With several music festivals on the horizon in my neck of the woods (RBC Ottawa Bluesfest 2015, TD Ottawa Jazz Festival, Osheaga, City Folk), festival fashion is on the brain!
While my first goal will be to enjoy all of the great bands, my close second will be looking festival-appropriate and comfortable. Summer in Ottawa, Canada is normally a scorcher, so my clothing staples are shorts, breezy dresses, t-shirts, tanks and crops. One problem my friends and I normally run into though is looking “original”. Ottawa is such a small city with so-so shopping (unless you know where to go), you are bound to be wearing the same thing as someone else. I remember going to Bluesfest a few years ago and wearing a cute, frilly, orange romper from Forever 21. I thought I was safe from duplication since orange is typically a difficult colour to wear but nooooooo! I think my friends and I counted about 15 other girls wearing the exact same romper. FAIL. My friends still tease me about that one.
So, with that annoying experience in mind, I’m going to shun some of the festival fashion trends that are big right now such as fringe, the ubiquitious music festival flower crown, Hunter rain boots, and jean shorts so short that I’m ashamed to look (I would never wear those anyway). One trend that I will be completely embracing are knee-high gladiator sandals…just have to find a pair that I’ll be confident no one else will have!
Another thing that I want to be mindful of is price. I do not mind paying higher prices for quality clothing, but I just don’t think it is necessary to buy expensive designer items for music festivals. They are going to get wrecked in the rain, some boor is going to spill beer on you, you are going to get grass stains from sitting in fields under the sun, and if you are like me, you will inevitably dump your poutine down the front of your Novella Royales.
I got together recently with Katie Hession of YOW City Style (instagram: @yowcitystyle) for a little fashion shoot focusing on my ideal festival outfit in my “ideal” price range. I got lucky with this outfit last year, as I bought almost everything at the end of the summer season. The outfit featured cost well under $100 (*minus the shoes, watch and jewelry). Giddy up!
Check it out and let me know what you think in the comments!
Kimono – $5, Sirens
Crop top – $5, Garage Clothing (similar here)
Jean shorts – $11, Garage Clothing (similar here)
Braided belt – $2, Zara (no longer available)
Panama Hat – $14, Joe Fresh (no longer available)
*Shoes from Aldo – $70 (similar here but $$$$)
xo!
Dominique is a Canadian-based fashion and beauty influencer with a strong voice in Ottawa’s black community. Since launching her blog Style Domination in 2015, she has amassed a global fanbase. Dominique shares her life through beautiful imagery and compelling story-telling that speaks to her fans on a personal level. She’s been featured in The Guardian, Flare, The Kit and Cityline. She also hosts events for Dress for Success, the Gem Conference, and has been named a United Way Person 2 Know for the past three years.
Thanks for the great tips!
Beautiful pics!!!
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Thank you, Lindsay!
Great pics!
DWL re: orange rompers…they couldn’t just stop at 3….Gosh!
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HAHAHA!
It screams SUMMER! Love the outfit but what will you wear to the days 2,3,4… 🙂
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Haha! Thanks Allie! Still have to figure that out!
Great tips, and you look amazing! #Gorgeous
https://norulejuststyle.wordpress.com/
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Thank you so much, lovey! xo
Yaaaaaaaaas bitch, Yaaaaaaaaas!!
That last picture!? Hello!
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Hahaha! You’re the best. #superbootie
I’m mean damn girl. You ain’t gotta hurt em like THAT!!
???
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HAHAHA! Ahhhh…every now and the, you gotta slay a little. ;o)
Love the quality of your photos. Nice outfits, you look amazing in all of them.
http://www.evolvinglolo.com
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Thank you! Katie Hession, the photographer (@YOWCityStyle – instagram, twitter, Facebook), is just amazing. Love these photos too!
Love the backdrop! So dope. And your shoes are super cute – I work at ALDO 😉
http://adornedinarmor.com
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Thank you!!!! Yes! Scored the shoes last summer. Love them!!!
You look fabulous!!! And your legs are to die for!!! X
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Haha! Thanks so much! I used to have real stick legs – which I hated. Working out has helped me transform them for the better! xo
Awesome post, amazing photos.
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Thanks so much!
I love hearing about Ottawa fashion and your festival style choices. You can totally rock a pair of gladiators sandals. Hope you find some you like.
Those bell bottom pants look amazing on you and the YOW City photos are gorgeous!
http://laceandpearlsblog.com
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Thanks Asa! Katie of YOW City Style is a really gifted photographer! I love those pants…SO MUCH! They are so comfortable! I’ll keep up my gladiator sandal search and do a blog post once I find a cool pair. ;o)
Love your outfit! You look amazing! Thanks for involuntarily reinforcing my diet 😉 lol
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Ahaha! Thanks for your kind words!! Don’t you just love a great bargain?