This is Scarlet Rhapsody’s fourth outing to Dapper Day. Dapper Day is a bi-annual event at the Disney parks in Anaheim, Orlando, and Paris. Dapper Day is growing larger every year becoming Disney’s most popular unofficial dress up day. So much so, Disneyland park has responded by creating a 1950’s and 1960’s themed night in January 2018. There’s no doubt that Dapper Day is here to stay. Dapper Day Expo also had their first bout in having paid admission. For $10 per person, you could shop, attend panels, and get autographs from big names in the vintage world. This year, we brought three members of Scarlet Rhapsody to Dapper Day – Deb, Jared, and myself.
The Outfits
For day one, Deb and I decided to “gamerbound.” Gamerbound is a a rulebreaker (non-Disney) take on bounding. For the longest time, we’ve been meaning to bound from our favorite video game series, Metal Gear Solid. We went from part three, Metal Gear Solid: Snake Eater. We weren’t expecting people to know what we were bounding from, we just wanted to have fun – showing our love of video games and old time style.
Deb as The Boss from Metal Gear Solid: Snake Eater in a Unique Vintage dress.
Myself as Big Boss / Snake from Metal Gear Solid: Snake Eater in the military secretary dress from Pinup Girl Clothing.
For day two, Jared went as Pete the Black from Goof Troop. In the Goof Troop series, Pete the Black was a used car salesman, so we took any photos we could by old timer cars in DCA.
I went as Elsa in a 1920s style dress. The dress is from Fan Plus Friend. The hair accessories are from The Vintage Darling.
The Expo
Deb and I covered the floor of the Expo. Admission for two days was a mere $10. $10 got you all access to the expo. It was minimal, and we hope they keep it that way. The usual clothing brands were there from Pinup Girl Clothing, Unique Vintage, etc. There were also pin dealers that sold the coveted “D” pins. A few new vendors were present – there were even vintage kimono dealers. I saw an influx of tiki themed accessories now that tiki style is really making a comeback in the parks. Additionally, Besame Cosmetics were also pushing their Snow White line. I ended up buying rouge to replace my powdered blush. I also ended up picking up dresses from Loco Lindo and Double Trouble Apparel. This was a nice place to try on dresses that you would normally see online!
Deb and I also went to the Besame Cosmetics presentation on Old Hollywood style and glamour. Gabriela Hernandez, the founder of Besame Cosmestics hosted the presentation. She went through the history of cosmetic aesthetics that lead from the 1920’s to the 1930’s. She also talked about how Hollywood films influenced and propagated this aesthetic for the every day woman. Gabriela also covered how Old Hollywood glamour also influenced Snow White’s character design aesthetic in the 1937 animated feature. Questions from the audience included what would be the next Disney princess to get her own Besame treatment. Gabriela couldn’t comment, but she did hint out the next tie-in for Besame is the upcoming Miss Fisher’s Murder Mystery series.
Additionally, there were special appearances by celebrities in the pinup world like Dita Von Teese! A line for her book and photo op circled around the expo on Sunday. Fans of all ages went to go meet the queen of burlesque. Photos with Dita cost $10 – a whooping deal compared to her $175 photo op at Art of the Teese!
Dapper Day Fall 2017
Just a few photos from my camera of Jared bounding as Pete the Black and myself as Queen Elsa.
Dappy Day Style
Various photos of people representing Disney style.
Attraction Count
- Guardians of the Galaxy: Mission Breakout
- Guardians of the Galaxy: Mission Breakout
- Tow Mater’s Jamboree
- Voyage of the Little Mermaid
- Redwood Creek Trails
- Star Tours
- Jungle Cruise
- Mark Twain
- Pirates of the Caribbean
- Big Thunder Mountain
- Star Tours
- Indiana Jones and the Temple of the Forbidden Eye
- Enchanted Tiki Room
Dapper Day Record to Beat: 23
Overall
This has got to be the biggest Dapper Day yet! However, this year’s Dapper Day was met with controversy. There were a few park guests that snuck literal costumes into the parks bypassing security. Additionally, Disneybounders that tend to be “extra” also felt the brunt of these accusations. Bounders who used wigs were accused of cosplaying in the parks and were not considered “dapper.” Newbies also felt some intimidation from veteran bounders. I never seen this level of post-event drama from Dapper Day. I would expect this more from the cosplay / convention scene. It does make me sad that people feel that they’re not good enough for Dapper Day either as a newbie to the event or a newbie to bounding. We all started somewhere once – I’m just happy to see people dressed up and having a swell time in the parks. While, I do dress retro to the parks all the time (it’s just a part of my lifestyle), it is nice to see people around you dress their Sunday best. If you’re new to Dapper Day or Dapperbounding, don’t feel intimated. Represent what you love in the style you love best. Never feel intimated or that you’re never good enough to be a part of the crowd. If a Hot Topic dress makes you happy – then rock it! If a vintage dress from your family speaks to your style – don’t let anything stop you!
Dapper Day is my favorite time to go to the parks. However, I am curious what Disneyland’s official sanctioned 1950’s and 1960’s could mean…
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