What are you going to wear? Sometimes it’s good to look at a few suggestions then add your own tweaks and ideas. That’s what these are for. With Coachella in the books and Sasquatch!, Bonnaroo, and other music festivals fast approaching, we turned to style contributor & festival fan Christian to provide the following style scenario. If you’re attending one, be prepared to deal with the sun & heat. You’ll develop a whole new appreciation for water too. Keep the clothing light and simple.
The Shirt: Uniqlo x Michael Bastian Polo – $22.90 – A great looking, lightweight shirt that works well in the summer weather. Your shirt not weighing you down is going to be essential, but your shoulders will also be protected from the sun burn. Don’t forget the sunblock though, and if you burn easily (or, even if you don’t) don’t forget your chest where that Johnny-Collar opens up. Otherwise, if you’re pale, you’ll have a nice, stinging, sore triangle on your sternum.
The Dome Piece: Goorin Bros Straw Fedora – $50.00 – You could of course go with a standard baseball cap, but you can add that extra bit of “Hey… I have the Sexy” to your outfit with a nice looking straw fedora (that, and your ears will get a bit of protection too). Bill on this hat is large enough to shield your eyes from the sun and the style is simple enough that even those who don’t like fedoras can probably pull it off.
The Shorts: J.Crew Factory 7″ Rivington Short – $29.75 w/ SALE30 – I like shorts. REAL shorts. Not those strange cargo shorts that hover 5 inches above your ankles. Those are just short pants. I like my shorts to hit the thigh and no more. Ventilate that which testiculates and bless the other festival goers with with your beautiful thighs. Several colors and lots of sizes available.
The Hydrator: Camelbak -$36.99 – Pick up a Camelbak and avoid all of the hassle of holding bottles. Highly recommended. Not a very heavy item to wear even when filled up and though it may not be #menswear cool, dehydration isn’t either.
The Oil Reducer: Murad Oil Control Mattifier – $26.00. – During the heat, my forehead gets so greased up that you’d think it was the oil rig’s stunt double in There Will Be Blood. See Joe’s previous post and review on the Mattifier. There are less expensive versions out there, but this one goes on easy, soaks up quick, and lasts long.
The Shoes: Naturally with lava weather like this, you’re going to think that it’s a good idea to wear sandals or rivieras . However, with thousands and thousands of people standing in close proximity to you and dancing to Pharell’s Happy, your feet will more than likely get stomped to bits, or burned to blisters by the sun. Got two suggestions to select from, both with their own reasons:
- Nike Free Run 5.0 EXT – $84.99
: So you’re going to want a little bit of protection along with a light and airy shoe and something that you won’t mind getting dirty. I have personal experience with Free Runners and these were the first things that came to mind. Wind blowing through these things like they aint even there. Lighter than tissues and comfortable as hell. You’ll be standing for hours and these will definitely help. Only downside is that these won’t really go with your outfit at all, but if you’re going with this idea then you’re more concerned about comfort and not style.
- Sperry Top Siders – $50-$100
: These actually have some style. Sturdier and most (not all) find boat shoes to be comfortable. Sperry’s were practically made for this season. And, umm… docks & boats and stuff. They don’t breathe nearly as much as the Free Runners and could have your feet feeling hotter than desired. Of course, you can also throw some Dr. Scholl’s in there.
The Watch: Timex Weekender – $28.94 – Primarily to keep your phone from dying. Gotta know when your next shows going to be right? Don’t need anything fancy. Something cheap and durable will do the trick just fine.
Not my look on the shorts, hat, or shoes, but I understand the need for a more functional shoe in this scenario. Thanks for a different insight though.
1) Why not just wear the concert classic- Chucks?
2) That white polo will get destroyed quickly. I’d go with a short or long sleeve fitted/slim linen or linen blend shirt.
Oooh boy. On the Chucks, for whatever reason, I can’t wear chucks for more than a couple hours without my back and knees starting to ache. For whatever reason, PF Flyers or Keds work better for me when it comes to sneakers. You throw insoles in them or something?
