Just when you thought leggings couldn’t get any more versatile, there’s yet another reason to slip into your fave athleisure staple: It’s music festival season.
“As long as they’re the right kind—and you don’t look like you’ve just walked out of a sweaty HIIT class—leggings can be the perfect choice for a festival,” says Cat Meffan, a British fitness blogger who’s always on the lookout for pairs that pass the Glastonbury test—i.e. go with her rain boots.
That’s because, as Erin Chiamulon (co-owner and designer of LA-based athleisure brand Electric & Rose and music festival vet) points out, the workout mainstay serves a few practical functions. “Leggings protect your legs from the sun, allergic reactions to grass, and dust,” she says. “It can also get chilly at night, so layers are a must.” (Sorry, cut-offs.)
The key to transitioning your look, from fitness studio (or flight) into festival mode, is to keep the styling minimal, edgy, and purposeful.
The key to transitioning your look from fitness studio (or flight) into festival mode is to keep the styling minimal, edgy, and purposeful—so you can be on your feet all day and move easily between different activities and events.
And while basic black or navy leggings can look really chic in transit—especially paired with an oversized flowing white top and a pair of Birkenstocks, as Meffen recommends—now’s the time to play with colors and patterns (marble, tropical, and snake prints are all big at the moment). She suggests experimenting with pale colors like dusky rose and nude—both of which are trending this season.
Just remember to check for sweat spots—some festivals, including Coachella and Bonnaroo, are actually incorporating more wellness-focused activities like yoga and meditation into their rosters. So if you need a literal breather between shows, you can just strip down to your leggings and base-layer top and be ready to rock.
Below are 12 pairs of leggings that can take you from the studio to the main stage, no sweat.
Festival Leggings
Electric & Rose Voyage Leggings $114
Aerie Move Hi-Rise 3/4 Crop Legging $39.95
The Upside Electric Floral Yoga Pant $105
Upstate Leggings $69
Alo High-Waist Verse Legging $118
Reebok Dance Electric Paradise Legging $55
Revolve Varley Leggings $110
Athleta Kaleidoscope Sonar Capri $79
Poprageous Turkey Feathers Dream Leggings $88
Jala Peak Legging $110
Terez Acid Wash Skull Patch Leggings $78
Sweaty Betty Zero Gravity Run Leggings $135
Here are tips for staying healthy during festival season from SoCal cool girl Whitney Port. And the retro sneakers you’ll want to round out your concert look.
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