Let’s say you are planning a family or group outing and want to match without being “the matching tourists.” There are some fun ways to recognize your group without wearing neon orange with clip art (no offense Mom, I did love your work). From simple shoe choices to comfortable jerseys, there are some easy and affordable ways to plan your next themed outing to a theme park, beach, cruise or wherever.
When picking a group outfit there are some important questions you need to ask everyone first:
- How much are we spending?
- What level of theme do we want?
- Are we getting singular items or a full outfit?
- How important is comfort during a long event day?
The last thing you need is to be the expensive trip planner who bought scratchy shirts and shoes that no one broke in. There can be great ideas that work at home, but after walking eight miles in Florida’s sun the plan starts to fall apart. Don’t worry, I have some ideas.
Custom jerseys
Every school needs new jerseys. Every little league needs their custom shirt. You can use this very popular purchase to your advantage, by buying jerseys for your “team.” From football to soccer, to baseball, basketball or hockey, there is a jersey that can work out. And there are quite literally hundreds and hundreds of color options to choose from. You will find something that works for your color needs.
On a recent family trip to Universal Epic Universe, I found the website Family-Gift. I wanted to create jerseys that matched each of the theme park’s lands and yet still felt cohesive for the group. Purple/Black for Dark Universe, Gold/Black for Celestial Park, Red/Orange for How To Train Your Dragon: Isle of Berk, Navy for Harry Potter: Ministry of Magic and Pink/Green for Super Nintendo World.
One of my favorite parts was the customization aspect. You could pick the jersey number, the team name, the “athletes” name, the type of stitching and even add on logos to certain areas. I used the logo function to add on a Bride & Groom mark for our group’s newly-weds. And before you ask, no, this isn’t sponsored. I encourage you to find a site that works best for you. But Family-Gift was the best option I could find for relatively quick shipping, a ton of jersey options and their site wasn’t sketchy like some other options.
The power of Walmart & Amazon
I love visiting the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at the Universal theme parks. I don’t love being in a thick robe in August. That is where going a bit cheaper works in your favor. Yes, Universal offers some great quality options. They have wonderful wands, accurate robes and some truly fantastic winter wear. But during my day to Universal Studios Florida I am looking for comfort and a product I don’t mind potentially getting a bit dirty.
That is where Walmart and Amazon come in to save the day. The girl in the photo above, she is wearing a $40 robe instead of $99 one. It is cheaper, it is lighter to wearer and it is easier to pack. It is normal for Walmart to offer Harry Potter themed items around September and October each year. And of course, Amazon always has someone willing to sell you merch, even if they legally have to call it “the magic wizard school robe, green.”
But that isn’t all. Matching shirts can be easy to find for most major movies and fandoms. We setup a Walmart Storefront List of Affordable Matching Options (this link does contain some affiliate options, we may receive compensation if you purchase these items). Even looking away from themed shirts, everyone wearing the same blue shirt can be helpful. The classic parent and me outfits also work for an easy option.
Retro fashion for less on eBay
Don’t forget about the power of vintage clothing. From eBay to second hand shops, there is a massive assortment of secondhand clothing waiting to be reused. Filter to your price range, scroll and you will be surprised by how many items you may find – especially if you are looking for a popular fandom like Disney, Nascar, Cruising or National Parks.
While it can be harder to find exact matching options for each person in your group, these older fits can provide a similar aesthetic. eBay is also a great spot for finding jackets and big coats at a discount, a great option if you are looking to visit a snowy destination and need specific items.
This article contains affiliate links. That means we may make some profit off of sales on these products. Affiliate links do not raise the price for you, but as a recommender, we may be compensated for sharing these links.