I gotta give Christian Credit for going with the functionality of the Nikes (for the alternative in this one)
I have the same problem with Chucks and with the Sperry Originals pictured. Couldn’t get myself to go Nike Free, so opted for a chunkier-soled, more supportive boat shoe:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000EP8BIE/ref=wms_ohs_product?ie=UTF8&psc=1
While not “affordable” at first glance. I’d recommend a merino wool polo from Ibex, Idebreaker or other maker. Doesn’t absorb odors. And it looks good. Definitely not cheap, but worth the investment IMO. Something like this:
http://www.amazon.com/Icebreaker-Mens-Quattro-Short-Sleeve/dp/B00G28OHR6
Nike Frees are perfect. But anyone would sweat like a pig in a cotton polo. Go for polyester workout shirt, chambray, or seersucker. I don’t care how I look at a festival. Just want to be comfortable.
Now that we’ve covered Friday. What about the rest of the weekend?
Also the Uniqlo Polos are 2 for $29.90, inlcuding the MB collection.
Re: Hydration…A few years back I was at Pitchfork in Chicago watching Liars play (who are hilarious in a live setting surprisingly enough). This is the middle of July in Chicago mind you, and I think the organizers were making all the bands remind people to stay hydrated. The guitarist says: “remember guys, I know you want to look cool, but it’s more important to BE cool.”
Have you tried jack purcell? there is some variation in models as they’ve snuck in a new, lower quality material version, but i find them more comfy than chucks.
Good pick. I’ve got the Sperry Makos which are definitely more comfortable/better supporting than a standard boat shoe. IMO, they look better with jeans and maybe look a little too chunky with shorts.
My style aspiration when I’m wearing shorts is “don’t look like you’ve given up,” so they’re good enough for me. But you’re right that they probably don’t meet any standard higher than that.
Personally, looks great, but I completely disagree.
If I’m going to an outdoor all day concert, and I know it’s gonna be humid and hot and sunny all day long… No WAY i’m gonna wear cotton anything. Technical wear stuff all the way. Cool vented and sweat/rain wicking. Plenty of pockets too. If you happen to go to a show where there is a little mud or some hilly landscape or on an incline, those boat shoes are gonna slide. Or if the crowd gets tight, stomping on your toes. Or if you get super pumped and decide to have your friends pick you up for some crowdsurfing…good luck finding those shoes… I know I know we would all love to look fashionably functional at these outdoor events, but for me, it’s all about the music and experience. And if it’s an all day event, being as comfortable as possible. ps – don’t forget the sunblock!
I can absolutely see that. In that case, I’d say just go with your favorite pair of Chuck-like shoes or plimsolls. My problem with the combination of polo+boat shoes screams Bro’ to me. Then again, I live in DC, so I’m a bit sensitive to that combination as the “DC Bro” uniform.
Was Goorin brothers chosen because they make quality hats? Been looking for some good summer hat options.
I will wear my jack purcells if I’m going to an outdoor show (2 or 3 performers), but not to a festival where I’ll be standing/walking all day. They just don’t cut it. Nike Free’s all the way. They are comfortable, breathable, and they are super easy to clean up. I’ve danced in mud up to my ankle in them and just threw them in the washer and they came out spotless.
Wow, that is an unbelievably expensive polo. Concept sounds cool, just hard to spend >$100 on a polo.
For someone who thought sperry’s would get more comfortable as they aged, I have to say I think Sperry’s are not very comfortable. Especially the ones posted, although the bigger chunkier Sperry’s are apparently much more comfortable. They have almost no cushioning inside them so I am opting to buy these from Cole Haan. Must better quality in my experience and definitely more cushioning and comfort on the inside. Great leather and so soft.
http://www.colehaan.com/dominck-boat-shoe-papaya/C12547.html?dwvar_C12547_color=Papaya
Skeptically bought that Murad mattifier a few months ago, and I gotta chalk that up to a Dappered win. It actually works for me and I barely need to use a pea-sized drop, so this stuff should last a really, really long time.
