Autostraddle’s annual A-Camp event is taking place in less than two weeks, which means its time for an annual ritual known as “deciding what to wear to the last-night dance.” If you’re a camper and this concept panics you, never fear — there’s always a solid contingent of attendees just wearing whatever. But if you never shy away from an opportunity to develop a costume of the day, then boy are you in luck.
If you’ve seen “Back to the Future,” then the words “Enchantment Under the Sea” will resonate deeply within you, and surprise: the human body is 60% water, which means wherever these words are resonating, it’s probably full of water or at least water-adjacent. If you haven’t seen “Back to the Future,” then wow you should go see it! It’s important, Marty McFly is a seminal lesbian fashion icon. (If you’d like to forego anything sea-adjacent and just dress as Marty McFly, there are some tips in this post.)
A-Camp Co-Directors Marni and Robin have suggested this dance theme at least five times before but it’s never really “caught on,” unlike a fish you are trying to catch and successfully catch. This year though, we decided to reel that sucker in. Robin is going to live her dreams in #20GAYTEEN with an Under the Sea all-day festival and then this great dance!! I can’t wait!
Femme & Flowy Under the Sea Queen
This is sort of what I imagine it feels like to be resplendent, and also gliding through the ocean powered by rays of glittery sunshine.
1. John Zack Plus Wrap Front Maxi Dress ($67) // 2. Asos Design Pleated-Front Mini Dress ($60) // 3. Asos Metallic Tulle Midi Dress ($87) // 4. Asos Tie-Front Plunge Jersey Maxi beach Dress ($29) // 5. Asos Petite Mesh Dobby Skater Dress ($56) // 6. Blouson Chiffon Skater Dress ($46) // 7. Scattered Sequin Bandeau Mesh Maxi Dress ($190) // 8. Little Mistress Plus Wrap Front Midi Dress With Lace Pleated Skirt ($119) // 9. Little Mistress Plus Full Tulle Maxi Dress With Embroidery ($135)
Getting Pantsy
How about this: pair a white (black or grey) shirt or bralette or halter with blue pants! Instant UNDER THE SEA vibes. You could imagine that your body is under the sea, and your top is over the sea, and that’s why your legs are “the color of the sea.” In truth, most seas are not actually blue, but what is these days you know?
1. Shattered Wave Track Pants $50.95 // 2. Hone Your Town Cropped Pants in Blue ($69) // 3. Waveflare Track Pants $60.95 // 4. Asos High-Waist Pants In Skinny Fit ($40) // 5. Modcloth Every Opportunity Wide-Leg Pants In Navy // 6. Michael Kors Sailor Crop Pants ($84) // 7. Wildfang Kravitz Velvet Cropped Pant ($50) // 8. asosdesign wedding tapered smart pants in bright blue ($79)
Shore Club Chill
Not all of us are mermaids or pirates. Some of us are just hanging out, floating a little, maybe doing a few backstrokes, getting our tan, having a fruity drink.
1. Nobody’s Child Satin Cami Midi Dress ($40) // 2. Microterry Flamingo Romper ($70.99) // 3. Led to Achieve Sleeveless Knit Dress ($59) // 4. Universal Standard Crepe Augusta Geneva Dress ($189) // 5. Mini-Smock Sundress with Tie ($24) //6. Urban Outfitters Serene Satin Dolman Wrap Dress ($59) // 7. Planet Gold Rouched Shoulder Plus Size Cage Neck Romper ($22.97)
Sea it in Print: Masc
This is a great year for button-up short-sleeved shirts with hot prints, because this is the year that Hayley Kiyoko gave the world the music video for “Curious,” in which she is sporting that exact attire. Let’s be honest, this has been a hot look for a minute. But is it a coincidence that Wildfang decided this would be the year to make a dolphin-print short/shirt set? It’s not. Bless us, everyone!
1. Old Navy Slim-Fit Flex Printed Shirt For Men in Octopus ($24) // 2. Wildfang Mingo Button Up ($64) // 3. Bamboo Cay Embroidered Palms Panel Short Sleeve Button-Down Shirt ($79) // 4. Dark Seas Cutty Short Sleeve Button-Down Shirt ($64) // 5. JCrew Factory Slim Short-Sleeve Shark Printed Oxford Shirt in Lagoon Blue ($38) // 6. Gap Print Poplin Short Sleeve Shirt in Stretch ($32) // 7. Wildfang Dolphin Button-Up ($78)
Sea it in Print: Femme
It’s true that Sarah Sarwar and I had a BUSINESS LUNCH with a kickass queer girl from ModCloth a few months back, but at that point we did not know the dance theme at all, so it is obviously a pure coincidence, but also fated in the stars, that ModCloth decided to basically devote their spring/summer collection to things you could wear to the A-Camp dance. Also, they’re super size-inclusive — almost everything included here is offered from XXS to 4X.
