Category Archives: Fashion

Shoes for Shows

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I’ve been asked about the best shoes to wear at concerts by a few people, so I thought I’d show the ones I wear. There are quite a few schools of thought. Some go barefoot, flip-flops, sporty offroad style sandals, and then the closed toe shoes and socks people. I’m the third one, as I tend to get my feet stepped on a lot, and my bones get tired so I need some support. I LOVE flip-flops, lived in them year round in Texas, but they just don’t cut it when you need to jump over a barrier, one always falls off. Anyway, I don’t like wearing the same shoes day after day, so I’ve found lots of options. Below is an extremely long catalog of shoes I’ve worn to concerts that worked.

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Nike Air Max Sunrise – these are my VIP’s. They’ve seen 50+ shows, great support, good quality, and cute. In Charlotte this standard dirty hippie guy came up to me and said “excuse me, but are those the Air Max Sunrise? Well done!” and in Ohio a venue worker found them on her phone, she wanted them for work. That’s all the approval I need!

sold out, here are a bunch of other color combos though

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I’ve had a pair of checkered Vans in my arsenal off and on since I was a kid. Once you break in the back, these are the best. Cheap, you can toss them in the washer and dryer, and they match everything. These even stood up to the high tide coming up to our ankles at Jones Beach for Phish. Journey’s. I worked there when I was 16 and they were great to work for, thus I buy vans and tube socks there, they have a quota on socks that is tough to make.

checkered Vans

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The lace-up Vans are just as good. Since these come in men’s sizes, you will often meet a dude in the same shoes. This requires you to put your shoes next to each other, then do the Kid’n Play and high five. You will probably see this guy in two more cities and Kid’n Play each time. Journey’s as well.

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Jordans. This is when you want to make a statement. These are pricey shoes to be wearing in sticky arenas, by wearing white ones you are showing you are stupid and frivolous and do not care. When I wore them at SXSW, I got stopped multiple times to get my picture taken for streetstyle blogs. This did not happen in any other shoe. Sold out, eBay with inflated price

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These are for classier shows, where you will be dancing, but people will be older and in control of themselves, like a Medeski, Martin and Wood show or Spiritualized. These all live in their shoeboxes, and it’s taken years to collect. Whatever you do, take care of your shoes.

gold high tops

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Speaking of Red Rocks, it’s slanted, so I like to have a cowboy heel when I’m there. I’m obsessed with ankle boots that don’t make your legs stumpy. I liked these MIA boots so much, I bought both colors. If you like something, buy all the colors, you never regret those purchases. This style is no longer for sale, but these are similar and even better. That’s also a really good price!

MIA ankle boots

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If only they came in more colors.

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Since they don’t come in black, I wear these Vince Camuto Marcin boots. Softest leather I’ve ever felt, they are like wearing a slipper with spurs. They look really funny in the airport x-ray machine.

starting to get low on sizes

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Oh hey! The same boot in a Chelsea style in cheetah print! I had to wear thick ski socks for awhile breaking them in, they are great for running around on steps in the dark.

these were $60 when I bought them, keep your eyes open

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Speaking of running around in the dark, these are great for sneaking around quietly and quickly. However, they get demoted a point because they stain when someone spills their drink on you.

I like all of their stuff

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Here are their fancier cousins, these are so freaking fun for dancing. I thought they were stupid looking, but after I kicked around in them it was on. I can’t recommend these enough, they come in a ton of colors.

that color is no longer available, but these are pretty

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As we get further into taller boots, these get worn to metal shows and anything that’s going to get crazy. Buy Frye boots on eBay for much less, and you get the added bonus of someone else breaking them in.

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Final concert shoe. These are the best boots I’ve ever owned. Frye leather is awesome, if it already looks like they came from the Gold Rush, then they look good forever. Comfortable, cute, and warm, these are my go to for winter concerts.

I hope this helps at least one person, and keeps them from breaking a pinkie toe (happened in flip-flops), stepping on broken glass and bleeding everywhere (happened barefoot at a small outdoor venue), or getting tetanus (hasn’t happened). At a concert, you want to have fun and dance to great music, not complain that your feet hurt. Have fun out there!!

