A Guide to Music Festival Fashion

“Music is a world within itself

With a language we all understand

With an equal opportunity

For all to sing, dance and clap their hands”

—“Sir Duke,” Stevie Wonder

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I grew up to the sound of musical instruments reverberating through my house from the depths of our basement. It was there that my Dad held his band practice; he’s been part of a band for as Iong as I can remember (and I would be remiss if I didn’t mention that he’s still jamming out in two bands at the ripe young age of 64). Thanks in part to my frequent attendance at his shows, I understand the transformative power of live music. There’s a deep and insightful connection when real-time music and a diverse crowd of people come together.

Live music is the universal language of love. It breaks down barriers between complete strangers, creating a profound bond. Each musical note adds up to a powerful elixir that washes over the audience, freeing them of inhibitions and identity. Under this spell, people from all walks of life can connect for a magical, fleeting moment in time. It was this realization that cultivated my love of music festivals. There’s nothing quite like the sense of energy, possibility and belonging that results from standing in front of a stage with thousands of people in the middle of nowhere.

My fashion tips? Don’t go too cliché. Instead, choose pieces that embody the happiness and wonder that a music festival evokes. Gone are the days of cheaply-made, overly trendy pieces. There’s a new wave of festival fashion that calls for innovative, fresh and fashion-forward pieces pulled together in an outside-of-the-box way. Below, you’ll find my interpretation to festival style, coupled with some of my favorite song quotations from musicians that I’ve seen and heard perform. Whether you are headed to Lollapalooza, Forecastle or another festival, I hope this post inspires you to uniquely and unapologetically express yourself.

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