How to Wow at Outdoor Summer Events

It’s time to look forward to fun in the sun! If you’re going to an outdoor event this summer, such as an art fair or a concert, you will first and foremost want to be cool and comfortable.  You might also want to look awesome!  So I am starting with a handy checklist of what you’ll need for comfort at outdoor summer events. Following that, I have lots of outfit ideas to share with you.

This post has been updated. I strive to give you the highest quality information you need to always have clothing choices that will make you look your best.

To look your best, my best tip is:  be your true self.  Choose your favorite style.  Age doesn’t matter; your personality does, because it doesn’t age!

So Let’s See What It Takes to Wow at Outdoor Summer Events

You may want to start by choosing some comfortable shoes and then working up from there.  Or, start with anything denim because it’s rugged and yet comfortable.

Choose one statement piece that fits in with the festival you will be attending, and add it to your favorite style.  If you like jeans and a tee, or shorts or skirts, wear what you love and add that one special piece.

A Handy Checklist

1. GO HANDS FREE.  A cross-body bag or backpack will allow you to use your hands for hugging, eating, drinking and dancing.
2. STICK WITH FLATS.  Flat booties, sneakers or clogs will keep your feet protected from dirt and from getting stomped on in a crowd.  Wedges will work as well.  Closed-toe shoes are safer than sandals.
3. LAYER UP.  To be prepared for weather fluctuations, tie on a thin flannel or a lightweight chambray shirt — and bring a  summer-weight scarf.  It can go from head-tie to evening wrap in two seconds flat.
4. STAY SHADED.  To protect yourself from the sun, wear a snap-back or wide-brimmed fedora and a big pair of sunglasses.
5. STAND OUT IN THE CROWD.  Bright pieces look good with a tan and your friends will be able to find you easily.
6. BRING A BLANKET TO SIT ON.  A Mexican blanket works well at an outdoor concert.

As an alternative to bright colors, light colors reflect the sun and will keep you cooler.  Style consultant Tina Adams recommends wearing light colors to a summer concert.  She shows you how to put them together on her blog post “What to Wear to a Summer Concert.”  She recommends packing a stain stick, especially when wearing white.

On the other hand, if you love Goth style, black works too.  Try a black maxi, kimono and ankle boots.

If you have a fringed vest, it can take an all-black outfit to a whole new level, blending Goth with Boho.  Pile on the vintage jewelry, too.  Or add anything with fringe to your everyday outfit.

An outdoor concert is an event where you can be your unapologetically sexy, wild and free self.  Hot summer weather allows for less clothing in sheer and lacy materials.

Bohemian fashion is known for its wild and carefree nature.  If that sounds like you, wearing pieces rooted in hippie, gypsy or bohemian style will give you a perfect festival look.  That includes something fringed or tattoos, permanent or temporary.  Express yourself with affordable accessories.  A pair of jeans and a white tunic shirt transform instantly when you add bohemian pieces such as a brown fringed bag, ethnic embroidered scarf, layered necklaces, stacked bracelets, gladiator sandals, etc.

A kimono is a great transformational piece as well.  Just add one to a t-shirt and jeans or shorts or maxi-skirt or maxi-dress.

Western style is good for outdoor settings.  Add Western-style cowboy boots and a hat and you’re set.

Turquoise jewelry fits right in with the Western/Boho mood.  In fact, it goes with everything.

If you have a stunning statement piece, like a statement necklace or glittering top or bottoms, you don’t really have to worry about what to wear.  Just throw on something basic and let your statement piece shine.

Other festival wear includes:  caftans, sun-dresses, peasant blouses, flared jeans or pants, any jeans or shorts, tie-dye, leopard-print, sequins, jean jackets, backpacks, belt bags, statement sunglasses and of course authentic band tees (which can be found in thrift stores.)

Outfit Ideas for an Outdoor Summer Event

• A fringed vest + jeans and a tee.
• A mesh top over a camisole + cropped jeans. Add a studded belt + booties.
• Top a graphic tee and ripped jeans with a long riveted, studded, or embroidered cardigan. Or decorate the cardi with lots of pins/brooches. Add ankle boots.
• A tank or tee + a maxi skirt + ankle boots.  Add a straw hat.  Even if it’s a drawstring skirt, add a western belt.  You may want to loop the end under if it’s too long.  Add rings.
• A thin graphic tee tied in a knot in front + harem pants or joggers.  Add flat sandals.

