The Budget Babe | Affordable Fashion & Style Blog

Ask BB: What to Wear to a Theme Park

Kate Moss enjoys a carnival ride in an off-shoulder top, shorts and boots.

I'm taking several trips this summer to theme parks in Southern California. I have such a hard time finding bottoms that will both keep me cool and cover up my thighs! Can you help me find some cute outfits for a girl in her early 20's that will beat the heat and stay modest while climbing onto and off of rides? —Annie O.

Theme parks, carnivals and amusement parks aren't exactly known as havens of great style—short-shorts and flip-flops often abound—but that doesn't mean you can't stay cool, comfortable and stylish in your own right. Opt for lightweight fabrics, lots of sunscreen, cool plastic shades that you won't mind losing or breaking, and a tiny cross-body bag for carrying a few essentials, hands-free. Avoid too much jewelry (especially earrings, which can stab your neck while you're being jostled on big rollercoasters), big belts (these get in the way of the harnesses on many rides), white tops (these become see-through on water-rides) and loose shoes (you'll risk losing them on rides that allow your legs to dangle freely.)

Here are three affordable outfit ideas to help get you started!

OPTION 1: Slim-fit cargos are a stylish and much cooler (temperature-wise) alternative to skinny jeans. Walking shorts and cargo capris will do the trick, too. Pair with a colored top that won't become see-through should you embark on any water rides. Flat sandals are comfy and the straps will keep them securely on your feet as you sail through the air on a rollercoaster.



OPTION 2: Add interest to a basic outfit with a lightweight draped vest. Slouchy, dark-wash cropped jeans will cover those thighs from sticky seats and give you breathing room in the heat (although be forewarned, they will take a long time to dry off if you get wet on those water rides!).



OPTION 3: This suggestion might get some groans, but slim-fit sweatpants are really in right now and it's hard to beat the comfort factor! Pair with a more tailored military inspired shirt, gladiator sandals and a small bumbag that shouldn't get in the way of harnesses on even the scariest of rides.
Comments
I like Option 1. I recently went to Disneyland with some family that were in town. They wore the short-short and tanktops and I wore comfy jeans, a burnout tee, and a lightweight boyfriend cardigan. Thanks to the June gloom I never got hot and I certainly didn't get sunburned.

Option 1 sounds good for later in the summer when it's actually warm. I don't think I would wear jeans if I was at Six Flags, and you'll never catch me outside the house in anything resembling sweatpants.
#1 Brianne on 2010-06-23 16:40 (Reply)
Love your advice!
#1.1 The Budget Babe on 2010-06-23 18:14 (Reply)
I know Cali gets cool in the evenings, but if you're headed to Florida, don't bother taking a cardi in July.

I live in Orlando and go the parks often. I can tell you right now, I wouldn't wear sweats at the theme parks in O-Town! Go for a soft, light top and a pair of nice shorts here. YOu can always change them out for a pair of pants or jeans in the room if you decide to go somewhere after for dinner and believe me, you will want to fix hair and makeup after aggressive theme parking. You will most likely want a shower! Get a elastic band for your hair if it's long.

Wear something distinctive in color or a simple pattern to keep your party with you.

Unlike Disneyland, the WDW and Universal theme parks in O-Town are huge! You will need great walking shoes. Go for fashionable sneakers, Your feet will thank me, especially after you've stood and waited five beastly hours in line to ride the Potter-Thing.

Remember they check bags as you go in and some rides, you simply cannot take a bag on, they won't let you.

If you want to avoid this hassle, take a wallet and a few necessary items that you can button down in a pocket like sunscreen, base and lipstick in travel size, if you can.

Wear cheap sunglasses. Whether you secure them or hold them, they might break or get lost.
#2 Stephanie on 2010-06-23 18:29 (Reply)
Thanks BB! These are all great, and I'm especially loving the first outfit. And dare I say...the fanny pack? Time to go shopping!
#3 Annie O. on 2010-06-23 19:05 (Reply)
Love the bumbag and yes great idea on plastic glasses, noted!

http://www.pinkpeonieswithlove.blogspot.com/
#4 Patricia (Homepage) on 2010-06-23 20:03 (Reply)
If you're going to go for the cheapy plastic sunglasses, be careful... most of the inexpensive varieties offer inadequate UV protection, which actually does more damage to your eyes. If you wear sunglasses that don't shield your eyes from the UV spectrum, the shade from the lenses will cause your pupils to dilate, allowing the damaging rays to penetrate deeper than they would if you weren't wearing any glasses at all.
#5 Andrea on 2010-06-23 20:56 (Reply)
I've done a little research on this, here's a quote from msnbc.com: "You do not have to pay a premium for proper UV protection. While more expensive sunglasses may offer more stylish frames, higher quality lenses, sharper images and less glare, it is very easy to find inexpensive glasses that offer 100% UV protection."

Basically, UV protection isn't regulated. Since there's no way to tell (beside the little sticker that claims UV protection), the only sure way is to buy a reputable brand like Oakley or have your eye doctor do a quick, free test to see if your shades are safe or not! :-)

Read more: http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/18317378/#ixzz0rntGObB1
#5.1 The Budget Babe on 2010-06-24 15:21 (Reply)
Great choices however strongly consider rubber sandals, or you'll ruin any other kind of shoes.
#6 Claudia on 2010-06-23 21:19 (Reply)
Great post BB! All these outfits are good options, but I find myself strangely drawn to the uniqueness of the 3rd outfit. It could look so edgy if one has the right sweat pant capris.
#7 MizzJ (Homepage) on 2010-06-24 01:54 (Reply)
DON'T wear white shorts on water rides. Trust me. I like look #2 w/ jean shorts and a more sport like shoe.
#8 LuAnn Bowers on 2010-06-25 07:09 (Reply)
Great suggestions! I love this post, especially because I haven't seen anyone give outfit suggestions for theme parks before! And, it's so relevant for the summer.

Another great tip is to wear a hat that'll protect you from the sun, but will look stylishly cool with your outfit. I love this straw cowboy hat
http://www.kmartdesign.com/shop/accessories/
#9 Kmart Design (Homepage) on 2010-06-25 21:11 (Reply)
Hi~ We're going tomorrow to an Amusement park and I wanted to wear my comfy boots from Elle, it's really comfortable and I definitely wore it for 24 hours last week ... Do u think it's ok to wear a flat comfy boots and short-shorts and comfy loose shirt for tom.??? Please reply ASAP, thank u
#10 Pauline on 2015-04-06 07:13 (Reply)
Definitely, that sounds like the perfect look (perfect for festival season, too!) Have fun!
#10.1 The Budget Babe on 2015-04-07 07:25 (Reply)
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