Festival fashion features florals, flowing skirts and face paint

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Music festivals have become a global real-life fashion runway.

The Monterey International Pop Music Festival and Woodstock are just a few of the music festivals that have made lasting impressions on the generations that have followed. These music festivals took place during the changing times of the ’60s and early ’70s, which set the standard for what the experience of going to a music festival should be.

During a time of social revolution regarding racism and sexism in America, these festivals provided a vessel for young Americans to uniformly stand up for what they believe in. For them, festivals were not just about going to listen to music–they also symbolized freedom, equality and peace for the counterculture.

Today, it seems that our generation is more nostalgic and inspired by these music festivals than ever. They not only offer a couple of days of a mini vacation from everyday life, but they also continue to represent a virtue that young Americans have always aspired for: freedom.

For many people today, music festivals have become not only a fun way to go see favorite music artists, but also a way for people to show off their wardrobe. Each festival seems to have its own unique style, from Bonnaroo’s modern country vibe to the incorporation of the unique Austin style with South By Southwest and Austin City Limits. The Southern California festival Coachella, on the other hand, has consistently been known for its ‘60s inspired bohemian look.

As most of you may know, weekend one of Coachella took place April 12-15, and weekend two took place April 19-22. That means two weekends full of music, fun and, of course, fashion.

Original festival-goers showed their desire for freedom by expressing love and peace with flowing dresses and weaving daisy-chain jewelry. These days, it is a slightly different story, as Coachella fashionistas and fashionistos seemed to take a different approach.

There were, of course, the inevitable flower-child hair wreaths and armfuls of colored bracelets, but there was also a trend that leaned more towards a mix of ‘70s rocker and ‘90s pop rather than the usual hippie-chic look.

For the ladies, this includes graphic band tees, crop-tops, bathing suits, colored locks, leather, plaid, snap-back hats (love), sheer, dainty cardigans, a pair of cute sunnies and a lot of black ankle boots. Oh, and do not forget the abundance of eccentric temporary tattoos, face paint and body jewels.

For the guys, some notable looks include tropical prints, solid pastel shorts and pants, buttoned-up collared shirts, hats and even some jewelry such as chain necklaces and bracelets.

With everyone from native Californians to celebrities attending Coachella, this festival is definitely one of my favorites to look to for style inspiration. After all, as all of you fashionable Austinites know, what better way to show off your style than by listening to some of your favorite artists?