Coachella is my way of kicking off spring. The heat. The sun. I absolutely love the energy and togetherness that Coachella brings each year to Palm Springs. Plus, it’s the perfect excuse to extend my work trip to Los Angeles. More pool time please! I counted with Dylana and this is our 8th Coachella in a row since 2011. Not much has changed, yet I still manage to make each year feel like it’s brand new again. Early mornings are spent by the pool. Afternoons are spent at brunch or a hotel day party. Nights are spent hopping between shows. Palm Springs has it’s busiest weekend of all time, bringing in bands from all over the world. This time? Revolve Festival, Coachella, and Neon Carnival all in a single night. I’ve seen many of the bands over and over again around the US at different festivals that I’m beginning to know the lyrics by heart. Borns, Haim, and Migos to name a few. Boy was I party pooped!  And it’s all happening again right now, this weekend for Coachella weekend two.

Right on for those who can do all that fun in the sun two weekends in a row. I’m taking a breather instead! But since many of us are still in festival mode or planning to hit up Bonnaroo or Lollapalooza later this year, here’s a round up of some festival looks to get you prepared. BB Dakota partnered up with Dylana and I this season, and I swear I saw girls wearing the latest collection at every single event I went to out in Palm Springs. We also hosted their pre-festival bash at their LA headquarters. It was a pretty special night. So many amazing ladies came out to support and shopped the line. This denim overall dress and BB Dakota top/skirt combination were the it looks this festival season. These easy pieces are perfect for festival season because it’s hot, you’re on your feet, and you just want something easy and light to dance in. It’s awesome to see how many babes were sporting BB Dakota! I couldn’t help but take photos! I took my favorite BB Dakota go-tos and gave it my own twist with a little layering. Festival season is all about the freedom to wear and do whatever you want. Glitter? Why not. Denim? Necessary.

Shop my  BB Dakota looks below.

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I am such a fan of opposites. As for my style, it’s true that opposites attract. Like here, sashaying down the grassy fields of the Bonnaroo campground in this most glamorous Ji Oh fringed dress. Why not? Or throwing on a completely unexpected bucket hat just for the fun of it. Just like at any outdoor music festival, anything goes. Yep, Opening Ceremony brought back the bucket hat. Are you ready for all this summer madness?

Another thing that might sound absolutely bonkers is glamping. Yep, glamping is suddenly a real word: glam camping. It’s exactly as it sounds. You get electricity, the whole VIP treatment, and still get to sleep under the stars and hear the headliners from your bed. Does it get any better? But this year, it felt like all the fun was in General Admission. I couldn’t help but twirl this night through these tie dye rows of tents. I caught the last second of sunset and made friends from all over the world. There was so much to capture behind my lens. The energy. The crowds. The people. It’s eclectic. It’s real. Grass is always greener on the other side depending how you look at it.

Espirit x Opening Ceremony bucket hat

Ji Oh fringed dress

Teva sandals 

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The amazing thing about Bonnaroo is that it’s like a circus. Crazy outfits. Colors flying everywhere. Reds, oranges, pinks, and purples. All shades of the sun and sunset. You can be whoever you want to be in the hot Tennessee heat every single summer. It’s a personal fun house of sorts.

How liberating is that? It’s a weekend of letting go, and that is the most important thing about it all. No one is left out. And it all comes along with a side of that Southern charm that sounds so sweet and friendly. The sun sure does burn strong and hard down there, but everything else is so light and laid back, the sunburn are worth it. 

Ulla Johnson dress

Les Nereides earrings

By Boe ring

Linda Farrow sunglasses

Teva sandals

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This was my Coachella sling bag by Marc Jacobs. It converts to a hobo, crossbody, and backpack. How cool is that?! I like it best slung as a crossbody over my waist. Besides this incredible purple, it also comes in a stunning canary yellow.

Marc Jacobs Ready-to-Wear right now is like a burst of rainbow. I spotted this striped shirt dress and knew I had to have it. Super simple. Very 90’s. Extra cool. Made for disco-ing out in the desert with the Marc Jacobs “Twist” sunglasses. He knows retro. He has mastered quirky, unexpected combinations that just work. Always super fun with loads of personality. That’s why I’m always gravitating towards them. Sure this look is perfect for any festival, but I can already see myself rocking it in Manhattan with a great pair of Converse sneakers and trench coat. You know I like anything that easily converts to city chic. I’ve certainly had way too much fun in the sun…it’s about time I catch up on those never-ending emails.

