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Festwear

Beth Ann

Veteran

Choosing what to wear to all-day outdoor "festival" events has always been a challenge. Shoes need to handle uneven terrain, and sometimes mud. Clothes need to not show dust or sweat, while still avoiding the "cleaning the garage" look. Fortunately, I had cooler weather for recent outings, which made it far easier!

1. Renaissance Festival: In the 60's in the last week of July? Astounding! There had been rain the night before, so I went for the BFs, a bright anorak (my kids can see me in a crowd), a hat for the sun and.....my new cheetah Crocs. I have always avoided Crocs, but in this case, they were safe from mud, and comfy enough to handle the walking and standing. I do wish the anorak was a little roomier -- I'm moving to roomier fits overall.

2. Ravinia Festival ---- The Chicago Symphony's outdoor performance venue. I rode my bike 32 miles from home to Ravinia (through Forest Preserves and 1 mile from a Saks and Anthropologie). Heard a magnificent concert version of Aida. My denim jacket and gladiator flats are getting a workout! (Hubby drove down with kids, change of clothes and picnic cooler!).

3. Ravinia, part 2: Tchaikovsky this time, and no bike ride. This is my Walmart dress, which is simple and very durable. My crossbody is my festival go-to bag.

What tactics do you use for these kind of occasions? Any suggestions for what I might try?

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17 replies

Latest reply was from Beth Ann

Diana

Veteran

I like your festival outfits, and I am super impressed you biked 32 miles!!!!

I have a similar conundrum with my "Tanglewood capsule" that I think I mentioned a while ago. (Tanglewood is like the BSO version of Ravinia, I think). It requires clothing that you can sit on the grass in (so, no short skirts or white pants or things like that), shoes for walking around outside, layers (because it can get quite cold at night but is still warm in the daytime. It's in the mountains), and some mosquito protection (again, not too much bare skin, although I am a mosquito magnet so they even seem to manage to bite me through jeans).

Anyway, my Tanglewood standbys this summer have been: my Converse Hi-Nesses, ripped up jeans (one cropped, one long), olive linen pants, handknit lace hoodie, the Hinge bomber, and my packable lightweight trench. I usually also bring a big bag (either my fabric sling bag, or my Longchamps tote) and a big cotton scarf. I also like maxi dresses/skirts (easy to sit on the ground in and provides some mosquito protection.) Unfortunately I don't have photos of my Tanglewood outfits because I don't have a photo spot at the house there!

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

You look very stylish in all of these. Can't believe those are Crocs in 1. Animal print, BF jeans, and hat all make it so much more than a simply comfy outfit.
I love the long skirt look on you! Wow. So elegant and pretty. And the last one is chic and elegant, too. Great use of the jean jacket, Beth Ann! Not to mention the fab sandals and bag. You have such a great sense of style.

Beth Ann

Veteran

Diana: Your Tanglewood capsule sounds perfect! I don't think I've seen the lace bomber.

I've never noticed mosquitoes at Ravinia -- maybe they don't like symphonic music --- all those strings, you know. I've not been to Tanglewood, although I would love to someday!

Thanks, Firecracker. You'd be amazed at the variety in the Crocs line these days --- the insole is kind of soft, stubbly rubber, which kind of massages you feet. Not a lot of support to the arch, but quite cushiony. Mine have a cut out toward the back that allows air circulation, too, although they're not a slingback.

Diana

Veteran

Hee. I wish the Tanglewood mosquitoes were afraid of strings. Actually, they're less bad there than they are everywhere else in the Berkshires (including on the deck at my in-laws' house). I think they have a decent mosquito eradication program on the Tanglewood grounds. But if there is a single one in the area you can bet it's going to come and snack on me!

Here are my lace hoodie and the silky bomber. (I don't have a lace bomber but I wish I did!).

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pil

Veteran

You look awesome in all of these, Beth Ann. Whodathunk those are Crocs? Love the skirt on you and your Walmart dress outfit is fab. And 32 miles on your bike? You are a machine, woman!
I looked up the Tchaikovsky program - that violin concerto is one of my all time favorites, and you just can't go wrong with the 1812 Overture! Oh, I just saw that Itzhak Perlman performed last night.

