Are you ready for concerts, the beach and summer fun? Not if you haven’t read this article yet you’re not! Summer is the season for DIY because no girl is ready for a festival without a pair of dip-dyed denim shorts. There’s plenty in here for the guys feeling crafty too. Plus, there’s always bound to be someone dressed even crazier than you, so why not be a little experimental? If you still need convincing that DIY is fashion forward, just take a look at Christopher Kane’s pre-fall 2016 collection. Neon duct tape and a couple of zip ties will get you the same look.
Need to de-stress after finals? Distress your old jeans! Cut and tear them for a grungy new look or chop off the legs for a new pair of cut-off shorts. Measure the inseam of another pair of shorts before you slice anything off to keep the junk in the trunk. To make holes that won’t ruin your jeans, use fabric scissors and cut perpendicular to the way the fabric runs. You don’t need to cut actual holes, just make slits in the fabrics and then use a pair of tweezers to pick out the navy colored threads and leave the white in tact. You can take your distressing a step further by sanding your jeans with light sandpaper (the lower the number the rougher the grit) for a faded look.
Dying is where things get fun, I mean messy. Be careful when working with bleach, it’s better to start with less and add more if necessary. The general ratio is about ¾ to 1 cup of bleach for every gallon of water. Afterwards you can dye over the bleached parts using Rit dye or any other fabric dye from the grocery or craft store. Now you can bleach and dye your jeans, but you can also destroy denim shirts and jackets! Guys might try dip-dying their denim button-downs and then cutting the sleeves off or distressing and dying a denim jacket. Furthermore, studs and patches can be fun accessories to denim or, if you have some time to invest, try picking up embroidery and adding flowers or a tiger to the back of your shirt or jacket.
While denim never goes out of style, the rest of festival fashion has become pretty formulaic in the past year or two. Flower crowns, crop tops, fringe vests and face paint that errs just a bit on the side of culturally insensitive… how do you stand out in a sea of Coachella hipsters?
First off, ditch the flower crown in favor of a straw hat. You can still have some DIY fun with flowers, ribbons and a floppy fedora. Then swap the ‘native’ war paint for a runway inspired makeup look. Karl Lagerfeld’s bold wings and bright neon colors for Fendi make perfect festival looks, and if Delpozo’s creative director, Josep Font, has anything to say about it, you’ll be wearing glitter on your lids too!
For the rest of your outfit I’d really like to know who decided midriffs and booty shorts were the contemporary boho? Nothing is lovelier than a peasant maxi dress with a wide belt or a floral swing dress with a ruffled hem. I’m thinking Anthropologie meets Spell but less pricey. If you’re sticking with shorts a vintage band tee makes for a perfect match or you could find a dressier top with a lace or crotchet overlay.
Also hot for festivals this summer are bandanas. Replace your layers of chains and statement necklaces for a simple bandana worn scarf-style. You might get creative and try using one as an accent over shorts by tying it around your waist. While gladiators will forever be my favorite summer shoe, this season, ankle boots, sneakers, rain boots and espadrilles are your new best friends. For girl’s who still want to wear a heel, pick a chunky heeled boot that’s easy to walk in.
Be creative this summer! Don’t fall victim to the festival clichés. Whether you do-it-yourself or buy it ready-made, pick something that will make you stand out from the lawn of flower-crowns.
