Because dressing for the much-awaited HITC Festival is trickier than it looks
Fashion has no rules. You should be able to dress the way you want, whenever and wherever you want. But—yes, there is a catch—it's not all the time that our personal style choices lead to comfortable experiences. Especially when your event warrants you to stay outdoors for an extended period. And trust me when I say that Manila weather isn't something to be trifled with.
That said, dressing for a local music festival can be pretty tricky. You obviously want to stand out, but at the same time, you don't want to be a victim of the heat, humidity and possible rain. But how does one look cute or stylish with all these in mind? Well, we’ve got some ideas.
The ‘fits at Coachella and Burning Man may be the poster children of music fest dressing, but wearing these aren't exactly functional and would—TMI—really suck when you’re trying to use the portable toilets. Glastonbury and Fuji Rock goers are more practical and dress to weather the elements while still looking chic. Though you’ll be dealing with the heat instead of the cold, there are some lessons to be learned there. Some are the mandatory boots-wearing and umbrella-carrying or raincoat-packing.
So, if you’re going to Head in the Clouds this weekend, let us ease your Pinterest search and narrow down the outfit combinations to try. This is, after all, the first major music fest in a good while, and we’re sure you’d want to make the most out of your ‘fits while jamming to Joji, Jackson Wang and the rest of 88rising's killer lineup.
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The T-shirt junkie
The humble T-shirt in a statement print might be the perfect top to don at a music fest. Think of highly graphic tees in tie-dye or bright hues that are recognizable from a mile away. Pair them best with Bermudas in denim or chino fabric, or biker shorts for a more streetwear look. Though sneakers might be your go-to footwear, I suggest you opt for a leather pair to avoid cleaning up difficult mud stains in case it rains. We all know how unforgiving dirt can be on canvas sneaks.
Shop the look:
Oversized jersey tee, Cotton On/Zalora, P659 |
Oversized band tee, Cotton On/Zalora, P1,199 |
Oversized tee, Urban Revivo/Zalora, P1,490 |
Bike shorts, Forever21, P995 |
Hyperturf Adventure sneakers, Adidas/Zalora, P7,500 |
Sunday’s dress
Dresses are perfect for festivals since they’re airy and easy to wear. Just make sure to avoid bodycons so you can comfortably sit on the grass. A knee to midi-length is also preferred so you don’t need to feel conscious moving around so much. A printed frock in rayon or 100% cotton would work great in our weather.
Shop the look:
Crinkled long dress, H&M, P2,290 | Balloon-sleeved dress, H&M, P2,290 |
Printed midi dress, H&M, P2,690 | Lace-up ankle boots, Zara, P6,995 |
The light layer-er
If you still prefer to layer on a hot Manila day, be sure to stick with fabrics that are light and airy. No sweaters, please, as you’ll soon regret it. Opt for cotton, chiffon, mesh or lace fabrics you can layer over each other and also remove when it gets too hot. Mesh works best if you're planning to go for that Y2K look, matched with long sleeves under a shirt. Then for your bottoms, the shorter the better—whether you opt for skirts or cutoffs—and you can finish off with mid to knee-high socks and sneakers or a pair of boots.
Shop the look:
Rhinestone mesh dress, Zara, P7,995 | Tulle cropped top, Zara, P1,995 | Tulle bodysuit, Zara, P1,145 |
Shimmer dress, Zara, P2,495 |
Low-rise denim mini skirt, H&M, P899 |
Cowboy boots, Zara, P7,595 |
Swimsuits in the city
Swimsuits are often seen at music fests because they are pretty comfy to wear! If you plan to wear a maillot as a bodysuit, just beware of your toilet sitch because it won't be such a pleasant experience—unlike two-piece suits that you can easily just strip down like the norm. Swimsuits are also a great way to beat the heat because you can simply layer a mesh cover-up over them or even opt for a statement jacket.
Shop the look:
One-piece swimsuit, Sassa/Zalora, P1,099 | Bandeau bikini top, Rip Curl/Zalora, P2,699 |
Clementine Top in White, Float Swim, P1,950 | Denim skort, Zara, P1,995 |
Anything oversized
The farther away fabrics are from your body, the better! Oversized clothing works wonders since they’re incredibly comfy while also allowing your skin to breathe. Whether that’s a shirt, dress, jacket, romper or a pair of overalls, consider wearing three sizes bigger than you’re used to if you want to stay cool despite the heat of the sun and the crowds!
Shop the look:
Oversized linen shirt, Zara, P2,295 |
Oversized bomber jacket, Zara P6,595 |
Oversized Denim Jacket, H&M, P1,690 | Denim shirt dress, H&M, P1,690 |
Perpetually summer
Luckily, our weather calls for summer dressing all year long. Sad news for a fall/winter gal, but hubaderas can rejoice since they can constantly whip out their halters and tube tops. Sporting these skin-baring pieces at a music fest is definitely a must. But to offset the show of skin, we suggest you pair them with baggy or roomy pants or sweats to keep things cozy.
Shop the look:
Rhinestone halter dress, Zara, P6,595 | Printed halter dress, Zara, P2,495 | Halterneck T-shirt, Zara, P895 |
Corset top, H&M, P1,190 | Low-rise baggy jeans, Cotton On/Zalora, P2,599 | Milano Birko-Flor Sandals, Birkenstock/Zalora, P5,990 |
So, which festival fit are you wearing this weekend at Head in the Clouds?
Words Maura Rodriguez
Art Macky Arquilla