South by Southwest just ended, Coachella wristbands are arriving in the mail, McDowell Mountain Music Festival is this upcoming weekend and it doesn’t end there. Festival season has arrived and is surely in the air to say the least. But along with the sunshine, great music, and camping, festivals have turned into somewhat of a fashion show for bohemian babes. What will you be packing this year?
I have put together five essential items for any festival goer. Have fun packing, and if you’re going to be at McDowell Mountain Music Festival this weekend make sure to wear your best street style — I’ll be there with my camera!
1. Backpack
First things first — you will need a backpack! This will be your homebase for the day, where you keep all of your precious festival belongings. Whether you’re a leather or a floral kind of gal, there’s so many to chose from. The alameda embellished backpack from Free People, addison leather backpack from Gypsy Warrior, and deux lux floral backpack from Urban Outfitters are a few of my favorites.
Choose your backpack wisely; this will be your homebase for all of your precious festival belongings. Photo courtesy Free People, Gypsy Warrior, and Urban Outfitters. Photo collage by Gabi Nelson2. Sunglasses
Hopefully the sun will be shining bright for your festival experience, so make sure to back sunglasses. If you have my luck you probably want to bring more than one pair in case they break or get lost. Cat eye and rounded glasses are super in this year, and can give a funky look to any outfit. Some of my favorite include the lady luck sunglasses, heart of glass sunglasses and moonies all from Wasteland.
Cat eye and rounded sunglasses can give a funky look to any outfit. Photo courtesy of Wasteland. Photo collage by Gabi Nelson3. Hats
Along with sunglasses, hats will help keep the sun out of your face while also doubling as a super adorable accessory. Floppy and bowler hats are making a hit again this year along with beanies and baseball hats. Two of my favorites are the knit porkpie hat from Urban Outfitters and feather floppy hat from Nasty Gal.
Hats will keep the sun out of your face while also doubling as a super adorable accessory. Photo courtesy of Urban Outfitters and Nasty Gal. Photo collage by Gabi Nelson.4. Dresses and Rompers
Loose, breezy dresses and rompers will be your best friend at a music festival. Lightweight to pack, comfy, and not to mention the many different styles to chose from! Crochet, fringe, polka dot, and floral are my favorite styles for a music festival. The riviera dress from Gypsy Warrior, wanderlust fringe dress from Nasty Gal, katelyn dress from Brandy Melville, and tie front pin-up romper from Urban Outfitters are some of my favorites for inspiration.
Loose breezy dresses and rompers will be your best friend at a music festival. Photo courtesy of Gypsy Warrior, Nasty Gal, Brandy Melville, and Urban Outfitters. Photo collage by Gabi Nelson5. Floral headpieces
Floral headpieces are feminine, daring, and completely acceptable at a music festival. Keep a lookout for a future DIY project on how to make one of your own! Some of my favorites are the eve rose crown from Nasty Gal and flower crown headwrap from Urban Outfitters.
Floral headpieces are feminine, daring, and completely acceptable at a music festival. Photo courtesy of Nasty Gal and Urban Outfitters. Photo collage by Gabi Nelson
With any questions, comments, or story ideas email me at gmnelson@asu.edu, or Twitter @gabinelsonlove