Marc Jacobs sling handbag

Marc Jacobs dress

Marc Jacobs “twist” sunglasses

AGL sandals 

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This season I went to Coachella sans kimono and crochet crop tops. I wanted to steer clear of the typical festival fashion. Instead of leaning towards fast fashion that you can only wear for just that weekend, invest in some statement denim pieces that will take you through Coachella and beyond. That’s why I went with 7 For All Mankind in my festival packing. Their new denim collection consists of jumpsuits (yep, it hugs perfect at the waist), mid-rise shorts in classic washes, and super comfortable low-rise flares. Denim is easy, and you can accessorize each piece to make it your own. The new 7FAM collection has a 70’s twist that I loved. One day I went with an adorable off-shoulder jumpsuit. The next, a bodysuit and black denim shorts. For my last day on Coachella grounds, I sported a full-on light blue denim crop top and matching flare pant. Edgy and unexpected with a pop of red. Less is more, believe it or not. Even at Coachella. But that’s the beauty of festival season…just do you, even if it’s against the norm, and listen to some good music.

And I can finally say this: my 6th Coachella in a row is officially accomplished! It certainly came and went far too fast. Each year gets better and better. You begin to know what to pack. (I always go with sunscreen, gum, and face wipes). You pick out the right shoes for a day of dancing on your feet. You remember to pack that straw hat and pair of sunglasses because of those countless hours under the hot sun. You realize that “yes, you need a car” especially if you want to event hop and not rely on your huge party crew. Planning and executing is suddenly soooo much easier. Each Coachella reminiscent of the last, with an unexpected new twist. I saw some of my favorite bands this year: Father John Misty, Future, and Lady Gaga. I did manage to squeeze in some time to spin under the flashing lights at the Sahara Tent. So many rice bowls consumed in VIP…so much ice cream…and even more memories. The festival may be super hectic but it’s the time on the road that I love most. Sitting at the wheel. That’s the beauty of being out in the desert. You forget the time. You don’t have your normal routine. It’s just you, the open road, and some good tunes.

7 For All Mankind jumpsuit

The 2 Bandits earrings

7 For All Mankind black denim shorts

Novella Royale bodysuit

Rebecca Minkoff scarf

Elizabeth & James earrings

Marimekko rings

7 For All Mankind denim bustier

7 For All Mankind flare jeans

Sandro Paris blazer

Ray-Ban sunglasses

The 2 Bandits earrings

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It’s festival season!! Coachella in Indio, California? Check. SXSW in Austin, Texas? Check. It’s in Texas where I whip out my classic leather cowboy hat. I’ve been getting far too much sun, but loving every single moment of it. SXSW is rowdy. The streets are closed down. The bars are open. There’s music everywhere you turn. The guitarist on the corner of the road. The back of the little jazz cafe. It’s a full week to immerse yourself in all different sounds. Different cultures.

And you can get everywhere by foot, it’s incredible. I packed a small carry-on and fit in 4 very different looks. An embellished dress. An unexpected leather jacket. The velvet slip dress. And denim, lots of it. Shop the looks below.

#1. The embellished dress.

Haute Hippie dress

Chelsea + Walker blouse

Minnetonka leather hat

#2: The unexpected leather jacket.

Haute Hippie leather jacket

Hudson Jeans flares

VEDA leather dress

COACH boots

Sandro Paris handbag

#3. The velvet slip dress.

Elizabeth & James dress

LOFT scarf

AGL sandals 

Movado edge watch

#4. The pink jean

Rebecca Taylor blouse

Hudson Jeans pink jeans

Dolce Vita shoes

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Bonnaroo has always been my favorite music festival. It’s gritty. It’s dirty. It’s hot. Everyone’s dripping in sweat on the dance floor. And it’s all about being an individual. Wearing all the colors of the rainbow. Dancing barefoot. Making friends with absolute strangers. High-fiving every single person you pass with a simple “Happy Roo!” You just feel everyone’s freedom and positivity. You immediately feel like you’ve left the real world and landed in a peaceful, wacky place that has literally no cares in the world. The only thing you have to worry about is what band is playing next and when you can hit your tent for a quick cat nap.

The Reef crew and I definitely know how to escape and adventure in our own crazy alternate universes. Making our mark and stamping each city with our footprint. Documenting our own stories. You could definitely say Bonnaroo is like an alternate universe. Out in the middle of Manchester, Tennessee! The festival is a grassy campground of smiling, dancing hippies, with one thing in common: the love for music. And you know us at Reef LOVE music. It inspires us to keep going if we’re somewhere out in the ocean crushing a new wave, or traveling to exotic locations for our next shoot, or simply taking on the New York City streets. Right now, I’m currently listening to “American Money” by BORNS and “Jimmy Franco” by Lolawolf. I love leaving a new city with a new tune to add to my forever growing playlist. Each song a reminder to live in the moment and feel the freedom we all felt in the crowds, dancing under the stars.

