4 editors spill: how to nail festival fashion

Once upon a time, festival fashion in direct correlation to the music itself. At Woodstock, festival goers wore long, flowing tunics made to sway along to the sounds of Jimi Hendrix and The Grateful Dead. Now, with more musical diversity in lineups than ever, festival fashion has evolved. As our Associate Features Director Lisa Mischianti says, "Nobody said festival fashion has to be boho." No matter what bands, singer-songwriters, musicians, or rappers you're planning on seeing, you should add a little variety to your outfit. 

Nine West challenged four of our editors to style original outfits. Click through the gallery to see what they came up with and score some tips and tricks along the way.

Gabrielle Korn, Senior Digital EditorWhat musician has your favorite style of all time? Do you think you could pull off her look?Gwen Stefani, for sure. I think she might be the only one who could fully pull off her look, but a girl can sure try!  

When you go to a festival, what are the three things you need in your bag?

Sunscreen, water, and hand sanitizer. 

Do you have any tips for being comfortable while watching hours of music?

Comfortable shoes are everything! Also, snacks. There's nothing less comfortable than getting hungry in the middle of a show.

What bands are you hoping to catch this summer?

Trying to catch Waxahatchee and Jolie Holland this spring...For the summer, Interpol in July at Prospect Park, and other than that, I think I'll just be floating around to show as they come up.

Nine West Acomplise Lace-Up Booties, $119, available at Nine West. 

What is your ultimate festival styling tip?

Rather than trying to look festival-y, just wear something you LOVE that might be too much to wear to an everyday event. Everyone starts to look the same if you think of festival fashion as being something specific: The girls who look the best are the ones that stand out.

Lisa Mischianti, Associate Features DirectorWhat musician has your favorite style of all time? Do you think you could pull off her look?Probably Patti Smith. I'd love to live in a world where I could sport a pair of suspenders with such panache, à la Horses album cover... A girl can dream...

When you go to a festival, what are the three things you need in your bag?

A classic Bandana (which multitasks as a headscarf, handkerchief, spot to sit, etc.), a small film or instant camera (disposable, Lomography, Polariod, whatever—it's more fun than constantly whipping out your phone), and a snack (because I'm hungry. Always.).

Do you have any tips for being comfortable while watching hours of music?

Wear sneakers! (This actually doubles as an overall life tip.)

What bands are you hoping to catch this summer?

Sleater-Kinney, FKA Twigs, Marina & the Diamonds, and MØ (whom I actually interviewed for our music issue's new bands feature in 2013. We Skyped. She was awesome.).

Nine West Telly Round-Toed Sneakers, $89, available at Nine West. 

What is your ultimate festival styling tip?

Nobody said festival fashion

has

to be boho. Go ahead and rethink it.

Marissa Smith, Associate Market EditorWhat musician has your favorite style of all time? Do you think you could pull off her look?Gwen Stefani circa the 90s is really my go to inspiration at all times. Think the bun pig tails (she did it first, Miley) and the athletic wear and sneakers. I try and pull it off, the buns can be a bit much sometimes, but theres a right occasion for everything!

When you go to a festival, what are the three things you need in your bag?Mophie phone charger, Chapstick, Gum!

Do you have any tips for being comfortable while watching hours of music?FLATS, hence why I chose the espadrilles, sneakers and flats so your feet don't hurt from standing! Also stay hydrated!

What bands are you hoping to catch this summer?Would love to see Iggy Azalea in the spring, Kanye is always my favorite, I'm hoping he goes on tour soon—Drake...basically any rapper?

Nine West Oranges Slip-On Sneakers, $89, available at Nine West. 

What is your ultimate festival styling tip?

Layers! Sometimes it gets cold at night, it's good to have a button down shirt that you can wear around your waist during the day and then wear on at night!

Michelle Lee, Editor-In-ChiefWhat musician has your favorite style of all time? Do you think you could pull off her look?I am a massive fan of Sky Ferreira's style. She somehow expertly mixes '90s grunge with pretty fashion looks. I don't think anyone can pull off Sky's look the way she does though. It's her hair, that face, everything. 

When you go to a festival, what are the three things you need in your bag?Water, phone, snacks!

Do you have any tips for being comfortable while watching hours of music?Wear something with a loose waistband, haha. If you're going to be eating and drinking and sitting on the ground or whatever, you have to be ready for anything. Be comfortable. 

What bands are you hoping to catch this summer?Marina, of course. Drake. And I'd love to see Grimes when she's out with Lana this summer. 

Nine West Big Easy Open-Toed Wedge, $89, available at Nine West. 

What is your ultimate festival styling tip?

Check the weather. There's nothing worse than being way overdressed on a scorching hot day or freezing by the end of the night. And for summer festival time, the most important thing to wear: sunscreen!