Beth Ann

Veteran

Thanks for showing your jackets, Diana! The open weave of the hoodie is perfect for a Summer evening and the bomber is a glorious shade of blue.

Pil: Ravinia is one of my favorite Summer must-do events. Verdi's Aida was 3 1/2 hours long, but my children were content for the whole time. Yes, they read some and strolled the grounds a bit. I went up to stand beside the Pavilion to see the Soprano sing her big arias. It's a very relaxed way to do music!

Lisa

Veteran

You excel at dressing for outdoor events. I always start with footwear and work my way up. When outside all day, feet must be comfortable. And I must have a layer because I am guaranteed to get cold at some point during the day.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Wow, those are Crocs in #1? You are Rae are between the two of you persuading me that Crocs are well worth a look. Such a fun and fashionable outfit. You know I am going to approve of the colours!

I love every one of these and I am really impressed thatyour biked that distance. Way to go!

The concert series sounds wonderful. For similar events, I tend to wear similar types of outfit. Layers, longer skirts or pants vs. shorts (for bug protection), denim or other casual jackets for layering.

Beth Ann

Veteran

Lisa, you are so right that you have to dress for the events from the feet up!

Suz: Crocs come in lots of different shapes these days --- this ballet flat style is a little wide, so if you try them, size down!

Day Vies

Veteran

Beth Ann you are a gladiator! 32 miles on a bike -- but that is the way to get in and out of Ravinia w/o the hassle. It's a beautiful venue and well worth the ride.

I love #1 -- signature purple wakes up white tee and jeans. The cherry on top are the shoes. THOSE are crocs? WOW nice.
#2 is comfy and chic I love the stripes with something organic like denim. The sandals are SO cute -- lovely.
#3 you can't ever go wrong with a black dress & fitted denim jacket. I really love the sandals they make such an interesting pattern. The cross body is nice too I like the bronze color against the denim and black

The last time I went to Ravinia I wore a black dress (above the knee) and a huge teal lightweight scarf wrapped around my neck. It was an average summer day and oddly the scarf wasn't uncomfortable. It worked out well because indoors and on the metra the a/c was on blast. That's a long way of suggesting more color (please).

Adelfa

Veteran

You look terrific in all three outfits! I wish I had an anorak that color! The maxi skirt outfit is sublime, I love how the shoes, skirt, top and jacket all play off each other. I also love how you pose for your pics!

I think when I attend outdoor Shakespeare I'm much more concerned about the elements than style--haven't gone since ylf though. So it's always been jeans, a tee, a sweater, closed shoes, and a seriously gear-ish rain jacket. All ready for a summer night in Oregon!

jayne

Veteran

You mean it is possible to be outdoorsy and chic at the same time!? fab BethAnn!

Lantana

Veteran

Beth Ann, you have festival dressing nailed. I think I've said this before but it bears repeating: your dramatic features turn simple casual pieces into a stylish whole.

ManidipaM

Veteran

Wow! I don't know what is more 'wow' though, the Crocs, the maxi skirt look, the cycling feat, the casual LBD or your clear enjoyment of these fests

May I say I feel a bit validated by your Crocs? My Primas are not quite so pretty, being a dark taupe, but they are one thing I disagree with other YLFers over---couldn't do without them!

And love your anorak too.

Deborah

Veteran

I really do not enjoy dressing for these kind of events so I'm taking notes. Fab outfits each and every one. You have mastered practical and stylish.

Jjsloane

Veteran

I like all three outfits and they seem perfectly appropriate for the events without resorting to gear. Exactly how I would want to dress for similar (our Renaissance Festival is in fall and we have Wolftrap here)

Beth Ann

Veteran

Thanks for feedback! If I'm lucky I'll get to Ravinia one more time later this week!

DV --- You're right about color. I have been trying out more neutral outfits from time to time, just to prove myself that I can do it well. On that day, I was at Ravinia with several other women who are far more subdued and casual in their style, and they're often saying, "Why are you so dressed up?" At heart, I'm still a high contrast color girl.