Besides the awesome music and massive number of celebrity sightings, the Coachella Music Festival has increasingly been the go-to music event to catch the latest street-style fashion.

This year’s Coachella took place on the weekend of April 15, and there wasn’t a single fashion blog in sight that didn’t cover style tips and fashion coverage specific to the growing weekend festival. Most of us — including me — were in pain and longing to make it to Coachella, only to be bogged down by the looming weeks of finals and graduation. But this Friday’s MayFest is our chance to experience a small fraction of the pure essence of summer music: daytime partying, live music and, of course, impeccable street style.

My go-to piece for MayFest would definitely be cut-off shorts. Whether they are denim, leather or linen, shorts are the best piece of clothing for music concerts and daytime partying. Shorts are great for maneuvering through the streets and participating in a crowd surf. And the best thing is you don’t have to worry about flashing anyone when you’re lying on the Syracuse grass. They are also easy transition pieces from day to night, and if the weather’s a bit too cold for comfort, throw on a pair of sheer tights to maintain a warm but chic look.

For what to wear torso up is really up to each individual person. Neon tribal prints are in vogue this summer, as are sheer blouses and cropped tops. To stand out from the rest of the crowd, though, I suggest playing around with contrasting textures to whatever you decide to wear on the bottom.

If you’re wearing denim shorts, experiment with a loose chunky sweater or a silky white blouse tucked in the front — just enough to show off that cute neon skinny belt you have on underneath. Denim is mostly a structured and rough fabric, so pairing it with something loose and flowy will create a nice contrast.

If you’re wearing a sheer maxi skirt, experiment with crop tops to show a bit of midriff — if you’re going to hide away your bare legs with a long skirt, you might as well show a bit of skin elsewhere, just to get that perfect Californian concert vibe.

If you decide to go with a linen bottom, try a lacy top to channel in the subtle thinness and sheerness that linen and lace both provide. Add a leather belt to contrast the loose textures and give your outfit more edge.

Lastly, accessories are everything and often make your outfit a truly individualistic one. Flat platform espadrille sandals, also known as flatforms, have been seen both on the runway, such as Prada and Derek Lam, and in retail stores, such as H&M and Urban Outfitters. These sandals provide height without overarching your feet as wedges would. Have an easy walk through Block Party and get the extra few inches you need to watch Kid Cudi perform.

Bag-wise, anything over the shoulder and not overbearing would be perfect; just enough to put the essentials in. Tribal printed bags similar to the ones found in Pendleton Meets Opening Ceremony collections can add that extra umph to your outfit, especially if your look leans more toward a minimalist style.

Concert street style is all about fabrics and print. So whatever style you plan to channel this MayFest, don’t be afraid to stand out from the crowd.

Vicki Ho is a senior public relations major. Her column appears every Thursday, and she can be reached at vho@syr.edu.

 

Published on April 26, 2011 at 12:00 pm