Showing posts with label disney. Show all posts
Showing posts with label disney. Show all posts

Monday, August 25, 2014

Dressing 4 Disney - Night & Day

Disney World has many facets to it. On the surface, to the uninitiated it appears to be "just a theme park".  Be we who have taken the opportunity to fully embrace Disney know it is so much more.

People are always surprised when I tell them that fully half the reason we love to go to Disney is for the food! We have a sit-down meal nearly every night of our trip, some of them quite swanky (and there are entire blogs dedicated to the food at Disney, like my favorite DisneyFoodBlog.com, for instance.) Sure, some people will still walk in with cargo shorts and muscle tees, but that's fine. We're not there to look at everyone else, we're there to enjoy one another's company, soak in the joyful atmosphere, appreciate excellent customer service, and of course eat delicious cuisine from around the world (and World !).

Thursday, May 29, 2014

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!

Wednesday, May 21, 2014

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...


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!

Monday, May 19, 2014

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.

I'm going to Disney World!

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?)

Mad Hatter - Disney's Alice in Wonderland
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.