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!
I love this idea! My husband and I never accessorize enough when we go!
I’ve never been a fan of Vera Bradley until the recent “Where’s Mickey” blue/green pattern. I’ll be rocking it at WDW in May along with a new set of Minnie headband ears!
I like to wear ears. We have two young children who prefer to wear ears, so it’s something fun for the whole family!
Outside of the parks I love to be subtle, with earrings or a very cool necklace that you really have to look to see the Mickey. I also have a jacket that has quilted stitching with mickeys at all the points.
In the park it’s a pink Mini Mouse baseball hat, or ears.
I am also with you on the flowy dresses in the parks. Way more comfortable than shorts.
I’m totally with you. Subtle Disney touches that don’t scream disney to everyone.
At Disney I try to dress as comfortably as possible. I still like to be stylish and will wear cute sundresses and rompers but I will wear more sensible shoes. I also like to carry a fun bright back pack (I recently found a cute blush one with lace detailing at urban outfitters … On sale!!) and load it up with traveling essentials. I also will bring a refillable filtered water bottle to the park. Sometimes I will wear fun hats to keep the sun out of my face at the park. Something else I love and will always wear is my Disney Alex and ani bracelet! Its just a fun little way to keep Disney with me all the time
I have a jean jacket that’s about 20 years old. It has the Seven Dwarfs appliqued on the back of it. After one of my co-workers told me I was too old to wear ‘that kind of stuff’, I only wore it on my WDW vacations. Last month I added 3 princesses, 3 villains, 3 fairies and a fairy godmother to it! I now wear it all the time and take ALL the compliments graciously.
I think that’s awesome! I made hoodies for my sister and myself. I appliqued Disney on the Front and our names on the back. Each year we go I add the year down the arm. I just don’t wear them outside the park because I don’t want it to wear out. When I get to the park I add my pins to the front. I just get one special pin each trip. If you want to wear your jacket outside the park go ahead!
Can’t wait to check out your shoe link!
We normally wear our Disney shirts (even some vintage ones from past trips) and hats, but these are some great ideas for accessorizing beyond that!
I like modcloth for accessories too!
I didn’t even think about what I was going to wear/accessorize with! Guess it’s a good thing I saw this a few months before my trip, now I can start planning and searching! =) And also searching for the posts about dresses because I’m super jealous of yours..
I gotta go with my Minnie Ears! 🙂
I love these ideas as I too am a minimalist. When I was a teenager I had a charm bracelet that I would wear with all my Disney charms. It was a great souvenir to pick up each trip.
I love your outfits and it’s given me great ideas for our trip next year. It’ll be our girls first time and we want tons if pictures…cute ones!
I love wearing dresses to the parks! I’ll usually pair a cute dress with some toms or cute sandals and a crossbody bag (or a backpack if I’m bringing my camera). I love looking nice for the parks. 🙂
By the way, I don’t know if you remember me, but I’m the girl who works at pirates who fangirled when you and your friend came through the line!
I love browsing Hot Topic for Disney goodies! I tend to bust out comfy and loose character tees and tanks during warmer-month trips. Also, I have a tiny Disney tattoo on the back of my shoulder blade, so really, I’m kind of Disney accessorizing all the time 🙂
I usually do my nails, ears/hat, sweatshirt/t-shirt
Love seeing all of your outfits!! You are definitely helping me plan for a “stylish” Disneymoon! I’m hoping ours will be a lot like yours! 🙂
This kids go in costume of a Disney shirt. I tend to dress nice and casual but the ears are a MUST!
I like wearing Mickey Mouse shaped earrings. I have several pairs now in different colors ~ some are from the parks, and some are from stores outside of the parks