The Down Lowe: Best dressed at Laneway (+photos)

Matching outfits might seem naff, but there is something kind of sweet about it. Photos / Katherine Lowe

I braved the heat and the hole in the ozone layer and fast-moving crowds at Auckland's Laneway Festival to see what fun festival fashion-y things I could spot amongst the 12,000 punters. Usually I would be talking about festival trends, but this year I've mixed it up a little - this year I'm bringing to you 20 fashionable things I saw at Laneway and liked (on trend, or not). Enjoy!

20 things I saw at Laneway and liked

1. This seagull print-on-print Moreporks ensemble worn by Tim. Upon initial glance I thought that he was wearing two different colour ways of the same print, but on closer inspection I discovered the colour of the shorts was actually the same as the colour of the shirt, but they've been worn so much they've faded. I like that.

2. Speaking of print-on-print looks, Rosie was spotted in a cute watermelon combo. I saw a lot of full on colourful print outfits yesterday and this particular one stood out to me. I love how boxy the top is, the frayed bottom of it, the slightly off shade of green of her bucket hat that should be wrong but seems to work... She looked great.

Left: Watermelon accessories. Right: Rosie in her watermelon combo.

3. Watermelons were the order of the day. I saw at least five watermelon themed items of clothing or accessories including this statement piece necklace which looks like it was made of FIMO, so of course I took a photo of it.

4. Favourite fresh produce themed accessory overall? This cucumber slice I found on someone's bag.

5. That someone was Ophelia, donning what I thought was one of the most stylish and practical (form AND function) 'festival' outfits of the day - a light, floaty, halter neck dress with a pretty amazing straw hat and sandals. How can that really be beat on a bloody hot day spent outside?

Ophelia in her floaty halter neck dress and cucumber accessory.

6. Because it was so hot, I spent a lot of time looking at hats yesterday. There were a lot of great ones. This blue wide brimmed hat was one of my favourites, mostly because it was so, so wide and secondly because it sat atop a mane of flowing red hair.

7. I spotted this girl's cap in line for a burger and I don't know why she stood out to me. Something about the mix of blonde hair and a cream cap, how similar the tones were.

8. Sylvia also went for the trusty baseball cap. She opted for Nike and paired it with a sequinned playsuit which doesn't immediately seem like something one would first think of wearing to a festival in near 30 degree heat, but she worked it.

From left to right: Blue wide brimmed hat (6), cream cap (7) and Sylvia in a trusty baseball cap.

9. Bridie's headwear was in the ponytail-friendly form of a visor - a STRAW visor, to be precise.

10. Couldn't talk about hats without including Kelly, the one person (other than me) who wears their Katherine is Awesome x Little Brother 'K' cap.

Bridie in her straw visor and Kelly in her Katherine is Awesome x Little Brother cap.

11. This girl was wearing a full length, buttoned to the top outfit which I thought was pretty brave considering I was sweating in a t-shirt (grey marle - huge mistake on my part) and shorts, but she explained to me that the button-up was linen and therefore pretty cool. (The pants weren't especially, however.) She looked chic and pretty incognito with the hat. Like a movie star or something. Very nice.

12. Sonja had this cool Liberty backpack slung over her shoulder.

13. Another girl had this cool CAT backpack slung over hers.

Left: Sonja's Liberty backpack, a cat backpack and Chelsea's outfit and backpack.

14. Chelsea is the first person I think of when I think of people with great style, so I was really happy I came across her huddling near a tree in the shade. Her outfit was simple and clean and very her which I think is the mark of great style - when it's so distinctive like that. When I asked her if she was hot wearing black pants, she replied "I just do not in any way want to get burnt". Stylish AND sun smart. Two thumbs up.

15. Other musicians in the crowd included Estere in this sunglass printed dress which fit like a glove.

16. Being an Auckland inner-city festival that people like to 'dress up' for, I was expecting to see a few designer brands pop up around the place. I got stopped by a guy who told me about his Hilfiger sweater, Lonely lingerie peeked out from under the tops of many, Rodarte t-shirts were dotted around the place and I even spotted a Christian Dior scarf.

17. How cute is this? 90s-inspired fashion is definitely a thing right now, but few look as good or as genuine as Emma.

18. Best socks award goes to Ryder, who I spotted three times before I had the courage to ask him for a photo. Extra stars for the Reebok shorts.

19. Runner up socks award goes to this girl's stripy pair paired with a brown lace-up. I immediately think of art school when I see the combo - but in a good way.

20. People in matching outfits. On purpose, or not - I don't care, I like it. I know it's seen as naff to a lot of people - dressing the same, looking like sheep, repressing individuality - but there's something about it that feels warm and kind of like we're all part of something. Is that too deep for a top 20 article? Perhaps, but let's roll with it.

Tell us about some of the style you spotted at Laweway festival. Join the discussion on the Herald Life Facebook page.

-nzherald.co.nz