Things I Learned Watching the Coachella Stream

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20130415-095735.jpg photo by Bryan Van Der Brug

Besides The Postal Service reunion, I had no strong desire to be at Coachella, so I chose to watch the Youtube stream from my own home all weekend. In case anyone can’t tell, I LOVE streaming things. Technology is fantastic, and while the stream was much choppier than last year’s Bonnaroo stream, it got the point across. Things I learned from watching all weekend:

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– I really need a new stool for the computer. This one is rickety and fake leather and all the buttons on top popped off so you sit on little metal circles. I can’t work like this.

–Cloud Nothings rule. I’ve only seen them in little dark places, so was very curious how they would do in the day on a huge stage. They killed it.

– thank goodness for 3 Channels of music, because a lot of it was stuff I have seen in the past year and not been impressed with

– Jenny Lewis makes me cry even if she is wearing a slutty Wicked Witch of the East circus conductor outfit

– Jake Bugg continues to be awesome as can be

– I do not get why everyone likes the xx or James Blake, I try and try but they both make me bored instantly

– if there is one thing people like to do at Coachella, it’s putting their hands in the air

– people LOVE The Lumineers, they played for their biggest audience ever

– a friend worked on the Daft Punk teaser video

– R. Kelly can do no wrong in my book apparently. Dude pees on a minor, and I’m still freaking and loving him onstage with Phoenix doing a “1901” and “Ignition” mash-up, and it worked!

– they apparently had great drugs. The clips of the electronic acts were mesmerizing and repulsive, saw a lot of eyes rolled in the back of heads. YEAH! BASS IN YO FACE

– best festival fashion ever since many can afford to trash designer stuff in Southern California. Absurd amount of flower crowns but at least I like them. High waisted denim shorts are now called Coachella shorts, which is BS, Austin’s been running that fashion game for years!

– Tame Impala should tour with a wind machine always

– Danny DeVito is a good twitterer: Danny Devito at Coachella

– Social Distortion never lost it

– Ty Segall jumped onstage with Thee Oh Sees but they weren’t shown on the stream. Coachella Director!! Please show them next weekend!

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– crowd surfing is still strong in California, and there are more tanned, muscled, tank top wearing, gang sign throwing yo-bro dudes than I ever imagined….

Concert Uniform #3 – Midlevel Dance Party- Arena Wear

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20130402-110650.jpg photo by Russ Simon

Want to find me at a concert when I’m not working? I will be in some form of this outfit, maybe even this exact outfit itself! Concert clothes get grossed up,and I see no point in spending lots of money on concert clothes. This skirt is from Wet Seal, and most likely was no more than 7 bucks. It’s scratchy, it’s cheap, it’s stretchy, it’s perfect. Found out the hard way that you need to wear tights under it, but that’s ok because not only do they save you from thousands of tiny scratches, they keep the skirt in place! I always feel bad watching younger chicks pulling and pulling their little cotton miniskirt ever since they came back in style. Take a walk around the block, always test your stuff out before embarking on five hour dancing excursions! And size up, if it keeps pulling up, it’s too small. No shame in wearing the size that fits and looks good.

The shirt is a really thin linen one from The Gap, and I could kick myself for not buying every color. You get the look of the mismatched plaid without the heat of a flannel. Amazing. It’s not on sale but The Gap, bring this Slim Boyfriend Shirt back. You had it in red/white and blue/orange, too.

I lean towards ankle boots lately just because I’m a little moto and cowboy booted out, and spring is coming! These are awesome and I actually have them in three colors. The leather is soft like a slipper, be careful when taking them off at the end of the night (don’t grab by the heel),

Vince Camuto Marcin Bootie (on sale)

This outfit is so clutch that sometimes, it can even be used as workwear as long as I bring my camera bag (only one pocket with this outfit, must have showpurse ). I love my camera bag from Cheeky Lime, durable, simple, and people know there is camera stuff in there so it parts the sea like Moses.

