The 5 Rules of Festival Fashion

Music festivals, neighborhood festivals, beer festivals, food festivals…it's that time of year again.  Festival season is upon us, and with that brings the need for festival-friendly outfits.  So what do you wear when the heat index is up, the crowds are large, and a lot of walking is inevitable?  I’ve provided a few pointers to ensure that you’re chic, but practical in braving the elements of outdoor events.

DON’T wear anything too nice or expensive. There's a good chance you will get dirty, get beer and/or food spilled on you, get puked on, or all of the above.

DO wear light colors and lightweight fabrics to keep you cool.  A flowy, white blouse, a tissue-thin tank, a slouchy tee—all of these options are light, easy to wear, and versatile.

DON’T wear heels! More than likely, you’ll be walking a lot; so don't wear a shoe that you will regret an hour into it.  No one wants to be stuck with the girl who has to sit in one place all day because she can’t walk another step in her 4” heels!

DO wear flat sandals (there are a plethora of uber-stylish ones to choose from), or if you want more protection for your feet, go for a sportier option with TOMS or Soludos—very comfy and still cute.

DON’T wear a short skirt or dress. With all the moving around, and the possibility of having to sit on the ground at some point, you want to make sure you’re not flashing the masses.  No one wants to see your granny panties.

DO wear a maxi skirt or dress.  Nothing says “SUMMER IS HERE!” quite like a pretty, printed maxi dress or skirt.  You’ll have plenty of breathing room and comfort, plus a maxi dress doesn’t require much styling beyond putting on a pair of shoes and earrings.  You’ll definitely look the part in a maxi dress.

DON’T wear ill-fitting shorts.  That girl who thinks those extremely short, tight, ripped denim shorts look awesome on her always baffles me.  Then there are those who think hot pants are appropriate for every day life.   The general rule is that anything too short or too binding should be left at home.

DO wear denim “boyfriend” shorts.  This style of denim shorts is a great option as they are fairly loose fitting, not too short or too long, and look good with anything.  If you have great legs that you want to show off with a shorter hemline, then look for soft, breathable fabrics such as rayon and linen, and save the denim for longer lengths.  An even easier alternative (and my personal favorite) is a romper.  With this one-piece wonder, you can be dressed and ready to go in 10 minutes, and still look great!

DON’T go overboard on accessories.  Despite the allure of necklaces, earrings, bracelets, sunglasses, rings, large tote bags, and of course the ever-popular straw fedora, please leave the bulk of your accessories at home!  They get in the way and can easily be snagged on someone’s clothing if the crowds are packed like sardines.

DO wear protective accessories, such as sunglasses, summer scarves or head wraps.  That, along with a pretty pair of earrings is enough.  Try to wear clothing with pockets, but if this isn’t an option, a small cross-body bag is perfect for a festival.

This advice seems to be nothing more than common sense, but I’m sure we’ve all seen those women who are dressed to the nines, looking as if she’s going to the club rather than a relaxed outdoor celebration.  I often wonder:  “How can she have fun dressed like that?”  When there’s always something to pull down, pull up, or adjust, it just takes away from your overall experience.  Festivals are meant to be an opportunity to enjoy the vibes, the food, the music, the people—they are NOT meant to be a day spent tending to armpit stains (because you’re shirt is too tight), blistered feet (because your spiked heels gave out within the first 30 minutes), and constant worrying about the possibility of a wardrobe malfunction.

Happy festival season!  May you stay cool, comfortable, and chic!