It’s almost Dapper Day at Walt Disney World. This is when
people travel from all over the world to show up and show off their best Disney-inspired ‘fits. Not quite cosplay but instead fancy Disney-bounding, the
aesthetic is retro, colorful and very dapper, of course.
Founded in 2011 by designer Justin J., Dapper Day began as a
social group, meeting all over Los Angeles at museums, farmers' markets and more
where people gathered to show off their style. An annual fall meetup at Disneyland
in California has now grown into several events per year in Anaheim, Walt
Disney World in Florida, as well as Disneyland Paris. There’s also a Dapper Day
Expo in Anaheim where you can shop for fashion (held at Disneyland to coincide
with the fall Dapper Day).
At a Dapper Day event, there are sometimes concerts and
parties, but part of the Disney Dapper Day schedule of events is a theme park
day where you dress in your dapper wear. Though the organization is not
affiliated with Disney, Dapper Day attendees do receive discounts for the hotels
and parks. There are no specific organized meetups within the parks as thousands
usually attend, but there is tons of people-watching and sometimes impromptu group
photos as well as socializing. Dapper Day participants are encouraged to show
up in their Sunday best, which can be based on a favorite character or theme,
but not an actual costume, as Disney prohibits adults from wearing costumes (so
that you won’t be confused with actual cast members).
Though a lot of the outfits have a retro ‘50s and ‘60s feel,
you can craft your look from any decade or time period. Whether
you’re going Victorian steampunk or
leaning into Star Wars futurism, the only suggestion is “dress to express.” Some base
their outfits on animated Disney characters, while others go for the colors or a
ride or even a section of the theme parks. If you’ve never seen a dress based on
the Epcot dome or a suit that looks like the Orange Bird from the Tiki Room,
here’s your chance.
Popular styles at the events include full, pleated dresses, three-piece
suits, silk scarves, flowers, gloves, lapel pins, vintage purses and
definitely a nice hat. Though, we would never recommend a day at Disney in
heels, since it’s all about the look and not cramming in rides, heels and
wingtips look great, but a cute flat or preppy tennis shoes works too.
If you need a little inspiration to start, check out Dapper Day’s Instagram account or shop right from their website where they sell
outfits, accessories or fabric to make your own ensemble. There's also a schedule of upcoming events, including the next event in Walt Disney World this weekend. Start working on your ensemble for next year now and whatever you do,
just make it fashionable.