warning Hi, we've moved to USCANNENBERGMEDIA.COM. Visit us there!

Neon Tommy - Annenberg digital news

Hard Summer Recap: Surprising Trends At Hard Summer 2013

Allison Selick |
August 6, 2013 | 10:30 a.m. PDT

Style Editor

From ferris wheels with rotating pods to exotic Indian foods, Hard Summer 2013 allowed our staffers to experience a weekend of 'firsts'. This curiosity extended to the fashion at Hard Summer (and EDM festivals in general), which is typically associated with neon colors, copious bare skin and wild innovation. Though these common trends existed in abundance, there were also six that drew surprise.

LED Boots (funkysexyboots.net)
LED Boots (funkysexyboots.net)
 

Light-Up Boots

Though glowsticks and all light-up objects were not allowed through security, some ticket holders snuck lights in through their boots. Reminiscent of the Cinderella light sneakers that we wore when we were four, LED furry rave boots light up with every step, drawing all attention to the wearer's feet. These boots may carry the risk of being confiscated, but are cool enough to be worth the potential consequences.

Diffraction (Instagram- justadye4)
Diffraction (Instagram- justadye4)
 

Diffraction Glasses

Think back to when you were just a kid, playing around with kaleidoscopes. Now picture sunglasses that work in the same way, with every color moving along to the beat of the music. A friendly concert-goer requested that our Neon Tommy staffer try on her glasses, and, needless to say, she entered another world. 

Unicorn Costume (raveready.com)
Unicorn Costume (raveready.com)
 

Animal Costumes

Ravers are no strangers to animal hoods, and enjoy the childlike vibe and warmth that they provide. Attendees of Hard Summer took the trend further with full-body, (well, full-underwear), animal getups. Our staffer met a woman in a unicorn costume, who threw glitter on all passerby, and a girl in a latex bikini who donned cat ears and a tail. When our staffer inquired about her outfit choice, she would only answer in meows.

American Pride (Instagram-_toniannn)
American Pride (Instagram-_toniannn)
 

American Flag Prints

Neon Tommy experienced Stagecoach flashbacks from the plethora of American flag apparel. The pattern decorated tank tops, bralettes and short-shorts. Concert-goers brought flags that they waived while standing on their friends' shoulders, displaying their USA pride.

Vampire Lenses (joke.co.uk)
Vampire Lenses (joke.co.uk)
 

Vampire Contact Lenses

Though Hard Summer began at 11:00 am, the theme for eyewear was inspired by the night. Vampire contact lenses gave concert-goers' eyes a monstrous effect. A quick turn of the head and demon lenses glaring from the corner of your eye can be terrifyingly surreal. The lenses (and, in some cases, sharp teeth to match), paralleled Bauuer's mind-blowing set graphics, which featured eyeballs and vintage cars.  

Tie-Dye Sweater (Etsy-Cherryunderground)
Tie-Dye Sweater (Etsy-Cherryunderground)
 

Tie-Dye

Maybe we should not have been surprised about seeing tie-dye. After all, it is mixed with bright colors and gives off a happy, trippy vibe. even so, the sheer amount of tie-dye apparel at Hard Summer was unexpected.

The print showed itself on everything from mini-dresses to pasties. Neon Tommy spotted ladies sporting tie-dye wigs and tie-dye underwear.  

Even so, this trend was more popular among the male crowd. Men wore old, tie-dye tees from thrift shops that they had ripped themselves. Tie-dye allowed male concert-goers, who tend to be less involved in the crazy costume scene, to add color to their outfits.

 

 

Contact Style Editor Allison Selick here



 

Buzz

Craig Gillespie directed this true story about "the most daring rescue mission in the history of the U.S. Coast Guard.”

Watch USC Annenberg Media's live State of the Union recap and analysis here.

 
ntrandomness