To view several more photos of Electric Forest street-style, please click below.
Electric Forest street style is the combination of raver candy kids, old fashioned hippies, city-dwelling hipsters and it’s own brand of Rothburian forest fantasy, as you can tell from the photos of elf-like fairies – complete with wings. The more I see, process, and think about Midwestern style, the more I think it is defined by individuality. Rothburians are freer to create individualized looks than festival-goers at a mainstream fashion festival like Coachella.
The lack of a traditional “fashion scene” at Rothbury/Electric Forest allows people to let their inner self shine through personal style without fear of judgment or snark, similar to street-style in Chicago. One of the most beautiful aspects of Midwestern life is the general kindness and respect Midwesterners have for each other. As a result people here have the courage to put themselves far out there. The camping music festival environment is particularly conducive to this brand of extreme self expression, which is encouraged and celebrated by the culture.
Another woman who earned herself a separate post, this stylishly worldly look is as fashionable in the Northern Michigan pine forest as it would be in Paris or New York. I love the overaccessorized wrist jewelry and the layering of delicate necklaces. The blue tunic with hand embroidery and a subtle paisley pattern rightfully dominates the ensemble.
Keilon is another example of the resurgence of the Gentleman look on the streets of Chicago. This polished aesthetic has become the provenance of either the very young or the much older. Baby boomers, for whom the ability to chair a boardroom meeting in jeans is the ultimate expression of sartorial power, are lost in between. It’s rare to see someone between 45 and 60 years old sporting this look, but I see this – or elements of the Gentlemen – in virtually all fashion-forward young men these days.
Or take my friend Jeff over at
The Midwestyle fashion blog for another example of how young twenty-something males are taking the sort of pride in their appearance that their parents never did. Above is a detail shot of Jeff’s bowtie etched with tiny little skulls. I photographed him for a Refinery29 project that will be released in mid-July, so I am not able to share with you his entire look just yet. I encourage you to stop by
The Midwestyle to see more of Jeff’s personal style and to learn more about men’s fashion. Their blog has been educating me for months on the subtleties of men’s style. I’m sure you’ll discover something new yourself.
