Festival Fashion: Trending Clothes at Shaky Knees Fest

From cowboy boots and crochet sets to big jorts and bikini tops, music festivals are a place to show off the latest fashion trends and niche outfit ensembles for a full day of fun. Shaky Knees, a music festival in Atlanta that took place from Sept. 19-21 at Piedmont Park, acted as a hub for outfit inspiration and unique apparel.

A common trend seen at Shaky Knees was festival-goers matching their outfits to the main act’s aesthetic. During My Chemical Romance, a popular early 2000s emo band that still maintains a huge fanbase today, fans wore all-black ensembles and even black button-downs with slacks and red accents to mimic the band’s “Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge” era.

The hot weather did not seem to deter followers from dressing for the occasion. Some sported fake blood sprayed across their faces, others fishnets paired with black platform boots and goth-inspired makeup. Fans lined up hours ahead of time for the band’s set, and they looked incredibly on-brand for the set while doing it.

While fans often dress for the main act’s aesthetic, another look that has made its way to festivals is Western wear. The hot day spent standing did not seem to deter the many attendees who could be seen sporting a pair of cowboy boots in all colors of the rainbow, a pair of flared jeans or a cowboy hat to block out the sun.

Western trends appear to be crawling back into the spotlight through the dedication of these festival-goers as they wear their detailed boots and cowboy hats, oftentimes paired with a tasteful bra top or flowy dress or skirt.

This resurgence is likely because of how such articles of clothing can really elevate a look with their interesting shapes and patterns while being meant for harsher elements as well. Festivals require being outside for hours on end, and a good pair of boots or a wide-brimmed hat can make bearing hot conditions and hours of standing easier.

Baggy jean shorts, or jorts, are also showing a rise in popularity this year in the music festival scene. As they are good to wear in hot weather when a looser garment is needed, many festival-goers could be seen sporting this useful article of clothing.

Jorts sport large pockets that are easy to store personal items and are loose around the legs, which prevents heat from being trapped, a plus for summer festivals. This combination of stylish and practical makes jorts a great option for festivals, something many have recognized based on their fashion choices at this year’s Shaky Knees.

Editor: Sydney Annis

Graphic: Sanjana Karanth