I adore wearing my Disney jewelry-although now with MagicBands I avoid bracelets because it’s just too much. I love some of the new shirts they are selling at the parks-they are so feminine and light! I tend to avoid dresses since I’m in a wheelchair-too short there is a possibility for a show and too long they get into my wheels if I start going too fast and I forgot to tuck it under (no capes!). Our next trip my Mom and I are wearing small tiaras instead of ears-it’s her first trip in over 10 years so she is going to be a Princess the whole trip 😀
I usually wear a flare of Disney garb with my simple outfits too! I love the post!
I always paint my toenails with minnie mouse spots but after reading this post i shall try to do more disney styling .
I tend to go a little overboard, with a Disney character shirt, my Mickey and Minnie painted TOMS, Mickey watch, and Disney Chamilia charm bracelet…coordinating with the parks of course(Wear earth tones on Animal Kingdom day, red and black for Magic Kingdom, and something Toy Story for Hollywood)! We usually go when the Flower and Garden festival is going on so I tone it down EPCOT day and wear a shirt with some kind of floral print!
Totally agree with the minimalist approach : ) I usually wear simple Disney jewelry or accessory so I can still look cute but no go overboard.
Love your blog!!
I love this post! I always pack my sparkly Minnie Mouse ears and tend to pick up a seasonal pair while I’m at WDW. I even planned out a special “ugly Christmas sweater” outfit for the 2013 Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party. Disney accessories just add to the fun!
So cute! Last time I was at Disney it was so cold that all my carefully planned outfits were covered up in coats! It did give me an excuse to buy a cute tobogan with Minnie ears, though!
I haven’t been yet, but I am going in May and plan on wearing my Mickey watch, some themed tees, and maybe disneybounding too!
Sunglasses and hats are huge for me and whatever disney bag I pick up once I get to my resort gift shop!
I’ve never been to Disney, but we’re going in September. I really appreciate all the tips you share! 😀
We like to rock the mickey ears or some sort of themed shirts together. And of course some disney jewelry and a disney dooney
I love to wear vintage disney shirts with skirts and/or shorts!