Trashy Diva hits the parks

If you love retro fashion and are not familiar with Trashy Diva, then you need to remedy that immediately.  Here, let me help:
http://www.trashydiva.com/post/what-i-wore-to-disney-world/

She took a trip to Walt Disney World and took photos to share her Disney fashion sense.  Her heels? ACK! I am amazed when people can walk all day in them, but that's not for me. The dresses? Oh yeah, I could rock those.

As far as theme park fashion, in her words:

"If you haven't been to Disney World, don't think you have to hold hands with Mickey while wearing a Disney T-shirt with flip flops & eat fast food burgers everyday. You can if you want - and many people do - but it is what you make it! ~ Candice"

I couldn't have said it better myself!

And while you're at it, also check out:
http://www.trashydiva.com/post/What-I-Wore-Fit-For-A-Disney-Princess/
Way more reasonable shoes. I think my bias is showing. :)

Dressing 4 Disney - For Love of Mickey

Inspired by my Mickey Mouse Crocs I got in Disneyland in 2012, and of course by the Big Cheese himself, an almost nautical theme emerges.

Blousey navy and white jersey tank I bought but am not keeping as it has a built-in shelf bra (stop it!!) which is too small and pulls the front of the shirt down exposing my bra. Sad day.

I have several pairs of classic cuffed denim capris, they go with everything. Added a couple punchy red accents. Don't forget the Mickey silhouette necklace and yellow "button" earrings!

Dressing 4 Disney - For Love of Mickey by tribaldancer featuring liz claiborne jewelry

Dressing 4 Disney - Hipster in the House of Mouse

Anytime there are owls, giant glasses, and fedoras, it makes me think of hipsters. I don't care, I love the look. Pop of orange/coral makes the darker browns and navy blues of this outfit a bit more exciting. How cute is the owl purse, I mean seriously? Super comfy Merrell sandals make walking easy (though I included my fantasy yellow All Star high tops as well, though my feet have been too wide to wear them most of my adult life).

Dressing 4 Disney - A Touch of Hipster by tribaldancer featuring a blue top

Dressing 4 Disney - Beat the Heat

I actually have many of the components in my closet right now: the cargo bermuda shorts (a bit lighter blue), the top, sunglasses and necklace, and a flower much like this one. The shoes, bag, and bracelet are my creative additions, as are the specific makeup and nail looks I added for a little extra somethin'.

Dressing 4 Disney - Beat the Heat by tribaldancer featuring crossbody handbags

Dressing 4 Disney - Classic. Comfort.

A casual look, with a few polished details.The striped tee has little button details on the shoulders, trouser-style bermudas, layered necklace and fun bangles. I love my Haiku bag, though I don't have this color myself, and I have been wearing my Skechers Flex walking shoes almost every day since I got them. Sooo comfy. The earrings I can't own but wish I could--these are traditional post earrings and I have 00 stretched. These would make great plugs!

Dressing 4 Disney - Classic. Comfort. by tribaldancer featuring an enamel bracelet

Dressing 4 Disney - Keepin' it Real

Alright, here we have a typical look for yours truly. Back in Seattle, I wear a lot of different looks, from vintage/retro looks to schlumpy jeans and tees. In Disney, a pair of shorts or cargos, a cotton tee or tank, and some walking shoes or sandals are the fashion of the day. I have a canvas/nylon cross-body bag that I wear every day, and I pretty much don't accessorize save for sunglasses and earrings/plugs of choice unless it is a "night out".  But without the simple necklace and bracelet, this outfit feels a little drab...

Dressing 4 Disney - Keepin' it Real by tribaldancer featuring a merrell footwear

I was noting to myself recently that jewelry/accessorizing is kind of my final fashion frontier, as it were. I got somewhat into hair in my 20's, but hit my stride when I hit 30 and could afford a rocking stylist. I got into fashion still later in life (early 30's), followed by shoes and makeup ( http://www.beautyalong.com !!). But other than in my other life as a tribal bellydancer, where wearing your dowry is simply a must, I don't wear jewelry as a matter of course. I will wear a necklace and bracelet with a dressy outfit...sometimes... but since I am out of practice with wearing such things, they tend to feel heavy, itch, ache, or otherwise annoy pretty quickly. Invariably I take it off before the end of the night and stuff it in my purse out of annoyance.

So I am IN JEWELRY TRAINING as we speak. Laugh if you must, but I am. I went out and bought a bunch of cheap jewelry at Forever 21 and the Macy's weekend sale (got some Lucky Brand jewelry at full price I couldn't resist, though...). I laid it all out on my bed alongside any other pieces I had...and it wasn't much, my friends. I just don't wear jewelry. I have been wearing a necklace and/or bracelet every day lately to try and get used to the sensation.  I know that even if I get used to wearing jewelry here in Seattle, when I hit Florida sauna-like weather, they may just stay in the room. But darnit, I am going to try. Because I recognize that a simple addition of a necklace, bracelet, and/or a coordinating bag can do WONDERS for otherwise simple and forgettable outfits. Since I can't bring my entire shoe collection with me, and most of them would be way too impractical for theme park enjoyment, jewelry will have to be my stand-in for bumping my fashion meter.

