Festival Fashion 101

Festival fashion has taken on a life of its own, both in the fashion world and in the music world; what people wear to festivals is being talked about, photographed and published in high fashion magazines and online in music and fashion outlets. As a woman who attended one of the top fashion colleges in New York and who attends many festivals each summer, I want to look my best when I hit a weekend-long festival. But for me, what’s most important is not how I look — it’s how I feel. It’s important to remember that you can look amazing without sacrificing comfort, because no matter how amazing you look, your experience will definitely suffer if you’re not feeling comfortable and confident.

Photo: Tyler Joe for ELLE
Photo: Tyler Joe for ELLE

The easiest way to get the best of both words is to plan ahead! Packing and planning outfits ahead of time will prevent you from throwing a bunch of your trendiest (and most likely impractical) clothing into a bag and rushing out the door to start your trip. While packing, you should first check the forecast for the weekend: Is it going to rain? Is the temperature going to drop at night? Those are crucial factors when deciding what to bring with you. Once you know the forecast, pick a few items that can be worn with multiple outfits, for example, your favorite pair of denim cutoffs. Re-using items will help keep you organized, make your travel lighter and minimize the chances of something getting lost. Make sure you have clothing that is made of mostly cotton or other breathable fabrics; no matter how cute that skintight leather crop top is, your body will thank you for not squeezing into it and walking around in the blazing 90-degree sun all day. If you plan on staying in the festival all day and not returning to your campsite until the music ends for the night, I have one word for you: layers! Wrap your favorite flannel or kimono around your waist until the sun is down, and when you get a little chilly, trust me, you’ll be grateful for this on your walk between stages or back to your tent. Your choice of footwear is also very important, seeing as you’ll be walking a lot, and at night there will often be a sea of unknown things on the ground. My go-to choice of footwear is always a pair of short combat boots, as they’re comfortable, practical and keep my feet clean. If boots aren’t your thing, stick with a pair of slip-on sneakers like TOMS or a pair of sandals with a strap. Avoid anything with a heel and flip flops, as both of those will leave you walking back to your tent shoeless.

Photo: Free People
Photo: Free People

To create the perfect festival outfits, don’t blindly follow trends. Aim to create at least three unique outfits that will make you feel 1-comfortable, 2-confident and, of course, 3-ready to party. Don’t stray too far from your normal style; if you like the grunge or boho look then work with that. Play with some fun pops of colors and prints, add some accessories you wouldn’t normally wear, but don’t go trend overboard (a.k.a. don’t slap on a plastic flower crown, flash tattoos and bindis all at once). Just remember, although you want to look your best and dress for the occasion, you are there for the music, and you shouldn’t let your focus on fashion overpower that.

We will be documenting festival fashion trends and providing tips, tricks, and essential life hacks in future posts, so keep checking back for more info! Let us know if you have any cool outfits or awesome tips you would like us to feature!

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