SXSW is over, and if you’re anything like myself then you’re probably pretty happy that this 2 week long cluster duck (as my iPhone likes to call it) has come to a close. While most people spend the majority of their time during SXSW standing in line for shows and free booze, I spend most of my time staring at the people standing in line for shows and free booze. I guess you could say I’m sort of an outsider looking in when it comes to music festivals these days. I do enjoy live music every now and then, but I find SXSW to be a difficult beast to slay in terms of cost and reward. I use my energy at SXSW to meet new people and take photos, mostly because I’m impatient (and perhaps getting a little old), but also because that’s what I get the most joy out of doing.
I’ve been documenting the style at SXSW for a few years now and I’ve definitely watched it change. What I find interesting about the fashion you see at music festivals, is that it is a direct reflection of the music. A few years ago the street style at SXSW was predominately hipsters in cut off jorts along with rockers and metal heads wearing leather jackets in 80 degree weather. Those looks do still exist to some extent. However, SXSW continues to bring on more hip hop and DJ acts to the lineups causing the street style to take on a much more mainstream, as well as a hip hop look. Let’s just say the number of white girls wearing gold chains was at an all time high this year.
What I do think was missing from this year’s SXSW was an influx of fashion-forward trend setters. Finding people worthy of photographing was a little harder for me this year as there was really nothing but a handful of gems in Lady Gaga’s vomit haboob. But, I sought out the polished stones and washed them off for you:
Denise Marquez, El Paso TX
Chelsea Coggins, Austin TX
Nina Nesbitt, Scotland
Lucy Morrison, Australia
Honey, Memphis TN
The Dolls, NYC
Raquel Buscabulla (the most stylish pregnant woman I’ve ever seen)
Alex Park, Austin TX
Lindsey Kennedy, Lawrence KS
Amanda Rhodes, Austin TX
En, NYC
Jenny Woys, Austin TX
Taelor Ray, Austin TX
Sam Lao, Dallas TX
Amanda Gilbert, Los Angeles CA
Ruby Kendrick the Rabbitfoot, Athens GA
Kierra Wimberly, San Antonio TX
Joanna Wilkinson
keep austin stylish