So C finally corralled me into posting, and it's fortuitous timing. I just got back from Bonnaroo, everyone's favorite neo hippie organic loving music festival in the hills outside of Nashville, TN, so I have been immersed in sustainable, vintage, and eco minded hipsters (and a smattering of eco-disinterest, but we won't hold that against them).
Firstly, if you haven't ever been to Bonnaroo, it's definitely an experience you can't pass up while it lasts. Standouts, in my opinion, were Pearl Jam (the elder statesmen of grunge who are actually better with age), Gogol Bordello (who's music is like a gypsy punk filibuster you can't stop bouncing to), Robert Plant & Alison Krauss (with blues country soul and the occasional Zep cover), and Yonder Mountain String Band (bringing out the dancing hillbilly bluegrass in everyone). More importantly, Bonnaroo does a fantastic job of monitoring their own environmental impact. They had a bevy of compostable utensils and plates/cups, recycling everywhere, organic clothing on site, and an amazing volunteer staff that cleaned and recycled after every show. Last year alone, they recycled 60% of their waste, and bought carbon credits to offset their energy consumption.
In the midst of all this eco friendly rock and rootsy music, it's easy to forget that I have to look goooooood while rocking out. Fortunately, there are a bevy of music festivals this summer to show off your sustainable duds. Start with the most important piece, the hiply irreverent organic tee shirt with artwork by Karl Addison - llamas never looked so badass. Follow it up with stylish (if expensive) chinos by Loomstate made from 100% organic cotton. Even though it comes in blue, the checked pattern is far more nerdy ironic. The sandals are key for summer wear, so go stylish and hip in the Splaff Mens Recycled Rubber Black Flip Flops, made from recycled car tires. What's more punk than wearing tires on your feet? For the final "I'm a rock icon" touch, don this sustainable, organic fairtrade seagrass Fireball Fedora by Livity. Now you can continue pretending you don't care how you look at every festival this summer.
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