What to Wear and How to Do Your Makeup for a Fall Music Festival
While crop tops and bralettes may be retired until the next Coachella, it's not like anyone's wearing sweatshirts to a music festival.
Music festivals are generally a time to show a little skin in edgier, bolder looks than you'd wear to school or work. What you wear should embrace the feeling of a festival, which is a carefree, happy-go-lucky vibe.
I attended HARD Day of the Dead at L.A. Historic State Park in Downtown Los Angeles over the weekend, and it hadn't been since August's Outside Lands that I'd been to a music festival. I had a lot to consider, given that this festival was DOTD-themed and in the thick of fall. Whatever I chose to wear or how I did my makeup would certainly differ from that of Outside Lands. Also, this was an electronic music festival, so looks were not expected to be as laidback.
I decided to go with a pair of black denim cutoff shorts, and a printed shawl that gave off major fall vibes. I originally planned to wear a long, flowy, hippie-esque dress, but my coworker rightfully convinced me that we're going to a music festival, not brunch. After a good chuckle, we agreed the second outfit looked so much more fitting for the day. I threw a headband with gold embellishments on my head and called it a day.
The makeup was a much smoother process, and boy did I have fun with it. Jafra cosmetics recently launched a limited edition Galaxia collection, but I hadn't dived in just yet because the colors are perfect for fall. I figured this would be the best opportunity to put the products to work. I did a smokey eye, using their purple, burgundy and dark blue hues. I topped off the eyes using a swipe of their vibrant copper liquid eyeliner in Celestial Bronze. Then I added some white and silver sparkles from Today Glitter, which totally completed the eye look.
Lastly, I needed my lips to rock a dark vibe, so I went with Pop Beauty's matte velvet lipstick in Blackberry Burst, topped with the brand's matte lip paint in Berry Boost. Pop Beauty's shades stay on forever, so I knew I'd be set for the day.
View this post on Instagramput together a fall music festival look for @sweetyhigh @hardfest ????????????
Just to be sure I was on the right page, I enlisted the expertise of Chaser Brand's VP of design, Megan Baca, and makeup artist Diane Avilez. Keep reading for what to wear and how to do your makeup for a fall music festival!
What to Wear
Sweety High: What are your biggest DOs and DON'Ts when it comes to dressing for a fall music festival?
Megan Baca: My biggest don't is don't go too literal—don't try to embody Stevie Nicks. There's no good way to do it without it looking like a costume. My main do is to follow your instincts and make sure you're comfortable. Incorporate some boho and hippie details, but stay true to your personal style to feel good all day long, as festival days can be hot and long and filled with dancing, standing and sitting. You want to wear something that makes the day fun and easy!
SH: What are the biggest trends at the moment that are easiest to incorporate into a fall music festival look?
MB: Right now the '90s are still important, so going after a grunge look can be a fun and fresh approach to festival style. Try a baby tee, and a bigger silhouette on the bottom for a pixie look.
SH: What types of shoes would pass as both trendy and appropriate for this festival?
MB: Sticking with the '90s approach, Doc Martens are a fun and easy way to look stylish but be ready for the grass standing and dancing during the festival days and nights.
SH: What are a few Chaser pieces, in particular, that would be a perfect fit?
MB: We have some fun rib baby tees and tanks (style No. CW7839 and CW7842) that can be paired with either a flirty tiered miniskirt or oversized wide-leg pants. We also have some fun ditzy florals in cropped bodies in (style No. CW7878) Vintage Jersey.
SH: Anything else you want to add about fall style?
MB: Fall style for Chaser is about incorporating freshness while staying true to our core signature style. We have lots of classic stripes on offer for fall, fresh cropped silhouettes, and, as always, a great eclectic assortment of graphic tees to pair with anything and everything!
How to Do Your Makeup
Sweety High: What are your biggest DOs and DON'Ts when it comes to makeup for a fall music festival?
Diane Avilez: Dos for sure are express yourself, show off your freckles or create deep eyes with some colorful liner. Don't hold back, and try something new like colorful mascara. The beauty of makeup is it's whatever you decide it is for you.
SH: How does fall festival makeup differ from that of other seasons?
DA: Fall festival makeup consists of many deep reds, plums, gold and, of course, you can't forget the glitters, shimmer and sparkles.
SH: How does fall festival makeup differ from festivals taking place earlier in the year?
DA: With fall festival makeup, I feel like you want to be a little bit more dramatic if that's your thing, or more shimmery and sparkly, or have some kind of expression of your individuality through makeup.
If music festivals are your thing, click HERE to find out which one's perfect for you, based on your zodiac sign!