1. Vintage Cut Off Shorts, $30-$50 CAN at 69 Vintage
2. Karen Walker Anytime Tan Sunglasses, $285 CAN at The Future of Frances Watson, Karen Walker
3a. Biko Modern Friendship Bracelet, $85 CAN at Bicyclette Boutique
3b. Biko Mimrim Necklace, $118 CAN at Biko
4. Vintage Cut Off T-Shirt, $16-$25 CAN at Dalston Grey
5. Miista Alexa Multi, $101 – $165 CAN at Sauvage, Karmaloop
6. Deadly Ponies Mr Futon Box, $360 CAN at Deadly Ponies [free international shipping]
7. Consonant 100% Natural Matte Finish Sunscreen, $36 CAN, at Consonant
8. Butter London Knackered Nail Lacquer, $17 CAN at Bicyclette Boutique
9. Vero Moda Viola Dress in Ampared Blue, $99 CAN at Vero Moda, The Bay
10. Korres After-Sun Cooling Gel, $23.50 CAN at Sephora, Shoppers Beauty Boutique
Weather it’s Osheaga next weekend, Outside Lands the following, Austin City Limits this fall, or Coachella S.S. this winter, you should probably start to stock your wardrobe for the season, which really goes all year round wherever it’s hot.
We thought this might leave some of you festival amateurs scratching your heads a little so we took the liberty of rounding up a few of-the-moment must haves and survival items to take with you.
1. There’s no avoiding this hot summer trend and you’ll surely see many incarntions of the vintage or new-wanabee vintage cut off shorts on the festival grounds. We suggest hitting up one of 69 Vintage’s locations, because they’re always getting amazing new finds in and cut offs are most likely on sale at this point in the season. Also be sure to check out their latest venture, Trinity Tuck Shop, which stocks a great selection of cut offs.
2. We always hope the festival forecast will be sun sun sun! So you’ll definitely need a flashy pair of shades to rock with your killer outfit. We suggest these Karen Walker Anytime sunglasses in tan, because everyone seems to still be batty over, and rightfully so because these little beauties are pretty darn rad. They feature a slight glitter within the plastic frames and have a smokey lens to keep you from squinting all weekend at the bands on stage. You can find them in Toronto at The Future of Frances Watson in Parkdale and a2zane (although they don’t stock the Anytime style), as well as online at Karen Walker.
3a. We were only just introduced to the Toronto based jewelry brand Biko at our last venture over to Bicyclette Boutique and these amazing friendship bracelets really caught our eye. They’re the perfect for festival wearing layered up with whoever else you’re inviting to your arm party, and come in three lovely rainbow colours: cream, red, and blue. They’re made from oxidized brass and hand woven Japanese rainbow twine and cost $85 each or $150 for a pair, meant for gifting to your bestie so you can match! Get one at Bicyclette or online at Biko.
3b. We made this one a two-parter because we’re totally OBSESSED with Biko. Their Mimrim necklaces are an easy piece to sport to a festival because they not only pack a punch of colour, but come in two fun colours, and are easy to layer up with other new and vintage pieces from your personal collection! Mimrim is a tribal name, translating to “little chief” and is made with vintage African trade beads, raw brass spike charms and an oxidized brass chain. Get one or two from Biko for $118.
4. We pretty much live in vintage t-shirts all summer because they’re already worked in so they’re super soft and have that cool worn look. We spotted some pretty cool ones over at Dalston Grey a few weeks back an they’ve just re-stocked with some pretty amazing new ones, reasonably priced between $16 and $25. You’ll definitely need to pack a few of these bad boys to go with those vintage cut off shorts!
5. You can’t be wobbling around in wedges or high heels on the festival grass and gravel, so we recommend these amazing Miista Alexa multicoloured hurache’s. They’re super comfy and conform to your feet after only a few wears and will be sure to turn the many heads of stylish photogs looking to spot the best festival outfits! Designed with leather and jazzy coloured laces, these hurache’s also come in black and a combo tan and red colour. We spotted them a few weeks back at Queen West shop Sauvage, but they’re also readily available on Karmaloop.
6. You’ll surely need a cute bag to cart your stuff around in at the festival and we recommend this super rad Deadly Ponies Mr. Futon Box because of its partially plastic construction and luxe finishings. It’s not too small, and not to big, (just right for smuggling in your mickies of booze, shhhh…) and constructed with deer skin, quilted felted rags with plastic sewn over. This isn’t the first time we’ve mentioned this awesome bag, and it’s for good reason. So go ahead and order one, and don’t worry about the shipping, because it’s free!
7. We’ve been searching high and low for a super light weight sunscreen that’s not only perfect for face and body, and doesn’t go on oily like most super expensive sunscreens in this category. Toronto-based skincare company Consonant offers the perfect product that goes on matte without any slippery oily white residue like their mineral competitors. Don’t tell anyone, their secret is titanium dioxide and zinc oxide that protects immediately, unlike most sunscreens which you have to apply at least 15 minutes before exposure. If that wasn’t enough to sell you, it’s also fragrance free for all you sensitive folks out there, and costs a mere $36. This product is essential for any music festival goer, so go ahead and visit their Toronto shop at Yonge & Eglinton, or buy it online (and don’t worry it ships same day).
8. Once you’ve properly protected your skin, you’ll probably want to make sure you’re nails are perfectly shimmery for the whole weekend. You can’t be rocking a bad ass arm party without it, so this time we’re opting for a bit of metallic, because everyone seems to still be riding the neon trend and you’ll need something to offset. We adore Butter London’s Knackered polish from the spring summer 2012 collection and think it’s a nice way to cool off from all those vibrant summer colours you’ve been rocking. Admit it, you have. You can find this colour in Toronto at Bicyclette Boutique.
9. Essential for all festival goers, after cut offs and ripped t-shirts, are of course sun dresses. But we’re tired of all the floral empire cutesy ones people always seem to wear with matching straw hats at festivals, so we thought this sleek Vero Moda racer back dress would be a fresh change. You can find this Viola dress online, as well as at The Bay.
10. And last but not least, what will you do with those over-sunned shoulders after the festival is over? Moisturize them of course! We recommend Korres After Sun Cooling Gel (which we’re giving away RIGHT NOW), because it quickly soothes your dry sun-exposed skin and can be used on both your face and body. To top it all off, you can snag this amazing product conveniently at Sephora as well as any Shoppers Drug Mart with a Beauty Boutique for only $23.50.
HAPPY FESTIVAL SEASON!!!