1. Land Before Sublime A-Line Dress in Sharks ($79) // 2. Unprecedented Panache Mini-Dress in Memaids ($89) // 3. Graceful Expectations Cap Sleeve Blouse in Mermaids ($35) // 4. Field Questions A-Line Dress in Marine Life ($79) // 5. Surprise Essential Midi Dress in Sailboats ($69) // 6. Retro Renewal Collared Blouse in Waves ($45)
1.Twofer Long Sleeve Dress in Nautical ($35) // 2. Expert in your Zeal A-Line Dress in Seahorses ($79) // 3. Collectif x MC Novel Niceties Lobster Midi Skirt ($65) // 4. Gotta Get Aweigh Short Sleeve Sweater in Mermaid Cat ($45) // 5. Defining Details Shirt Dress ($89) // 6. Your Own Approach Fit & Flare Dress in Mermaids ($79)
Little Mermaids
If you’re a certain type of person, you saw the name of this dance theme and thought OH GOOD, I HAVE MY ARIEL SWIMSUIT FROM DISNEY GAY DAYS AROUND HERE SOMEWHERE. Nobody’s gonna tell you that you can’t wear a swimsuit to a dance, it’s A-Camp. Or, you could pair a flashy mermaid-themed top or bottom with a simpler top or bottom — like a black skater skirt with silver-scaled halter, or a black crop-top with turquoise scaled leggings.
1. Scales Pitch Leggings ($39) // 2. Jaded London Mermaid Foil High Neck Bikini Top $29 // 3. Bathing Beauty One-Piece Swimsuit in Royal Velvet-Plus Size $89 // 4. Mermaid Scale Skirt $23.92 // 5. Boohoo petite mermaid square neck bodysuit $12 // 5. Reclaimed Vintage Foil Festival Men’s Legging ($48)// 6. Shiny Mermaid Fish Scale Hot Pants ($9.99)
Sea Prince
Show up Prince Eric with some authentic lesbian chivalry, why don’t you? A little sea-side pirate flair in the top won’t hurt a thing.
1. Wildfang Neutral Donny Shirt ($55) // 2. Asos Design Premium Historical Lace Blouse With Contrast Detail ($57) // 3. John Zack Plus Longline Blazer ($73) // 4. Fashion Union Wide Leg Tailored Pants Two-Piece ($45) // 5. ASOS Tailored Tapered PANTS in Blue Check ($56) // 6. Truly You Ruffle Detail Blouse ($64) // 7. Next Skinny Velvet Blazer in Blue ($143)
No suggestions for how to dress up as “Jenny Schecter and her Manatees”? It’s a great couples costume!
Autostraddle I’m so disappointed…
Someone please do this
I considered going as an upside-down house, You know, an underwater mortgage. But only accounting nerds like me would get it…
I know pirates are OVER the sea and not UNDER it, but I have this kick ass corset and could do like a pirate lady thing…
PIRATES ARE ENCOURAGED because they are UPON the sea, they are basically sea creatures, sea-adjacent, sea-associated
YES!!!!!!!! One Sexy Pirate Hard Femme coming to an A-Camp near you!
Also I feel like a lot of pirates by reputation do seem to fall into (and rapidly under) the sea…
I used to illegally download MP3s
Should I dress up as a Napster Pirate?
I’m going through a breakup and I’m a first-time camper and I’m scared as the dickens for all of it and have decided to heap ALL of that emotion and anxiety into stressing about camp clothing, but the second you announced camp theme I WAS READY. Turns out I have a full-length, “wow my ass looks great” mermaid skirt and it’s finally time for the world to see it.
THANK YOU, A-CAMP.
Also, you’re welcome.
EXCITED FOR THIS DANI
Camp is going to be great and so are you! See you there!!!
Took a lil dive into my moms insane costume collection.
This mermaid costume is missing the tail.
And this Ursula costume will most certainly not fit in my bag.
Back to the drawing board.
Oh no I can’t make pictures work :(
The costumes look pretty awesome :) haha
i fixed it for you!
Wow thank you!!
OMG Ursula
ABBIE I LIKE YOUR ENTHUSIASM
THANK YOU!!! ?
THESE OUTFITS ARE ALL AMAZING AHHH
Also I have been eyeing one of those Modcloth dresses for awhile so I will take this as a sign to get it.
IF NOBODY COSPLAYS THE BACK TO THE FUTURE ENCHANTMENT UNDER THE SEA DANCE EVEN A LITTLE, I’M GONNA BE VERY UPSET
“Topless sunbathing” is also a good look
Even better with properly and evenly apply sunscreen.
I’ve seen things that cannot be unseen, y’all please use sunscreen
A shoulder isn’t the only thing that can peel, think about how that might feel
I guess I’m a very different type of certain person because I saw “Under the Sea” dance theme and thought FISHNET.
You are not alone! I’m bringing a pair of blue fishnet sleeves. Though they don’t really match my dance outfit so I might wear them during the day instead. But yes I had the same thought.
Was thinking more like fishnet dress or fishnet shirt under a suit jacket or blazer rather than fishnet accessories.
My costume for Under the Sea will be “Queer Girl Drowns in Pool after being Overwhelmed by Awesome Queers at A-Camp”. Look out for my pool noodle and TomboyX bathing suit.
Hey, don’t drown @queergirl
She’s not Jenny Schecter
Could you fix the link for Next Skinny Velvet Blazer in Blue? It looks awesome!
I thought sailor outfit – I love sailor inspired shirts and dresses, especially the vintage ones.
And I love wearing blues and greens in the summer. Those flirty, flowy sundresses are just lovely.
Damn wish I could go, start saving now, maybe next year, depending on when it is and if school is done.
oh, wow, i am a sea prince.
I want to see similar themed ideas for our pets. I know some of you already have these in your closet ;)Ready… GO!