• A tank top or loose-fit tee tucked into harem pants.  Add a necklace + sandals, moccasins or motorcycle boots.  Then go crazy:  try adding a straw hat or wideband, a backpack, a flowing or open-knit cardigan, a pendant, bangles, wrap bracelet, a cuff, rings, sunglasses.
• A tunic dress + leggings.
• A maxi-dress + a kimono.  Add a necklace + flat sandals or boots.
• A t-shirt + shorts + a fringed kimono.  Add necklaces + a big ring.
• A white tank + white jeans + a kimono.  Add a tan belt + a tan fringed cross-body bag + ivory flats + white beads + earrings + some mixed gold bangles + a ring + a watch.
• A blouse inside a short jean skirt + wedge sandals.  Add a pendant on a cord + a fine gold chain bracelet + rings + a shoulder bag + sunglasses.
• A graphic tee + jean skirt + flats.  Add a cross-body bag + earrings + bracelets on both wrists.  Put your hair up if hot.
• A graphic tee inside a printed and/or sequined maxi-skirt.  Belt it and add flat boots + a hat + a cuff + another bracelet + sunglasses.
  

  

• A white tank top + a chiffon maxi-skirt + a light jean jacket.  Add sandals + a couple of pendants + bracelets + a turquoise ring + a big bag.  Try brown or tan sandals and bag.
• A camisole or tank top + a maxi-skirt.  Add huaraches + a cross-body bag + stud earrings + a watch + sunglasses.
• A jean jacket over a little white dress.
• An authentic band tee + a wrap skirt + sneakers.
• A black embroidered tunic + black skinnies + a jean jacket.  Add boots + a short cord necklace.

• A tunic dress + a chunky cardigan.  Add black sheer stockings + black over-the-knee socks or leg warmers + tall black flat boots.  May add a fedora.
• A gray tank top + jean shorts.  Add friendship-style bracelets + sunglasses + a white bag.
• Red camisole + black maxi-skirt + high-top sneakers.  Add jewelry + a black leather backpack + sunglasses.
• Floral printed maxi-dress + high-top sneakers.  Add jewelry (silver disc necklace, friendship bracelet, leather bracelet, earrings) + sunglasses.
• A tank top + jean shorts.  Add a few pendants + gold bangles + slip-on sneakers + sunglasses.

• A crochet pullover + blue jeans.  Add a fine-gauge scarf + a felt hat + ankle boots.  You may like to add turquoise jewelry + round sunglasses.
• A black tank top + jean shorts.  Add a long delicate chain pendant + colorful bracelets + black sandals.
• A black camisole or tank top + an ethnic maxi-skirt, such as a teal wrap skirt. Add a gold or silver necklace or upper arm bracelet + a straw tote + sandals like Birkenstocks.
• A plaid shirt over jean shorts.  Add a wide-band (wide headband) + a delicate necklace or earrings + brown & colored bracelets + sunglasses + a Peruvian purse.
• A striped t-shirt + jean shorts.  May add a belt.  Add turquoise beads + a silver ring + a cross-body bag.  Tie a leather jacket around waist.  May add a beanie.

  

• A graphic tee + black skinnies + a motorcycle jacket.  Add sneakers.
• A graphic t-shirt (may tie it in a knot at waist) + an ivory maxi-skirt.  Add boots + a couple of gold necklaces + a gold cuff/bangle + silver & gold rings + sunglasses.
• A graphic tee over leggings + a flannel shirt + jean jacket.  Roll jacket cuffs & turn back shirt cuffs.  Add a necklace + sneakers + rings.
• A graphic t-shirt + a plaid shirt unbuttoned + a light denim jacket + black pants + high-top sneakers.  Add turquoise & silver ring and necklace + sunglasses.
• A tie-dye t-shirt + jean shorts + huaraches.  Add a long fringed pendant + a batik or Indian-print bag + colorful bracelets + a hat + sunglasses.

