Fringe movement
The fringe is coming — and lots of it. So are the maxi dresses, mini shorts, the ombre, the body art and the headscarves. It's about to collide in this spring's imminent parade of epic music festivals — kicked off most notably by Coachella.
But as history has shown, dressing the part (and make no mistake: dressing is a thing at any festival) isn't always as easy as throwing on a boho shawl and calling it a day. It's about walking the line between being comfy and chic, between adding a dash of style and trying way too hard. Here are a few tips on hitting the right notes:
Focus on one ultra-cool element:
Choose one feature and highlight it, don't try to spotlight everything. A cowboy hat, embroidered denim jacket, short shorts, ripped tights, gladiator sandals, fairy blouses and beatnik shades is just overkill. Pick one or two of the above, and mix it in with your favorite everyday basics.
Strategize your accessories:
When you'll be somewhere both day and night (but especially in the desert), coverups become key. So pack your most versatile, statement-making coat, sweater and scarf. You won't want most of them in the hot midday sun, but grabbing them after dinnertime will feel like nirvana. (And that tie-dye scarf, by the way, looks just as great around your waist or around your head in the afternoon as it does around your neck, keeping you toasty in the evening.)
The perfect kicks save every day:
Festivals give your feet a beating.
You're standing or walking almost the entire day, and it's almost always in the desert, the woods, the mud or the grass. This is no time for Manolos or flipflops (you need comfort and protection, in that order) but that doesn't mean that Wellies are your only option, either.
Go for ankle boots and sturdy mules and the Desert Boot and Amara Mules ($130 and $160, respectively, at clarksusa.com) are two such slam dunks.
When in doubt, just add fringe:
It's easy to wear, hits a perfect easygoing boho vibe and transforms even the most basic look into something with a little attitude. And best of all, it was all over the spring runway collections. So it shouldn't be hard to find.