Don’t think I would ever wear a fedora, but I’m a fan of the rest of this list.
I’ve owned the same pair of sperrys for years. Wore them all through college and still throw them on for quick trips around town. Not a ton of support though, so I’d go with the nikes for a festival
Also, I own those j crew shorts in the british khaki color. Inseam definitely feels shorter than 7″, but I’m not complaining. Hate baggy shorts
Goorin does, indeed, make good hats. Now, the best panamas come from Panama Bob (http://panamas.biz/), but the prices are not cheap, and the hats are more traditional — if you’re not a fedora guy, you’re probably not going to wear one of these.
Whats the strap on the Timex?
Wow, one of the rare times I immediately dislike an outfit presented here. Could just be the fact that I’m anti-fedora. Or that while Red, White, and Blue are a great combination for a flag I think they rarely look good on a person. I do like the shoes and the watch though. I always have 2 pairs of Sperry’s – 1 beater pair that I keep next to the seat in my jeep. 1 nice pair (currently from their Gold Cup series: pricy but incredibly comfortable).
“The Dome Piece” is exactly why I love Christian’s articles.
JPs used to be my go to, but then I started wearing the PF Flyers lo tops, and then ended up in a pair of Keds after that. Jack Purcells were always more comfortable than Chucks for me, so yep, totally agreed there.
in that case, i think you need to embrace your inner #normcore and rock these
An uber-casual spin on the double monk? Ha, if they made these in canvas or with mesh “cut-outs”, they’d be perfect. That faux-leather just doesn’t look too breathable. Could make for some pretty stinky feet.
The only thing I’m unsure on is the shirt. I totally have to agree with a Camelbak, and the Nikes as an option. Given that, I think the polo is out of place. I’d either go with a lightweight, plain v-neck T or a linen button-down, preferably with a band collar. The polo just seems like the awkward middle brother here, and the Camelbak is going to ruin that experience. For whatever reason, picturing a linen button-down with the Camelbak just works. Plus, you have more control on how many buttons should come undone. Either way, the linen will be much breezier, and you might even be comfortable with the sleeves unrolled to protect from the sun.
It’s a standard NATO nylon strap. The watch comes with it.
You can find a snuggie and BC powder at your local CVS, Walgreens, etc.
Not really a fan of this look, either, but IMHO it’s miles ahead of SG’s Coachella look. I just can’t get behind sleeveless tanks and the whole college freshman BRO look she’s recommending.
http://www.stylegirlfriend.com/coachella-what-to-wear-3-day-music-festival/
Yeah seriously. Maybe we go to different kinds of festivals but not only would I look way out of place in this outfit, it’d get ruined.
Why a band over a traditional collar?
I can’t unsee that. I get that she’s breaking her rules and all, but seriously there’s not much in the way of winners in that whole post. It pains me to be in any way critical of SG, however.
Yeah, but you can wear it several days in a row. It is great for travel. But it is steep.
The look of a traditional collar is a lot more formal. This takes the “serious” down a notch.
Like the outfit. Wouldn’t work at Glastonbury though.
…plus the camelbak screams Dork surely
It’s rare for me to say this after reading a Dappered post, but I can honestly say I would not wear a single piece in this outfit. Just not my style at all. More power to the poster, though. Still, the polo seems a bit out of place for a concert to me. (I also personally don’t wear navy or boat shoes, but I know I’m in the extreme minority around Dappered in that.) But then again, maybe I listen to different music than others around here, too.
I’d swap out the polo for a shirt that buttons all the way down, just to keep cool(er). Also, comfortable shoes are a must whether those are boat shoes or something else. This would be a fine looking outfit, but of course depends on the music fest: DMB and the like? Fine. Ozzfest? You might get punched in the face.
If you attend Coachella I can see the boat shoes working just fine for the day. If you attend Lollapalooza you better rethink that particular shoe wear.
A fedora? It’s 2014.