Fashion trends and survival tips

• Outerwear: Utility vests, lightweight jackets (barn jacket if you’re fancy), scarves for flair or evening warmth.
• Footwear: Prioritize comfort. Broken-in sneakers, supportive Birkenstocks or Tevas, sturdy ankle or combat boots and cowboy or biker boots for that disco-cowboy edge.

• Accessorize wisely: Statement belt, pendant or layered necklaces, wide-brim hat, bandana (dust guard), retro sunglasses and hands-free bags (fanny or crossbody).

Every bag is searched at the festival gates, so the smaller and simpler, the better. Fanny packs and clutches under 6″ by 9″ are fair game, no transparency required, but once you size up, the rules kick in: clear bags only, no bigger than 12″ by 6″ by 12″. Hydration packs are welcome so long as they’re empty on arrival, with no more than two extra pockets to stash sunscreen or electrolyte packets.

Allowed items are fairly festival-friendly: empty reusable water bottles, point-and-shoot cameras, small sunscreen, blankets, battery packs, and yes, even totems (under 7 feet and pool-noodle light, please). Chairs are permitted too, provided they’re not inflatable or shaded mini-mansions. 

What won’t make it past the gate? Umbrellas, hammocks, frisbees and anything that screams “tailgate” more than “festival.” Drones, selfie sticks, and professional camera gear are also off the list, as are coolers.

Bottom line: pack light, pack clear and pack smart. Your bag should be as easy to carry as your outfit is to dance in.

• Room Service Vintage: For those chasing fringe jackets, retro tees and accessories that look like they’ve already danced through a dozen summers. 117 N. Loop Blvd E. 512-451-1057. roomservicevintage.com.

• Prototype Vintage Design: The South Congress staple where you’ll find one-of-a-kind denim, perfectly broken-in cowboy boots and statement sunglasses that turn a simple outfit into a headliner look. 1700 S. Congress Ave. 512-447-7686. prototype-vintage.com.

• Guadalupe/South Congress street markets: On the weekends, South Congress Avenue and Guadalupe Street turn into festivals of their own, with local vendors lining the sidewalks. You can find handmade jewelry, embroidered tops and reworked vintage, perfect for snagging something that won’t show up in anyone else’s festival photos.

• National chains: Don’t sleep on Anthropologie, Urban Outfitters or Free People for tanks, sheer dresses and breezy layers that transition from day heat to night sets. Nordstrom Rack, Ross and TJ Maxx also have trendy options.

Three-day GA passes are wait-listed for both weekends, but don’t panic.

Friday and Sunday single-day tickets are still floating around. And if your festival crew is feeling flush, you can always spring for the ultimate splurge: a weekend two bungalow package for 10, a cool $30,000 way to watch The Strokes without ever standing in line for a Porta Potty.