Classic Red Camera Bag from Cheeky Lime

20130402-112448.jpg photo by Russ Simon

Concert Uniform #2 : Coffeeshop-type Venues

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20130328-180412.jpg photo by Russ Simon

Coffeeshop venues are so easy to dress for. Basically, you can wear what you want, your work clothes, date night clothes, or something like this. Obviously a plaid shirt is always a fall back, but this one is more fitted and buttoned all the way to the top, because the fashion blogs say that’s how we wear them now. almost cholo style, but buttoned to the very bottom. Great for showing off chunky shorter necklaces or a bowtie if you are daring.

I always wear jeans to singer/songwriter type venues. First off, it’s usually a bunch of high tables and stools, so you sit cross legged like a lady ( great time to wear heels, hook it on that lower rung for stability) or you have to sit kind of open legged like a man. I do the latter, so jeans it is.

As for shoes, rock those heels, wear your nice ones, even! These crowds are chill, there isn’t beer spilled everywhere. Only venue I will dare wear a pair of Jordans is of the coffeeshop venue variety, why not? It’s clean! Also, go ahead and bring your nicest purse, you’ve got that high table to flop it on (bonus if they have hooks under the table) and it never leaves your sight!

Doll up, go see some folk and Americana, come home and say “Hey ! My super high heeled boots didn’t hurt tonight!”

Festival and Concert Hair- for the Ladies

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Fellas, this one is not for you, put a baseball cap on, grow some dreads, rock a bowl cut, no one is looking at you. Ladies, concerts are your time to look like a cute little fairy rockstar, and I have a couple cute suggestions that work for me. Many of you can put your hair in a ponytail and go. Something about the way I dance causes that ponytail to turn into a tangled rat tail, so I often go for pigtails since they lay lower and don’t tangle or smack people behind you in the face.

For the past few years, feather hair clips were a hot item. Now it’s all about the permanent streak of funky color. Here’s Selena Gomez rocking blue:

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Blue, purple or teal is great for brunettes, while blondes have been going for more pinks and corals. Blondes-a warning: pink dye loves blonde hair. The other colors tend to fade, but not pink, so make sure you really like the look before you get it done. Below is my hair. That’s about a year and a half of layering various colors so my hair wouldn’t fall out just because I wanted to look like a My Little Pony:

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If physically destroying your hair for the sake of looking funky isn’t your thing, then you are in luck. Braids are HUGE and Pinterest has more tutorials than you can shake a stick at: Braid Hairstyles from Pinterest

Lastly, we have the flower headband which is big this year. In past years girls wore headbands around their foreheads, and I can’t stand them because they always make your hair do this:

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It makes the hair by your part all puff up weird and your head looks like a lightbulb. Seen this WAY too much. Instead, go for this. Much prettier look, doesn’t leave a line across your forehead, and who doesn’t like letting their inner flower child out when dancing at Red Rocks (or your local venue):

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Or if you are a next-level concert-goer, go big:

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Heck, combine em together and suddenly you are Drew Barrymore during her really good style years! Happy dancing, ladies!

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Concert Uniform #1: Photographer Edition

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20130322-175606.jpg photo by Russ Simon

Just like any other job, being a concert goer and/or concert photographer requires a uniform. Luckily, the code is blue collar rock casual, so you get to look all cute and don’t have to wear stupid 3/4 sleeve button up dress shirts from Express (business casual, you are the worst). When shooting shows, I almost always wear a variation of the above outfit:

Black Shirt – because when you are in the photo pit, you are in front of EVERYONE and they didn’t pay to see you. Blend in, dress like the theatre techies from high school. Wow. I take fashion cues from Techies. Anyway, bonus point if it’s a black band tee. The older dudes love shirts from past jobs that say CREW, knock yourself out.

Denim Cutoffs – POCKETS oh pockets, how I love thee. Necessary for your camera lens, ID, and some cash because I don’t bring a showpurse when I have my camera bag. Fifth pocket for little important things. Also, I find myself climbing on stages, crawling over rows of seats, things that skirts just can’t handle.

