Oppikoppi: Festival Fashions For Gurls

Last week I posted a list of essential "what to pack" items as well as a few "what to leave at home"s. Today I'm talking Oppikoppi fashion. Because if you aren't planning your wardrobe by now then what are you doing?

Denim Shirt

Buttoned up right to the top or worn open over a white T. Tucked into a maxi skirt or paired with a pair of black skinny jeans. The denim shirt is the essential festival item. Nothing says "I know what the hell is up with festival fashion" like this classic cowboy staple. Plus, denim shirts are totally ambisextrous, which means that you and your lover can save on packing space and share them.

Leggings

Gurl, you know who says "leggings aren't pants"? Girls who can't afford to wear leggings as pants. As long as at least 2/3 of your bum is covered by a slouchy t-shirt or longer-length vest, you are free to wear those leggings with all the confidence of a pair of actual pants. They are comfortable, versatile and they double up as long johns once the night air cools down to freezing.

Leather Jacket

If you don't have a leather jacket in your wardrobe, you should be quite ashamed. Use this as the perfect excuse to invest in one. There are very few items as effortlessly sexy as a good leather jacket. You don't have to splurge on genuine leather. There are loads of faux options that look great and won't interfere with your vegetarian tendencies. The best thing about a leather jacket is that it looks better and better the more stories it has, so even though it might pick up a few scratches at Oppikoppi, it will be all the better for it.

Scarf

You know what's worse than having ice cold air blowing down the back of your neck while you're trying to watch Desmond & The Tutus? Nothing. Nothing is worse. Bring a scarf.

Beanie

Dirty hair, tent hair, dust hair... there are so many variables for your hair to go wrong at Oppikoppi. Bring a beanie and have one less thing to worry about.

Great for hiding hungover eyes, too.

Boots

Wear them with leggings and a demin shirt. See where I'm going with this? I don't suggest dragging along your Hunter boots as I can't imagine they were built to withstand the thorny terrain of the Northam koppies, but its up to you. Whatever your personal boot style is, it's sure to go down well at Oppikoppi.

Oversized Hoodie


Worn with leggings or jeans and a leather jacket this comfy essential will keep you super warm while still looking sexy. Plus, when you get back to your tent at who knows what time you can literally just fall into bed and sleep in comfort and warmth. If you don't have one of your own, find a boy at Oppikoppi and keep his as a souvenir.

Denim Shorts

Absolutely essential. Every good festival gurl has a pair of these. Worn with a pair of brogues and a t-shirt in the day or over a pair of tights with military boots and a jacket in the evening, you cannot go too far wrong with denim shorts. Unless you weigh 200 kg's. In which case you should ignore everything I just said.

Maxi Skirt

Maxi skirts can be great on anyone, as long as you choose the right style for your body shape. Teamed with a top bun and a baggy tucked in t-shirt, this look is easy and casual and won't be too hot during the day. It's also easy enough to sit down in, which is important since you'll be sitting on the ground most of the time and short skirts are not easy to deal with in such situations.

Flip Flops

If only to protect your feet from 20 000 people's feet germs in the unlikely event of you finding an open shower.

Sunglasses

If there's a fire in your tent and you can only pick one item to save, pick your sunglasses. You can survive Koppi without everything else, but you cannot survive it without your sunglasses. Sunglasses automatically take any outfit from "I am medium looking" to "I am sexyfly and know my fashion".

(Pro tip: Beware of "The Sunglasses Effect"! Always make a hot boy remove his sunglasses before volunteering your full name/number/spare sleeping bag. Many a woman has been fooled into labeling a boy a hottie only to notice that his eyes are 2cm too close together once the sun has set and the shades are off) (Many a woman = me)


Here are a few key looks I found online that will be easy to wear from day to night. You know, in case the above isn't inspiration enough.