Have you stumbled across the term Disneybounding on Pinterest, or seen it pop up in forums and wondered what it’s all about? This post is for you! Keep reading to find out what Disneybounding is, why it’s so much fun, and how to get started!
What is Disneybounding?
Are you planning to visit a Disney theme park? Do you want to wear something fun and stylish, something that fits the vibe, but you can’t see yourself in one of the matchy-matchy Family Vacation t-shirts? Disneybounding may be for you!
Disneybounding is a fun and creative fashion trend that lets you channel your favorite Disney characters through creative, everyday outfits—without looking like you're wearing a costume. It's a clever way to celebrate your vacation while still feeling stylish and comfortable, whether you’re heading to the parks or just adding a little extra magic to your day-to-day wardrobe. Disneybounding outfits use color schemes, accessories, and styles to evoke the essence of a character in a subtle, stylish way -- it’s not a costume, it’s an homage.
What Can I Wear?
Disneybounding can be as simple or as elaborate as you like. For example, as a no-fuss way to channel Minnie Mouse, you could wear polka dots and yellow shoes. For a more sophisticated look inspired by Cinderella, you could choose a light blue dress, silver pumpkin-themed jewelry, and clear jelly shoes (heels optional). The key is to capture the character's color palette and signature elements, while keeping the outfit wearable for casual fun! Disneybounding can also be a gender-neutral way to show your appreciation of any character; you can bound as anybody you like and still keep to your own personal style.
What characters can you pick? The sky’s the limit! Princesses are obviously a top choice, villains are always wicked fun, and showing off your creativity with unconventional choices or interesting mashups will certainly get noticed! The only real restrictions are those set by Disney themselves. Full costumes on adults aren't allowed in the parks (no replica fancy ball gowns, for example), and full length capes and face masks are also not allowed. That's part of what makes Disneybounding so much fun; you can come up with your own related look, and really stretch your creativity to ensure you're expressing the core of the character you're working towards.
Where Do I Start?
As you're thinking about your Disneybound, here are three steps to get you on your way.
- Colors. Think about the color palette of your character; what do they usually wear? Do they have multiple looks you can choose from, like Belle's blue-and-white town dress vs. her golden ballgown? Make a list of three or four colors to stay within.
- Characteristics. What are some objects or components that remind you of your character? Woody has his iconic cowboy hat, the Cheshire Cat's stripes are just as important their color, and Ursula's tentacles always grab your attention. Can you think of accessories, jewelry, or other accents that evoke those components?
- Closet. Take a look through your own clothes to find something you already have that might fit the bill -- often, solid colors are a good choice to convey your character simply. If you’re the crafty type, feel free to make something custom, browse your online megamart of choice, or keep an eye out for something in the colors you’re looking for the next time you’re at the mall. Don’t worry too much about being precise -- you're going for the vibes here, and again, the goal is to have fun and to make an outfit that makes you feel comfortable, confident, and ready to dive into the magic at a Disney theme park!
Some Sensational Samples
Now, let's get into a few examples -- and there's no better place to start than with the iconic Sensational Six!
Colors: The Sensational Six -- Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Daisy, Pluto, and Goofy -- are instantly recognizable just from their distinct palettes. You can use these colors to help guide your thinking:
Characteristics: What do you think of when you think of each of these characters? Think about what they wear, and what the characters themselves are like. You can certainly make a much longer list than this, but here's a sample:
Mickey: Ears, buttons, shorts
Minnie: Hair bows, polka dots, dresses
Donald: Nautical, hats, tie
Daisy: Bows, pastels, flowers
Pluto: Collar, tail, paws
Goofy: Hat, vest, hot dogs
Closet: Now it's time to put it all together! Find pieces in your existing wardrobe that could be a good match, or have some fun shopping -- and remember you don't have to spend a lot! Take a look through the outfits below for some final inspiration before you put together your own looks!
Mickey's color palette does a lot of the heavy lifting here! A pop of yellow on top of the red, black, and white really sells it, and accessories like the classic Mickey Mouse watch (there's even a Mickey face for Apple Watch!) adds a great touch.
Polka dots for Minnie are a must, and you can pretty easily pick between pink and red for your base. Hair bows are a fantastic option, but she's also been known to rock some pretty great hats if that's more your speed.
Adding some nautical touches in your accessories are a great way to bring Donald Duck to life! Boat shoes or anchor jewelry are solid choices, and a red bow tie or neckerchief are a smart accent.
Daisy has such a fun diva vibe -- you can hardly go too over-the-top with this fashion icon! Pink sunglasses and a lavender shirt with white pants or a skirt will get you 90% of the way, and then you can accessorize and dress it up from there!
You definitely don't need a dog collar for Pluto, but pops of that green are a smart way to reference it! Belts, bow ties, hair bands, or shirt collars are fun ways to bring it in. Dog-related accessories shaped like paws or dog bones add even more fun!
For Goofy, the hat's the thing -- figure out your topper and work down from there! You can also dress up or down as you like, from a buttondown and tie, to shorts and sneakers.
The Real Life Example
The Second Star team recently had the chance to visit Walt Disney World together, and from the smallest Stars on up, we had a blast putting together our takes on these six icons! My favorite details are always the smallest ones, like the paw print on Pluto's hat, Goofy's hot dog tie pin, Donald's jaunty kerchief, Daisy's yellow socks, Minnie's ear pendant, and Mickey's red glasses!
Ready? Go have fun!
Now that you know the ins and outs of Disneybounding, it’s time to have some fun and get creative with your outfits! Whether you’re putting together a subtle nod to Peter Pan with red feather pin on your hat, or going all out with a bold black and white Cruella look, the most important thing is to make it your own and enjoy the magic. If you’re looking for more inspiration, tips, or just want to show off your Disneybounds, be sure to follow us on Instagram at @SecondStarAdventure for all things Disney style, park adventures, and more!
