Do’s and Don’ts for Double Decker Part 1: Festival Fashion

April can be a tricky month for Mississippi fashionistas, trapped as we are in what I like to call the Bi-polar vortex.

It can be gorgeous, sunny and warm on Thursday, cold, rainy and miserable on Saturday, with a 20-degree temp swing. In the past 15 years, I’ve seen plenty of both in late April, and our unpredictable weather can make dressing for outdoor events like the Double Decker Festival quite a challenge. How does a girl remain comfortable and stylish at the same time?

Check the Weather Channel for Comfort

Again and again. And again. Then don’t believe them until you walk out and see it raining or shining the morning of. And then check the stability of that rain or shine, since you’re probably going to be on the square several hours. Nothing looks odder or feels more uncomfortable than Wellies in the hot sun (that thick rubber doesn’t exactly breathe). Wet or dry isn’t the only issue. Sometime those 20 degree swings can happen in one afternoon. Your cute coral cami starts to clash with your blue skin around 55 degrees – and worse – you might be mistaken for an Auburn fan. Goose bumps aren’t a good look for anyone, no matter what shade you’re wearing.

Check Coachella for Style

Why be inspire by Coachella? While broadly Boho, the California music festival is known for spawning a wide spectrum of fashion trends that quickly go mainstream – and aping Burning Man style is more likely to get you arrested for public indecency. So let’s check out a choice shot from last year’ s festival by Melodie Jeng for Vogue:

From left to right: Girl No. 1 is rocking the floral vibe without being too cutesy, but she may find those booties a bit high in the heel after hours of standing. Girl No.2 has the comfortable shoe, but trust me, a romper and a port-a-potty are not a good match. Don’t try it. Love girl No. 3’s hat, and I like the brief top/big pant combo, but it probably wouldn’t work for DD. Even if the weather cooperated for the top, the pants would be ruined by street detritus common for any music fest not held on a manicured lawn. Girl #4 has the layered approach down, covering her barely-there shorts and top with a flowing kimono and adding some turquoise jewelry for a punch of color.

Notice that three out of the four are wearing cross body purses, which is smart. You need something to hold your phone, cash, ID and keys, but you still wanna throw your hands in the air like you just don’t care and that’s hard to do if you’re wagging a big ol’ bag around. Of course, two of them holding the most important accessory of all – water bottles. If it is hot, this will be crucial to your comfort and even if it’s not, remember the music goes on for roughly 12 hours. It’s a good idea to hydrate in between adult beverages.

In fact, pacing is a good approach for the whole Double Decker event. Next time we’ll discuss a plan of attack that puts Patton to shame and allows you to get the most out of the festival.

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George Atkins is a freelance writer and instructor in the Department of Writing and Rhetoric at Ole Miss. She can be reached at gatkins@olemiss.edu or on Facebook at Facebook.com/girl.george.olemiss

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