March 3, 2011 - 5:40pm
Fashion for the festivals
BY ARIELLE SPECINER
The true meaning of summer? No school, no worries — just music festivals. The only potential issue is figuring out what to wear for these weekend-long summer jam sessions.
I’ve compiled a day-by-day list of looks for the major music festivals based on their lineups, audience and location.
Bonnaroo: With headliners ranging from Stevie Wonder to the Dave Matthews Band to Jay-Z, and supporting artists such as the National, the Black Keys and Dr. Dog, the style has to be eclectic — yet still in sync with the old-school Bonnaroo hippie style.
Mix a little vintage with a little modern in this top hat-topped ensemble. Bring bland-colored outfits to life with colorful bags or scarves. Don’t forget — mixing patterns is not always dangerous! (Done the right way, of course.)
Kick it back west with this hippie-western-inspired ensemble. Bathing suits as tops are completely acceptable, as you will be standing in the scorching sun for hours listening to your favorite bands. And with the vintage crochet vest and cowboy boots, you’d fit right in with the Blitzen Trapper and Tori Amos crowd.
Bring it down south with a crop-top flannel and mix it up with this India-inspired pin. Accessorizing the right way is very important. Don’t be afraid to sport some jewelry a different way, as I substituted what would be a necklace as a headband instead.
What is a festival without a long skirt? This skirt is unique in that it can be worn hundreds of ways. Here, I chose to show it as a long skirt with a sheer tank. Because the weather is so hot, sheer, flowy tops are not a no-no. Just be sure to wear a bandeau or bathing-suit underneath!
Pitchfork Music Festival: This is a festival for those who are serious about music. Though the lineup is not as broad as some of the bigger music festivals, it’s just as great. With dance-pop acts such as Robyn, hit-makers LCD Soundsystem, chilled-out Beach House and other indie favorites, hip/chic looks must be obtained.
Show a little skin by wearing a crop-top vest and high-wasted shorts. You can afford to look a little folksy and feminine while watching Broken Social Scene and Robyn on Day 1. But please, by any means, do not wear the beads shown here. Opt for a gold chain instead — I just couldn’t find mine so I improvised. A thin gold chain makes the look classier and more chic.
Bring a little edge to the table with a low-cut V-neck vest and high-wasted skirt with an intense belt. A skirt is really easy to move around in, especially when dancing to LCD Soundsystem and Wolf Parade. Of course, the coolest accessories can complement any outfit, and any dance move that goes with it.
Again, edgy is key for Pitchfork, but you can always soften up a hard outfit with florals and tribal prints, as I did with the bag and bracelet, respectively. Wearing a dress under a skirt can give you a whole new look. An outfit can flow better when the top coincides with the bottom.
Lollapalooza: The three-day musical haven in Grant Park is home to a very wide range of talented acts. Pop sensation Lady Gaga headlines with Green Day and the Strokes, as smaller (but just as great) acts such as MGMT, Minus the Bear and Neon Trees will wow the hipster-filled crowd. Almost anything goes at Lolla, but don’t forget, you’re competing with Gaga for best dressed, so you better get to packin’!
The weather will be delightful while basking in the Chicago sun, so play it up with florals and bright belts. I learned this little trick form Free People: If you wear a dress and high-wasted shorts, with a little frill of the dress showing through, a cute combo can come about. Also, a bow in your hair is a perfect accessory as you watch frilly frontwomen such as Neko Case (the New Pornographers), Kim Schifino (Matt & Kim) and Erykah Badu.
Again, florals are a big part of beautiful weather and amazing music. Lace tops are also a sure bet when standing outdoors for hours, as it can get very hot. Sheer tops are still an option, but again, bandeau it!
OK. So I said this was a hipster hangout, so you must bring out the fake (or real) thick-rimmed glasses and a bow in your hair for full effect. Why not play it up more with a vintage vest and high-wasted shorts? (I know, they look like a skirt! That’s why they are so awesome!) Watching the Black Keys and Jamie Lidell in this ensemble will make you feel right at home.
Well, that’s all for my festival fashion fixes. Stay cool while looking cool in these summer spectacles. Enjoy the music, everyone! Especially when you look this good.