We counted all of our steps over the weekend, and we crushed miles and miles. We had an early morning to hike the Tennesse Old Stone trail. We walked across the famous John Seigenthaler Bridge to the Riverfront. We dancing for hours with our headphones on in the silent disco. Those long days on our feet are normally the best. Our Reef Rovers kept us company every step of the way. 

Featuring:

// Reef Rover low sneakers, Rover HI-LE sandal, Reef hat, and backpack //

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As you know, I’m a total festival go-er. I love getting down and dirty, traveling with just a tote, and a great pair of sneakers. Reef just launched the Reef Rover Slip-Ons, making the trek to through airport security to long days at the festival grounds a complete breeze. What’s coming up this weekend? Outside Lands in San Francisco. This music festival is definitely on my bucket list for next year. Man, I really do miss my West Coast family, but my Reef babes have me covered and I’ll be following along from home in NYC. You know I’m such a Rover girl. They’re like walking on a foamy cloud. That may be the best way to describe them. They call it Swellular Technology. Something that truly allows you to slip even wet feet after a day at the beach, to dancing at the bar at night. I like these best with bare legs, an indigo tie-dye romper, and a good hat to shade me from the sun. San Francisco is calling my name.

// REEF Rover Slip-Ons, Love Shack Fancy romper, Jerome Boccio handbag //

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I have survived yet another festival. One I’ve always wanted to attend. LOLLAPALOOZA! Lolla! Lolla! Talk about fun. And tons of great music. I shimmied in some killer little get-ups by Missguided. Full on printed wide-leg jumpsuits. Bell sleeved rompers. And retro little shift dresses. Anything and everything made for dancing and running around town in the 90 degree heat. Lolla is a huge festival. Roads blocked off down Michigan Avenue and stages spread out through the entire park. The sound was insanely clear and with the downtown skyline twinkling in the distance, you couldn’t have asked for a better place to listen to your favorite bands. Between stops at the craft beer garden and munching on some of the best bahn-mi sandwiches I’ve had in a while, I still discovered a ton of new music.

FKA Twigs: This girl can seriously dance.

METALLICA: These rockers gathered the biggest crowd at the festival. Think Hells Angels rolling in straight from the metal bar. I love classic metal. Just steer clear of the giant mosh pit.

Sylvan Esso: The song Hey Mami is the newest addition to my playlist

Tame Impala: I’ve seen them at just about every festival this year, but they sounded extra excellent. Maybe it was just the Chicago air. Dragonflies everywhere, the perfect end of day breeze, that made their sound extra magical at sunset.

The Chainsmokers: one of the best DJ sets I’ve heard this weekend, kicking off after the tornado storm caused a Lollapalooza evacuation! Once the storm passed, everyone quickly swarmed back into the festival…with more energy than ever.
Toro y Moi: Nothing beats classic rock n’ roll.
Wild Belle: I saw them at Surf Lodge in NYC and was so happy to see this bohemian babe perform again at Lolla.
Albert Hammond Jr: Being the lead guitarist in his past band The Strokes, his sound definitely reminded me of that Lower East Side classic rock.
First Aid Kit: I’ve been listening to these Swedish sisters since they released “Ghost Town” in 2010. Folk, and oh so charming!

Between shows, you’d find me plopped down on my blanket with my girl tribe. Quick naps to keep us going. After 3 full days on our feet, we spent Sunday night at this amazing taco joint, Big Star, down in Wicker Park, to close our weekend with a good michelada. The Black Angels was blasting on the record player. Psych rock goodness. Reminding why I love Chicago and festival season. This weekend in Chicago was all about celebrating the love of music and I had a complete blast.

// MISSGUIDED jumpsuit //

// MISSGUIDED romper //

// MISSGUIDED dress //

The post LOLLAPALOOZA 2015 first appeared on NATALIE OFF DUTY.

Just arrived here in Chi-town for my first Lollapalooza music festival! So stoked to be back in the beautiful Windy City for the second time. And hopefully not my last. I’ll be sporting my favorite MISSGUIDED looks during the festival, and I don’t plan on missing any of my favorite artists. Here’s to dancing under sunshine in a cool, new city and some rockin’ threads.

// Missguided bodysuit + skirt //

Shop more MISSGUIDED Festival favorites:

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