This article was written by The Zillennial Zine’s spring editorial intern Jeanny Sánchez Gómez. Find them on Instagram at @jeanny_sanchez. If you would like to share an article with The Zillennial, send us an email at thezillennialzine@gmail.com.
At that time of the year, when you pass through the biggest empty lot in your town and it’s been transformed into a multi-colored phenomenon of carnival rides that were assembled overnight, you know the fair has come to town. Whether you’re there to ride suspiciously built rides, walk through the haze of deep-fried sugar, or go there with friends or date, here is what to wear to the fair.
Depending on where you live, the aesthetic of your local fair will probably vary, so keeping comfort, style, and practicality we’ll find a few outfits for different vibes.
Comfort
Again, depending on where you live, you will probably have your local fair in different climates. Still, for other Southerners like me, you know that any time between March and October is going to be hot and humid, while other places might not be so comfort is a big thing you want to consider when planning your outfit.
Living in Texas, when I think of the fair, I of course think of the State Fair in Dallas. Filled with rides, college football games, and a variety of other activities throughout the 24 days. Having the biggest fair in the country, I can’t help but draw inspiration from here! While this fair happens from September to October, the weather can range throughout the day, so keep in mind that you might also want to add or take layers off throughout the day.
It is also more than likely that you will also be doing a lot of walking and movement throughout the day, especially if you like to participate in the carnival games, so whatever you land on should be something that doesn’t restrict your movements!
Casual
So after taking the logistics into account, it’s time to plan an outfit!
For bottoms, you can’t really go wrong with any choice. The only thing I would try to avoid is any bottoms that will fit uncomfortably after a while.
If it is colder wherever you are, you might want to go for some jeans or pants. With some trendy wide-leg pants or parachute pants, you can always find a pair of bottoms as your statement piece to make your outfit stand out and make the Instagram photos that much more fun.
If it is hotter wherever you are, you can always go for the classic jean shorts, cut-offs, or oversized, and if you look like online, you’ll find a lot of cool options that come with print, embroidery, or patterns to make bottoms look even cooler.
For the tops again, you have a lot of options, but I would recommend checking the weather for whatever day you go. The big pants-tiny top combo never fails so when you are looking for tops, you can look for a cropped tank top, something with an open back, or a cute flowy camisole.
Again, if it’s colder where you are you can still pick a tiny top, big pants combo, and then add a cute knitted cropped cardigan, knitted sweater, or a cozy flannel on top to keep you warm throughout the day.
Shoe-wise, you should wear comfortable shoes! Walking around all day, in an area that most likely will be filled with dirt, trash, possibly mud, and a high risk of getting sticky lemonade spilled on you, comfy, beat-up sneakers will probably be your best options, but if you’re an open-toed shoe wearer, then I’m wishing you luck!
Country
While going casual to the fair, can really translate into any kind of outfit, if you decide to go for a more country theme, it can be fun to dress up if this isn’t your usual attire.
Denim shorts, boot-cut jeans, or a denim skirt can all be a good choice for this look, either way just make sure it is comfortable!
For the full look, boots are probably going to be the most important part of this outfit! With so many styles and colors available, you can’t go wrong with the classic white boots, as they will make your look really pop. Whichever pair you land on, make sure you break them in beforehand! No one wants blisters after a day at the fair!
On the top, there are a lot of options for what you can wear. You can choose to go with a cow print top, a cute t-shirt that might have some kind of cowboy reference, a bandana top, or something that has some fringe on it! Honestly, there is so much western wear out there you are bound to find something that works for you whether it’s more on the casual side or not!
To complete the look, getting a cute cowboy hat can be a really fun thing to incorporate into your look! The straw hat ones are super cute and casual, and the solid cowboy hats, always look good no matter what. If neither is your style, you can always look for the wide-brim boho style hats too.
Practical Necessities/ Accessories
While outfit planning can be a lot of fun before going to the fair, there are some things that you should bring with you to make sure you have a great day!
If you’re planning on being outside for most of the day, make sure to apply sunscreen and take some with you! There is no reason to leave with a sunburn after a fun day. Another fun essential to take is hand sanitizer! It’s always good to have in handy in public spaces, but especially at a fair, whether you are enjoying all the yummy fair food in between rides or have the unfortunate task of using the port-a-potties, you don’t want to be caught with at least something to make your hands cleaner.
If you went with the cowboy wear, you might end up wearing a cowboy hat, but if not it can still be a good idea to bring some kind of hat with you. Bucket hats, a fun trucker hat, or a beanie if the weather calls for it!
The fair is bound to be a fun time between the food, games, and ride so whatever outfit you pick have fun!
What would you wear to the fair? Leave a comment below letting us know!
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