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 

Spring Style in the South

m- The past couple of weeks I've had the wonderful pleasure to sit my ass down for a minute. It has been sufficiently refreshing. Coming home to Raleigh, North Carolina has always had its ups and downs but this time around, it was nothing but ups. Joining me on this refresh, are my old Raleigh friends from High School and before. There really is nothing better than being home with old friends and enjoying life for a little while. With the weather being more than perfect lately, we have been enjoying it well. 

It all started with mimosas. Amy and I had a religious experience with bottomless mimosas in SF a few months ago and there has been no turning back. Every day has turned into mid-day mimosa day and there have been no complaints from the peanut gallery.

Mimosas lead to dinner nights. Wine and grilled goodness. We know how to do it. 

With good food comes good company:

Katie: Hostess and chef. Katie always serves us a big ole plate of hospitality and

 usually does it in a cute spring dress. 

Amy: Provider of entertainment. She's a good time folks.

 And she has a great card game for after dinner. 

Harrison: Makes sure the wine glass stays full and the person plays their hand in cards.

Sara: Also provider of entertainment. Sara keeps us smiling and is always dressed dapper and fresh.

Lucy is a frequent guest to our gatherings. She is ALWAYS fresh and precious. 

Pictures of her soon. 

Ya know.

Tessie keeps us on our feet. 

I've mentioned many times before that this crew is the perfect representation of classic American sportswear. Every time I walk into Katie's house, these guys look like they are out of a Tommy Hilfiger/ J Crew ad. I have so much fun going over to their house because I can dabble in preppy (but classic) attire. Harrison and Sara definitely have been contributors to my recent love for classic, menswear. 

Check out an old post showcasing their love of sportswear. Click here. 

I scored these wonderful vintage military shorts (right) at the Lucky Strike Boutique in downtown Raleigh and paired them with my staple denim shirt from American Apparel. My brown boots have sort of a combat feel when worn with shorts. Especially these military shorts. 

I always love to see what Sara has on when I meet up with the crew. Of course I love what Harrison brings to the table with his quirky socks and classic colors but Sara has this new found look that is really working for her. Harrison and Sara are like....fresh and precious, you know?

See what I mean by classic America? When it works it works. Bowties, short shorts, and polos. 

If it aint broke, dont fix it. 

Im obsessed with this shirt on the left. Obsessed. Trying to have it Sara...The black and white stripes with red detail....yum. Whats black and white and red all over?

We eat some food, y'all. 

Thank you for a great time, my stylish friends. I think we do America justice. 

God bless America and pour me another mimosa. 

Because we're obsessed.

Fresh and Precious