Over the last few years, music fests like Coachella, Bonnaroo, Burning Man, Glastonbury and Lightning In The Bottle have been at the forefront of what we’d call ‘festival fashion’. Much of what you see people wear are often inspired by various cultures and the fabrics and styles associated with them.
Currently, bindi-toting-henna-paintedย women are flooding summer music festivals, and while some may argue that this is a form of cultural appropriation, the trend has caught on regardless. ย So, here is a comprehensive list of all the fashion trends inspired by our own desi styles.
1. The Maang Tikka
The Maang Tikka is aย piece of head jewellery worn by ย an Indian bride on her wedding day. This traditional ornament is usually heavily laden when diamonds and other precious stones, and comes in both silver and gold.
The new ‘head chain’ accessory that you see in Forever 21 and donned by teenage girls has been inspired from this piece of jewellery. To be honest, there is no denying the appeal of this overused trend as it is quite pretty and alluring.
Tip : Try fashioning together your own headchain with broken pieces of old jewellery to give it that personal touch. Store bought headchains are honestly repetitive in design and can be quite boring.
2. The Bindi
A bindi ย is a forehead decoration worn in by Hindu women.ย Traditionally it is a bright dot of red colour applied in the centre of the forehead close to the eyebrows, but with changing times various colourful styles of bindis have emerged –
Traditionally, the area between the eyebrows (where the bindi is placed) is said to beย the seat of “concealed wisdom” and the bindi is said to retain energy and strengthen concentration. Some say,ย the bindi also represents theย third eye.
The Bindi has to be the biggest fashion trend at music festivals these days, with celebrities decorating their faces withย them.
Tip: It’s easy to drawing bindi patterns on your face with a simple liquid liner. You could use a multitude of colours as well.
3. Henna Tattoos
The name hennaย refers to the dye prepared from the henna tree and the art of temporary tattooing using those dyes, an age old Indian tradition.ย Henna is painted onto the hands and feet of Indian brides, prior to their wedding in a ceremony called a ‘Mehendi’.
What you see on women at lots of music festivals are essentially played down versions of henna, some also being in the form of tattoos that you can easily stick on. This is one of the hottest trends right now!
4. Traditional silver jewellery
Spotting Kendall Jenner at Coachella, with that silver coin statement necklace, proved that traditional Indian designs are pretty hot right now. Originally the coin necklace is made from gold or silver coins, a traditional South Indian ornament. Silver anklets with bells are also a big hit at festivals.
Tip: If you want your jewellery to have a rustic look, pick up oxidised silver jewellery instead.
5. This nose-ring
Looks like Kendall Jenner is a fan of Indian bridal jewellery, as this is another gorgeous piece from an Indian bridal look. The nose ring is connected by a chain to a earring you wear, making it quite tedious to put on.
Tip: This is a potentially dangerous piece of jewellery since it can snag in ย your hair or clothes and pull at your nose and ears, so wear it when you aren’t in a mosh-pit or anything like that.
6. Prints on prints on prints
From mango to Ikkat prints, every traditional and indigenous Indian print is on the market these days. The really popular outfits are usually long skirts and maxi dress, that really complement and suit the versatility of these prints.
Tip: Team a printed skirt with a plain black camisole and jacket, to make the colours really pop!
7. Rajasthani mirror work
Another trend we’ve seen take off, is bags and blouses made out of traditional Rajasthani mirror work. The gorgeous handloom has been around for ages and is already quite a popular trend in India for sarees, belts and cushions covers.
Tip: Fashion a mirror work bag with a plain black maxi and a pair of brown boots and you’ll look smashing!
