Secrets. Everyone has them. They can be paralyzing. But they can also be fun. And when going to Disney, there’s a fun way to show your love for a character without having to plaster them all over your clothes (although I’m a proponent of that option, too). To pay homage to your favs in such a way that only those who are paying close attention will even notice. A secret identity.
Enter Disneybounding.
What is Disneybounding?
Disneybounding is a subtle way to pay tribute to your favorite characters. Often times, the outfits are fashionable and can be worn to the parks or out in the general, non-Disney public. Because the outfits can be so deep undercover (and let’s give credit where credit’s due, Disney picks amazing color schemes for their character designs that basically beg to be worn), people have even Disneybounded to job interviews and the potential employers were none-the-wiser.
What Disneybounding Isn’t
It isn’t cosplay. You’re not wearing a costume. In fact, according to Disney’s rules on attire, guests older than 14 aren’t permitted to wear a costume in Disney parks unless it’s Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, or Star Wars: Galactic Nights.
Where Did This Trend Come From?
Blogger Leslie Kay coined the term “Disneybounding” back in 2011 by accident. Back then, she ran a Tumbr called Disneybound because she was literally Disney bound. With pre-trip excitement mounting, she put together some outfits inspired by her favorite characters. Her site took off from there.
Kay still runs the Tumbr and a Disneybounding website with Polyvore-style clothing compellations people have thought up. If you’d like to fall in a rabbit hole, check out her site. I particularly love the Scar bounds.
How Do You Do It?
There are a few trains of thought on exactly where to start. Both hold specific advantages.
1. Start with a character.
Pick a character you like and then go through your closet for pieces that will contribute toward that desired look. For example, when Joe and I were going to see The Incredibles 2 for a nice little date night, I decided I wanted to be Violet Parr. I found a red tank top, dark gray pants, and black booties all in my closet. I completed the look with an orangey-yellow headband I’ve had for probably 10 plus years and never thrown out. Sometimes being a little packrat-ish pays off. I got lucky because I owned all of the items I needed, but I could’ve found a belt at a store to match the headband if I really wanted to make what I was trying to accomplish more obvious. And if I’d put more forethought into it. (Honesty’s the best policy, right?)
2. Start with a clothing item.
Whether it’s something you already own or you’re at a store and you see something that reminds you of a character, you can use that inspiration as a starting point. Then you work around that item to complete the look using the character’s color palate as your guide. Kay suggests checking places that have cheaper clothing like Forever 21 so you don’t break the bank.
Have Fun With It!
Disneybounding is a great way to show how much you love Disney. You can commit as much as you want, coordinating just clothes or adding accessories to really sell the look.
It’s also fun to see how many people can recognize your bound and how many others you can find who are Disneybounding.
And, of course, it’s also fun to find the character you’re bounding as in the park and pose for a photo!
One thing’s for sure, Disneybounding’s an art form.
Would you Disneybound in the parks? In public? Have you already Disneybound? Share your experiences below.
