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What To Wear To Summer Festivals

Tickets for this year's Coachella festivities sold out faster than you could say "Jimmy Eat World is still around?" But if you've managed to score yourself a spot, don't think that you can rest on your laurels. You've still got to figure out what to wear to the most stylish music festival all year. Dressing for the event is a balancing act: You've got to combat the heat, harsh sun, hours of standing, and your fellow, drunken peers...but we've got eight tips to get you there in style. Here's our simple guide to what to wear to Coachella and all the other great summer music festivals to come!
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Choose Clothes In Printed, Lightweight Fabrics—There's no fabric on Earth more breezy than a lightweight silk. Just avoid those awkward sweat stains by picking one in a crazy, on-trend print.
Above, from left: Paul & Joe Cat-Print Silk-Crepe Pants, $340, available at Net-A-Porter; Sparkle & Fade Printed Pants (not shown), $29.99, available at Urban Outfitters; Wren Silk Cutout Dress, $242 available at Satine, 8134 West Third Street (at Crescent Heights Avenue); 323-655-2845; Alice + Olivia Silk Play Shorts, $176, available at Singer 22; Madewell Triangle Ballad Dress, $135, available at Madewell.
Keep Your Beauty Low-Maintenence—You don't have time to worry about reapplying your melting makeup (but do make time for reapplying sunscreen!), so make sure your first time lasts by opting for long-wear makeup and moisturizing stains. Face sprays and blotting paper are good for cooling down and wicking away oil in a flash.
Above, from left: Lancome 18-Hour Shine-Free Makeup, $32, available at Nordstrom; ASOS Lookbook Makeup Inspiration, via ASOS; Tokidoki Gelato Lip Balm Stain, $9, available at Sephora; Boscia Green Tea Blotting Linens, $10, available at Sephora.
Be A Shady Lady—A ventilated hat is key to enjoying yourself, and pretty important if you don't want to end up seeing spots for weeks and getting...*shudder*...scalp burn. Go for a floppy or fedora style straw hat and try out this trick we recently learned from blogger The Glamourai. Give your old straw hat an update with some novel trimming around the crown, like vintage rhinestone necklace or some cool old ribbon or do like Lanvin and purposefully fray the edges.
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Above, clockwise from top left: ASOS Oversized '70s Straw Hat, $35.86, available at ASOS; Eugenia Kim Chain-Trimmed Sun Hat, $300, available at Net-A-Porter; Urban Outfitters Lacy Edge Straw Hat, $39, available at Urban Outfitters; J. Crew Woven Straw Fedora, $39.50, available at J. Crew.
Look On The Bright Side—This is the perfect time to really go for the bright color trend for spring. Electric, highly saturated, neon colors will ensure that no one loses sight of you in the crowd.
Above, clockwise from top left: Old Navy Thin Faux-Leather Belt, $12.50, available at Old Navy; Zara Bright Leather Belt, $39.90, available at Zara; Marc By Marc Seagrass Cross-Body Bag, $150, available at Net-A-Porter; Theory Larianna Intellect Romper, $295, available at Theory; Sunpocket Sport Sunglasses, $65, available at Opening Ceremony.
Make Your Necessities Hands-Free (And High Impact!)—Water bottles that fold up all itty-bitty, cameras that come with straps to show-off... keep your Coachella experience compact and convenient by making sure your stuff stays out of the way!

Above, from left:
SFK Camera Straps, from $25, available at SFK; Kimchi Blue Floral Camera Pouch, $38, available at Urban Outfitters; Vapur Collabsible BPA-Free Water Bottles, $15.99 the set of 2, available at Target.

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Maximize—In a lightweight fabric and a flattering, off-the-body cut, maxi dresses and skirts can make you look boho glam. Plus, they're extra fun to dance in! Play off the length of a long skirt by pairing it with a bustier (and add statement jewelry for extra effect).
Above, from left: Free People Buttoned-Up Pleats Skirt, $293, available at Free People; Topshop Floral Print Maxi Dress, $145, available at Topshop; Forever 21 Tribal Maxi Skirt, $13.50, available at Forever 21.
Crop Top + High-Waisted Bottom = Easy Perfect Outfit—Bellybutton-phobes need not worry. A flowing skirt or a loose-fitting short pulled up high makes the perfect complement to a just-short-enough crop top.
Above, from left: Free People Crop Top, available at Free People; Mara Hoffman Embroidered Bustier Top, $260, available at Shopbop; BCBGeneration Cropped Boxy T-Shirt, $58, available at BCBG.
Go Flat Out—Choose a shoe that straps onto your foot so they won't fall off and get lost in a crowd. And, you cannot wear heels. Do not wear heels. No—don't even think about it!
Above, clockwise from left: Madewell Back Roads Bootie (on model and still life), $198, available at Madewell; Rebels Nikita Sandal, $44.50, available at Delia's; DV by Dolce Vita Beaded Sandals, $80.69, available at ASOS; Topshop Hoopa T-Bar Sandals, $36, available at Topshop.
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Flock Out—Coachella is a great time to take risks with your hair so why not show your true feathers and try this tress trend we've been loving.

Above, from left: FolkandFairy Tale Feather Clip In, $8, available at Etsy; Gilded Lily Feather Hair Clip, $65, available at Planet Blue; Gucci fall '11 image courtesy of Gucci; Cushnie et Ochs fall '11 images by Ryan Koopmans; Three Green Hearts Feather Hair Clip, $30, available at Swell.

Want more tips? Check out our Coachella dressing guide from last year! or peep Street Style pics from last year's festival.
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