Black Tights – I live in Colorado. And love Edie Sedgwick

Denim or Flannel Shirt – more pockets! Plus, it’s colder by the time shows let out, and I don’t want to be burdened with a coat if there is no coat check. And I’m a sucker for grunge fashion.

Hair Ties – discussed in showpurse article linked above

Boots or Other Sturdy Closed Toe Shoes – the blatant disregard for feet care at concerts is appalling. Unless you are at a big outdoor with a lawn or a small polite show, wear some closed toe shoes, ladies! You get stepped on, drinks are spilled, floors are disgusting, and at the end of the night, many of you complain about your feet hurting. Boots, sneakers, heck a pair of flats! Wear comfy shoes good for dancing and standing. If you wear heels and don’t complain though, you rock it girl, respect.

Wear a combination of this and you will be comfy and protected even in the most thrashing of metal shows.

Foxygen -SXSoWhat

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image photo by leslieloudspeaker

After a rough time at SXSW, some well needed rest brought the band up to speed for a searing, energetic Denver show opening for Unknown Mortal Orchestra. Similar setlist to the last few times I saw them, but it was a relief seeing the singer Sam look happy again. If they aren’t playing a night before a show, go see them. Word around sxsw was that the new album would be a soul one. However they mature and evolve, I can’t wait to see what’s in the future. Watch his floppy white hats make a comeback.

Full Audio of their album

image photo by leslieloudspeaker

My Personal Tips for an Awesome SXSW

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20130318-223859.jpg photo by leslieloudspeaker

After going to this festival since college, and seeing it explode into what it is now, you get a bad feeling that it’s nothing more than a drunken street festival with music you can barely get into everywhere. 6th Street looks like old Astroworld on a summer day now, so I’ve compiled some tips I’ve found over the years that made the intolerable tolerable again.

1. Move from Austin. I hated it when I lived there for the most part. Working at Frost Tower was a nightmare, could barely get there, then had to hear music and fun all day. Now that I live in Colorado, I adore SXSW.

2. Get a hotel downtown. Like the year before. Traffic gridlocks, shuttle buses can barely get you to downtown, and pretty much forget getting a cab. Book way ahead of the time, it’s worth the money to be able to walk right back to your hotel for air conditioning, change of shoes, a bathroom, etc.

3. Bring various types of shoes and change shoes at least once a day. Even the most comfy shoes start to rub after walking five miles on the hot asphalt.

4. Go Tuesday through Thursday, take off work if you can. You will see almost every band playing before the weekend warriors come in.

5. Lots of phones don’t work well down there. Put it on airplane mode as you walk around, go in the convention center and use their free wifi, air conditions, clean restrooms, and short lines for coffee.

6. If you buy a badge, upload a cute pic beforehand and send it to them. The pictures they take in line are awful.

7. Try to eat before getting down to 6th. Food trucks have crazy lines, eat on Congress and grab some trail mix and stuff.

8. Bring a pen and paper and write your schedule down. That awesome sxsw app doesn’t work for everyone down there.

9. Follow your ears. If you are heading somewhere but hear something good, just check it out. That band you were heading to will play many more times.

10. Stop being afraid of getting closer than 6 feet to the stage. It doesn’t bite, and the band feels more comfortable.

Well, that’s a start! Soon my reviews and Who To Watch list will be up!

New music accessory: Tweedz Earbuds

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20130318-214509.jpg photo by Russell Simon

An old high school friend Reed Wotiz created these awesome earbuds that look like braided guitar cables called Tweedz. They come with a few different rubber parts depending on what size you need (a big plus for me because regular iBuds always fall out of my weird small ears). I got a pair for the mass amount of walking I would be doing in Austin for SXSW this year, and they couldn’t have been better for blasting The Kinks and Foxygen. They don’t tangle up, so i just toss them in my pocket or purse and they look way cuter than those dingy white iPod ones. They sound great for such a affordable price, and can be purchased at the Tweedz website in a variety of colors:

Tweedz Website

Shirt: Hollister
Jeans: Old Navy Rockstars
Shoes: Jordan 3 Retro 88’s