What to Wear to a Music Festival

The number one rule at a music festival: Anything goes.

m- Music festivals are a magical retreat for your mind, body, and soul. Lofty words of wisdom run parallel with this free-spirit environment. My mind and body went on it's first festival adventure on the top of a mountain side, deep in the Virginian Appalachians. I have been changed ever since.
What to wear to a music festival, you ask?

I have experienced only two festivals: Floyd Fest and Shakori Hills. Two grassroots festivals, both oozing with flavor. I have heard some music, yall. When you are literally in the back woods of the South, something weird happens. Well, everything weird happens....and that's the beauty. 

These are my two spirit mothers during my festival adventures. Leila and Billie have been getting down at festivals all over for years, so they know whats up. When you are on top of a mountain, in acres of forest, or in a sea of dancing people, it is always necessary to have a solid group of people to keep everyone in line. There were no better people to strip me of my festival virginity than these two.

 And look what we're wearing...anything goes. There are, however, several staples that must be packed when asking yourself what to wear to a music festival. If you have these items on your checklist, you are sure to enhance your music festival experience. 

What to Bring to a Music Festival:

Hippie Skirts- this is a no brainier  Long, flowy, skirts and shirts, full of tie-dye and color, are obviously a festival staple. There are endless possibilities when it comes to color, cut, and fabric. You cannot do festival attire no wrong if you are draped in hippie shit. 

Side note: men wear skirts too. 

Breathable clothing: Light, loose fitting tops to keep you cool during the long days out in the sun. Billie rocked merely the bando with a long skirt- perfect for midday in the Appalachian Mountains. 

My first day at Floyd Fest, I wore this red see-through tank (left) that I got at American Apparel for 20 bucks. I paired this light shirt with these awesome stripped shorts from Topman in Soho. I call them my Barcelona shorts. Billie (right) has a similar feel going on with her loose-fitting, mint cardigan thing.

 ( Which I love)

Headbands: I mean duh. Hippie headbands. Functional and fun. 

Headbands really take you there, you know?

Aztec Patterns: I dont know why this is such a festival phenomena, but Aztec/ Native American print has become a reoccurring theme at music festivals everywhere. I mean I'm not mad at it. I got this black and white Aztec tee from Topman and paired them with these muted, color blocking sweatpants from H&M. Jade (beautiful goddess on the right) is rocking Aztec on her shorts. (With her loose fitting top) 

Not totally Aztec, but geometric in pattern, this shirt I found at Goodwill for three bucks. It fit perfectly in the mix. Rocking my Half United Bullet Necklace as well. 

DIY Floral Headpieces: Clearly this accessory has its deepest roots from the time of Woodstock but who doesn't love flowers on your head? The quintessential accessory for these hippie endeavors. We DIY'ed these puppies. 

I dont know who these two were but I am oh so in love. They just fit in with the landscape right? Muted, warm colors everywhere...similar colors found in the setting sun behind me. What I was most impressed about these two was the precious little one's (on the left) choice of pattern combination. I would never think to combine these patterns but they fit together seamlessly. Well done cute little hippie couple. 

Sunglasses: Any shape, color, or size. Don't forget them. You'll regret it if you do. 

Face paint: Its a must. Face paint brings it to the next level. Billie, Leila, and I made it a tradition to paint our faces every day and night during our time in festival land. This brings a whimsical and expressive facet to your look. You feel so much cooler with face paint on....because you are so much cooler with face paint on. 

Boots: Rain boots, mud boots, any kind of boots. It gets dirty out in the wild, so come prepare to stop in some mud. Always always bring boots. 

So pack your bags, folks! The sun says it's music festival season. So listen to some music, have some fun, 

let loose

with peace 

love 

and happiness. 

Because that is what it's all about. Music festivals strip us away of our first world confines, throws us in the woods, and tells you to forget it all for a while. 

 Enjoy it and let loose, because anything goes. 

Because we're obsessed. 

Fresh and Precious