• A striped tank top inside jean shorts.  Add a hip pouch + a medallion paired with a longer gold chain + friendship bracelets + sunglasses.
• A lace-up t-shirt + shorts.  Belt it.  Add a bandanna around your neck, head, bag, etc.;  Wear friendship bracelets on your wrist to go with your concert arm tag; and then add a statement ring, a light gold bracelet, mirrored sunglasses, flat ankle boots.
• Shorts + a t-shirt + a fringed kimono.  Add necklaces + a big bag.
• An ivory lace dress + motorcycle jacket.  Push up sleeves of jacket.  Add black ankle boots + gold bead bracelets + aviators + black cross-body bag.

Outfit Ideas for Outdoor Concerts

EMBELLISHMENTS:

1. Use chalk or spray to add one or more colors in your hair
2. Braid feathers in hair
3. Wrap bracelets

   

4. Long pendants, beads or waterfall necklace
5. Temporary tattoos
6. Fringe
7. A hat
8. A headpiece (such as chainmail or head scarf)

OUTFIT COMBINATIONS:

You might like to add something sheer over your outfit, especially if it’s basic. Try a sheer cardigan, kimono, duster, top, dress or skirt.

Other popular outfit pieces are:  breezy bohemian blouses, midi skirts, floral dresses or skirts, and lace or crochet dusters.

You might also like to try Western wear and global looks.

• Wear a rock ‘n’ roll t-shirt + dark denim (skinny black jeans, etc.) Add a bangle, hat & sunglasses.
• Top a t-shirt and denim bottoms with a kimono.
• A light-color crochet top + blue jeans + flat-heeled boots. Add silver & turquoise jewelry + a red bandanna to tie your hair under a hat.
• A camisole or tank top + a maxi skirt + flat sandals. Carry a straw purse or tote. Finish with an upper arm bracelet or bracelets of choice.
• Pair a short-sleeve tee with a printed maxi skirt. Accessorize with a hat + a cross-body bag + ankle boots + necklaces + bracelets + sunglasses.

• A fun graphic tank + a maxi skirt + flat boots. Add a fringed or ethnic bag + a long coin necklace + a cord/wrap bracelet.
• A short-sleeve t-shirt or tank top + jean shorts + espadrilles. Add a big bag (to stash sunnies, ID, cash, tickets & a rain jacket.) Accessorize with a little bling (colorful bracelets, etc.)
• Jean shorts + an airy, flowing top or peasant blouse. Add sandals + a hat + delicate gold or silver jewelry + a big ring.
• A tank top + jean shorts. Try accessorizing with any of the following:  a pendant or two, bangles, friendship-style bracelets, an ethnic-print bag or hip pouch, sandals or slip-on sneakers or huaraches, a hat, sunglasses, etc.
• A navy tank or tee over black or gray jogger pants. Add flat black sandals + a printed scarf + a long necklace + a black backpack + a feather hair tie.

• A kimono matched to a pair of pants + a tank top. Add a chain necklace + lightweight earrings + casual flat sandals.
• A neutral camisole or tank top + printed harem pants + huarache sandals. Add a cord bracelet on each wrist. Or, accessorize with:  tassel earrings + a turquoise pendant + bangles + flat neutral-colored sandals + a backpack.
• A tank top + joggers + combat boots. Add a jacket or shirt tied around waist + a wideband (cloth headband) twisted around wrist + a belt bag.

LET’S CONNECT!

Was this helpful to you?  Please leave a reply below!

Like this post?  You might also like to read: 

• “How to Look Special at Casual Summer Events“
• “How to Get That Free-Spirited Gypsy Style“
• “Here Are 45 Sure-Fire Ways to Rock a Kimono“
• “How to Wear Fringe Pieces:  Outfit Ideas & the Chance to Win a Free Gift!“
• “How to Look Cool and Casual, Yet Special at a Barbecue“
• “How to Add a Touch of Romance With Lace & Crochet“

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Thank you for visiting Your True Self Blog!

Angie

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Art Fairs, Events, Outdoor Concerts, Style, Summer