Enchantment Under the Sea: Some A-Camp Dance Style Ideas

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.