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!
DH wore his Darth Vadar/”#1 Dad” shirt to DHS last September – when Buzz Lightyear saw the shirt, he got all pretend-weepy and had to be consoled by Woody! 🙂
I haven’t gathered much in the way of Disney accessories, but really want to start somewhere!
Anything Disney looks great! I wear a Mickey watch everyday. Matching colors for the family looks better in group photos.
I will usually take a Disney sweatshirt to wear in the evenings when it’s cool. For our next trip, my boyfriend and I are planning on getting Mickey and Minnie mouse ears 🙂
I love your Disney style! I’m the same way– a small pop of Disney (Cinderella pearl cage necklace, for example) with a fashionable, lightweight outfit is the way to go. I’ve never understood looking like a slob in the parks. We take so many pictures and I want to look good!
Although for our upcoming trip, I do have a few cute Disney tops for daytime. I always wear sundresses at night, however.
I love wearing a pair on Mickey ears with my outfits.
I try to go for comfort. I wear Sundresses, or comfortable tank tops and shorts that won’t run on my legs too much. I wear my Minnie ears quite often too. I bought a black and white damask Mickey purse a few years ago with a hot pink strap that I take with me sometimes.
Im with you, I like accessorizing with comfortable clothing.
I always wear summer dresses to the parks….nothing more comfy, cute and cool! I just add some disney touches….mickey studs, a mickey ring that I have, and my Dooney and Bourke wristlet or cross-body bag.
Since our first trip to Walt Disney world this year is for our honeymoon, we plan on accessorizing with Bride and Groom Minnie and Mickey ears. Can’t wait!
Minnie ears headband and buttons (but no more than 2!).
I tend to customize my own mouse ears. For example, I have a sequined Minnie headband and I took off the red bow and replaced it with a silver fabric flower. The silver coordinates with more outfits than the original metallic red bow. 🙂
I have so many Disney park shirts I could wear a different one every day for 2 weeks at least. I also wear jeans and some sort of mickey ears and have a mickey cross body bag. Love our trips
My friend and I Disneybounded on our trip in October–she was a dapper/rockabilly Buzz Lightyear, and I was the White Rabbit. I also love wearing my R2-D2 ears. My friend just finished making a pair of Haunted Mansion wallpaper leggings, so I’m hoping to get some fabric from her so I can make my own! I love printed leggings with dresses and tunic tops–I have a pair featuring non-Disney art of Alice and the Cheshire Cat that I wore to Epcot recently.
Loved this post. We are going in April, so I needed some ideas.
We keep it simple! Usually a t-shirt, or some kind of color scheme…. it gets very hot at Disney, and we don’t want to overdo it!
I have a few cute villain t-shirts that I normally dress up with accessories. People always ask what store I get them at, and are sad to hear not at Disney.
I make us t-shirts
I love this post 🙂 My favorite ‘at home’ Disney accessories are small Mickey-shaped earring studs. It takes friends a while to notice them.
I got a Belle scarf when we were at Disneyland in September. It’s gorgous and I love that I can wear my favorite princess and not look like I’m 12 (that can be a challenge when you’re 5’2″ and just look young…)