10 Music Festival Fashion Trends That Need to Die

By: Charles Manning

1. Underwear as clothing: Bustiers are one thing. Bras peeking out of loose tops and sheer T-shirts are fine — great, even. But wearing a straight-up bra-and-panty set out in the world like it’s clothing is just too much. And no, wearing two bras on top of each other does not make it better. Two bras do not make a right.

Instead: Wear a swimsuit and some shorts. If you get dirt on your butt, it won’t look like you had an accident on the way to the porta-potty. (On the right: Floral Bikini Top, AERIE, $35; Burgundy Denim Shorts, AMERICAN EAGLE OUTFITTERS, $40.) Photo: Getty

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2. Bindis and various other cultural and religious appropriations: Culturally insensitive is not a good look.

Instead: Put those little crystals under your eyes, rather than in between them. The makeup look at the fall 2015 Rodarte runway show at New York Fashion Week featured Swarovski crystals glued just under the lash line of the bottom eyelid. The effect was beautiful, fresh, and not remotely offensive. Photo: Getty ImaxTree Rodarte Fall 2015

3. Giant plastic flower crowns: Flower crowns are a personal choice every woman has to make for herself, but those big plastic ones are not doing anyone any favors. Not only do they look cheap, they are also really bad for the environment. For one thing, they’re usually made of plastic, the production of which contributes to greenhouse gases in our atmosphere. Then there are all the fossil fuels required to ship them halfway around the world to whatever dollar store they are being sold in. Then, on top of all of that, more often than not, they get thrown away after a couple of wears and end up in landfills where they will literally never decompose.

Instead: Put some real flowers in your hair. Pick your own flowers, leaves, and grasses, and create something local and natural. The overall look will be more romantic, and when you are done with the flowers, you can just throw them on the ground, where they will decompose within a few days. Photo: Getty + iStock

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4. Temporary tattoos: Particularly the metallic kind. They were so huge last summer that now they just feel played out.

Instead: Septum cuffs are the new flash tats. They may not be as universal as temporary tattoos, but at least you’ll never see your mom with one. And the best part is that if and when you get tired of wearing it in your nose, it easily doubles as an ear cuff. After a quick Purell rub-down, of course. (On the right: Septum Cuff, NASTY GAL, $18.) Photo: Getty + Nasty Gal

5. Bandanas over your face: What started out as a way for punk rockers to avoid literally eating dirt when moshing at outdoor shows has been co-opted to be a fashion statement.

Instead: Just wear a bandana around your neck. Bandanas are a great way to dress up the neckline of your outfit without adding a bunch of heavy jewelry. If the wind kicks up, you can always pull it up over your nose and mouth. Photo: Getty Imax + Tree Coach

6. Anything skintight, shiny, and small: aka the trifecta of trash.

Instead: Limit yourself to wearing just one or two of these elements at a time. You can still be dazzling and sexy without looking like you DIYed yourself a onesie out of a large, silver water balloon. (On the right: Gold Sunglasses, RAY-BAN (Available at Sunglass Hut), $160; Olive Cropped Shirt, ABERCROMBIE & FITCH, $12; Silver Sequin Skirt, TOPSHOP, $96; Brown Leather Fringe Tassel Bag REBECCA MINKOFF (Available at Saks Fifth Avenue), $395; White Moccasins, MINNETONKA, $47.) Photo: Getty

7. Tutus: No. No!

Instead: Just wear a normal skirt. It can still be short and colorful and fun without being pixie ballerina fetishwear. (On the right: Blue Leather Miniskirt, MISSY SKINS (Available at Nasty Gal), $198.) Photo: Getty + Nasty Gal

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8. Going barefoot: If you want a gnarly infection so badly, why not just cut open your foot and stick it in some road kill?

Instead: Go with a fringe bootie. You’ll still be rocking that music festival look but your feet will be protected from the unhygienic everything that’s sure to be littering the ground at any major music festival. (On the right: Fringe Booties, SAM EDELMAN (Available at Urban Outfitters), $130.) Photo: Getty

9. Sky-high flatforms: Not a good footwear choice when you’re walking around outside on uneven ground, fighting for position in the crowd, and probably at least a little drunk. You don’t want to break your ankles.

Instead: Just wear sneakers. They won’t give you the same height advantage as flatforms, but you also won’t have as far to fall when you stumble. (On the right: Silver Sneaker, SUPERGA (Available at All Sole), $75; Blue High-Top Sneaker MISSONI X CONVERSE (Available at Nasty Gal), $100; Floral Sneaker, ADIDAS, $80.) Photo: Getty

10. Fur boots: This trend used to be limited to ravers, but nowadays there are as many people sporting neon faux fur boots during Lorde’s set at Coachella as there are when Tiesto plays the main stage at Ultra.

Instead: How about roller skates? Because at this point the whole fur-boot thing is so tired that almost anything would be better. Sure, you won’t be able to get around easily, but at least you’ll be original. (On the right: Leopard Roller Skates, MOXIE JUNGLE (Available at Urban Outfitters), $135.) Photo: Getty

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