How to Dress For Your Music Festival Alter Ego
It’s that time of year again: music festival season!
Even if you’re not attending any, then you’re probably one of the people who watches from afar on Instagram, rolling their eyes at the cute snaps of the flower crowns, Coachella’s iconic ferris wheel, or groups of girls in their cowboy boots at Stagecoach.
We all know that sometimes what you’d wear to a music festival (tutus and fur boots anyone?) is probably not what you would wear on an everyday basis, and music fests definitely can serve as a place to let that inner freaky alter-ego girl out for the weekend.
For those of you who are planning to brave the crowds — and look cute while doing so — we’ve put together the ultimate festival fashion guide to make sure you look as un-basic and on-trend as possible!
And no worries girl, we got your back on which bands you should check out at each, to keep you on that emerging music tip. Which style matches your festival alter ego?
Bottlerock Napa Valley: The Bishop Briggs Babe (Sporty/Athleisure)
Athleisure has been taking over the world and allowing us to wear sweatsuits in public and not even be sad (or tacky) about it.
The queen of this sporty look is our fave double-bunned babe, Miss Bishop Briggs. Her style is always funky, always fly, and always on fleek. Bishop’s “go-to” festival outfit “always starts with the right shoes and for me, that’s always sneakers,” she said. “I love Yeezys and anything Adidas!”
Bishop will be performing her hits, “Wild Horses” and “River,” at this years Bottlerock Festival in Napa Valley, and at Coachella.
“I think comfort is super important especially because I’m always jumping around and getting sweaty,” she said when asked what she’ll be wearing.
One thing she said we can count on seeing her wear — and pretty much never see her without — is one of her signature chokers, which are usually vintage finds. Try out a sporty tank like this one from Sweaty Betty, under a sick track or bomber jacket like this one from Juicy Couture, paired with some high-waisted black jeans from PacSun, and these sick sneakers from Clearweather to get a similar look.
Other bands to Check Out at Bottlerock: Partybaby, SWMRS, Gnash, and Andra Day
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Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival: Definitely Deap Vally (Edgy/Boho)
While their music has been described as “scuzzy White Stripes meets Led Zepplin,” the ladies of Deap Vally are next level when it comes to style. Lindsay Troy and Julie Edwards are known for their grungy rock sound, but are far from the T-shirt-and-jeans-wearing ways of bands like Led Zep.
These two are the epitome of cool when it comes to fashion and have been seen in all kinds of styles from glam-rock to boho, to basically undefinable.
“Ridiculous sunglasses” and “shoulder pads” are part of Deap Vally’s “must have” fashion arsenal — definitely not your mother’s flower crown here. The duo is playing at Bonnaroo this year with plans of including “fringe somewhere” for their festival ‘fits.
For a look like the girls of Deap Vally, try this lacey bralette by Journelle underneath this romper by Kendall & Kylie for Pacsun overtop some black fishnets; add these bright red sneaks from Clearweather or your fave black booties. Don’t forget that fringe with this killer cool bag from Joey Wolffer — lastly, to make that rocker vibe really believable, strap on this Fender acoustic to play some covers in between sets.
Other bands to Check Out at Bonnaroo: Nightly, July Talk, Tove Lo, Cage the Elephant, and Cold War Kids
Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival:
The Phantogram Phanatic
(Edgy/Punk)
Sarah Barthel from Electro Rock duo Phantogram is known for her sleek edgy style — it’s basically as if Blondie went to All Saints and decided to live there, literally punk rock chic at its finest.
“[I would wear] something funky as fuck!” she told Galore. “Festivals are great for experimenting. [The] last festival we played, I saw girls wearing titty tassels for shirts, so anything goes these days.”
Sarah and band mate Josh Carter will be performing their biggest tunes all the way from 2009’s “When I’m Small” to their most recent earworm, “You Don’t Get Me High Anymore,” at Coachella. Sarah’s plans for this years outfit are “short shorts, sweat, and happiness,” a look many festival goers will likely share.
If you don’t wanna show up being basic in that played out fringe kimono, check out this killer tunic tee from Sweaty Betty that can be paired over leggings, or under a cute denim or leather jacket. Rock this crossbody bag from Joey Wolffer, and add some killer vegan silver glitter on your eyelids from Lemonhead (or use their glitter dry shampoo!). Don’t forget to wear some comfortable kicks like these cute ones from Clearweather for an awesome edgy festival look.
Other Bands to Check Out at Coachella: Grouplove, Oh Wonder, SOFI TUKKER, and Two Door Cinema Club
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SXSW: The Lizzo Lover (Glam)
It’s sad that Queen Bey had to cancel her appearance at Coachella, but that’s ok because we got our other fave glam girl Lizzo performing at SXSW! This chick is girlie, glam and gorgeous with her style, just like Beyonce — only with kitcshy-er tunes like “Phone” and “Good As Hell,” which are bound to get stuck in your head.
With her glam style, Lizzo is all about the gold jewelry.
“It’s always fun to stand out from the crowd, but I also like to be comfortable,” she says. “I normally wear bright colors and something flowy.” Her outfit plans for the stage this year? You can expect her signature look: “We like to show off our figures with skin tight leotards,” she says.
Try this amazing all-day bodysuit from LIVELY, under a frayed denim skirt like this one from PacSun. Add a glittery crossbody bag like this one from Joey Wölffer and a pair of glam reflective sunnies, or a choker, from Sparkl Fairy Couture. Don’t forget a pair of the most comfortable-but-cute flip flops in the world, anything from Sanuk.
Other Bands to Check Out at SXSW: The Japanese House, Hippo Campus, Running Touch, and Billie Eillish