Dressing 4 Disney - Meet the Mouse

I am not afraid of full-on whimsy when it comes to Disney. I wear my ears loud and proud. Doesn't the Big Cheese himself deserve a little homage? I think so! I would be proud to shake his hand wearing this look, and I would be comfortable in the heat at the same time.

I bought this Old Navy dress in XL Petite and it fits me like a GLOVE. Bought it in three more colors while they were available. I wear Luvees or Jockey Skimmies under my dresses in summer to prevent rashy thighs and to add a little modesty protection when getting around town (or in the case of the parks, on and off rides).

My Mac Russian Red lipstick would look stellar with this look. And I think I just might get my nails done like this before I fly out on my upcoming trip. Ya know...to get in the spirit!

Dressing 4 Disney - Meet the Mouse by tribaldancer featuring a brown shoulder bag

Dressing 4 Disney - Around The World Showcase

I saw the dress at Dress Barn online and HOPED it would be adorable in person. IT WAS! It fits me like it was made for me--not too long, not too short. It's light and gauzy but without being limp or see-through. I took inspiration from my favorite park/part of a park, World Showcase, and accessorized accordingly. The heels are incredibly comfortable, I walked all over a mall shopping recently to test them out. I could easily wear them a half-day at the parks without pain!

Dressing 4 Disney - Around The World Showcase by tribaldancer featuring a floppy hat

Dressing 4 Disney - Spring is Sprung

Let's be honest, there are shoes I wish I could wear, and shoes I am better off wearing. This outfit has the more practical flat leather sandal I would wear during a long day in the parks, and the cute peep-toe wedge I would wear if I didn't have to walk for miles. The latter might be good for a "hang out at the resort" day, or shopping at Downtown Disney, or a short evening heading to Illuminations and a late night cocktail at World Showcase. Drapey colorful tunic over cotton blend cargos, simple accessorizing, peachy pink lip and cheek with natural eyes. I totally went to Etsy and bought this necklace for my upcoming trip. It made me think of Ellie in Up!

Dressing 4 Disney - Spring is Sprung by tribaldancer featuring engraved jewelry

Welcome to Dressing 4 Disney! Let's Get Disney Fashion Forward!

Hello and welcome to my Dressing 4 Disney Blog!

This has been inspired by my next trip to Disney World coming up this summer, and my desire to dress a little more fashionably than I have in the past. Comfort is king for me, with the incredible heat, and all the stand up sit down walk walk walk! Air conditioning inside, 90+ degrees outside, rain squalls, soaked on one ride, racing through the air on another...it's like dressing for 2-3 seasons while hiking a mountain...and now I want to look FASHIONABLE??

Yes. Yes I do.

And if you're here, maybe you do, too.

There are a lot of fantastic Disney fashion blogs out there, but most of them focus on
a) "fantasy" outfits themed to characters, attractions, parks (think the incredibly popular and oft-copied DisneyBound),
b) still more "fantasy" outfits, piling on layers of jewelry, bulky name brand handbags, and ridiculously high heels, none of which work for a long day in the parks, or
c) teenagers in teensy weensy cutoff jean shorts and shirts with cute cartoons and flirty phrases

I love DisneyBounding, and the creativity using an artful blend of colors, textures, and detailed accessorizing is really inspiring; but it isn't realistic or practical. It's a mish-mash of whatever items Polyvore has in its database, ignoring any actual availability, pricing, sizing...basically, nobody has these things in their closet.  The fantasy outfits depict ensembles worthy of a spread in a magazine, which is equally unrealistic unless you are a stick thin supermodel who actually only lives in the pages of a fashion magazine (hello in there!). And the teenagers? They're the real deal. Probably the closest to real park wear of the three...but good only until you're about 21. After that...you might want to up your game (and lower your hemline?)

You'd have to be madder than a hatter to wear some of the looks these sites and Polyvore accounts proffer (see what I did there??!. So what is a 30-something, 40-something, 50 and beyond avid parkgoer to do when they want find ideas for dressing "their age" while still feeling put together, fashion forward, and still comfortable and practical enough to see us through long hot days on the theme park pavement? Why, make my own freaking Polyvore sets and collections, start a Facebook page to bring together some like-minded folks, and BLOG ABOUT IT!

Would love to hear about your adventures in fashion in Disney. What do you do to make yourself look a little more stylish, while still being theme-park savvy?  Stay tuned for some inspiration boards, based on REAL CLOTHES I would wear to the parks. Sure, there will be a few fantasy elements in there--what's the fun in only living in the real world? But my goal is to create looks that "Everywoman" (and maybe even later "Everyman") would truly wear. Clothes that wear well, wash well, fit well, flatter, pack well. Is that so much to ask? I say NO!

Let's do this thing.