For an artistic show, wear colorful and patterned clothes that contrast against the background. A colorful blouse or a patterned skirt can reveal your personality and style. While picking these articles, consider colors that suit you. You may like wearing a red shirt if you like red or a floral dress if you adore flowers. It all depends on what you feel comfortable in.
Remember that you aim to stand out while not overdoing it. You wish to work in harmony, not clash, with
the art. The thumb rule is to choose one colored or patterned piece and keep the rest simple. Thus, your
clothes will be in harmony and appealing.
Art fairs involve a lot of walking; thus, one must wear comfortable shoes. Good choices are sneakers that fit well, flats or boots you feel comfortable taking for a long walk. Loafers with socks are very trendy amongst the art crowd! It will be wise to wear shoes you are familiar with to ensure they've broken in.
Although you may wish your shoes to be trendy, avoid new shoes or high heels, which might make walking
uncomfortable or painful. Moreover, think of the venue of the art fair. If it is outdoors, flat shoes can
handle grass or gravel paths. Comfort should be the primary consideration because sore feet can make
the fair day a nightmare for you.
Layering your clothes is a good idea for several reasons. For instance, it allows you to acclimate to varying
temperatures throughout the day. Mornings may still be mild, and afternoons might be warm, depending
on the location of the outdoor fairs. Categorize the bottom layer as a t-shirt or blouse and add a cardigan
or jacket that you can remove if it gets hot.
Opt for layers you can throw over your shoulders or tie around your waist, so they don't need to be held.
Ensure each layer looks good separately, as you may choose to remove a layer if it gets very warm. Your
layers, too, must be of the same style and color so that your outfit always looks polished.
Accessories can be a real game changer in building your art fair ensemble. Whether it is a necklace, rings, earrings, or a bright scarf on your bag, a single accessory can improve a simple look. Find accessories that match your outfit and make you feel comfortable for the whole day. Large, swinging earrings are attractive but might not be comfortable for a long day at the fair (and hopefully a nice dinner after!). An excellent tip would be to select one statement piece of jewelry and minimize the number of other accessories. This way, you keep your appearance simple and not excessively complicated so that you can laze around and enjoy the artwork without any fashion fuss.
Selecting the most appropriate bag for an art fair is all about balance. You must have something that can accommodate important items like a wallet, cell phone, and water bottle, but it should be light and compact. While a large statement bag might look great in photos, a crossbody bag is a better option as it frees your hands and distributes weight evenly, which helps you walk around the entire day. Another classic choice is the tote bag, seen above at Frieze New York, which is an art fair staple. Bonus points for a tote from your favorite museum, arthouse magazine or with an ironic artsy phrase on it!
Choose a smart casual look as your base. This could be chinos or tailored trousers with a crisp and well-fitting shirt. Depending on the weather, you could use a lightweight, unstructured blazer that will be flexible and stylish without the formality of a suit jacket. Smart casual is a style that combines elements such as a cotton polo shirt or chambray button-down, which makes it relaxed yet refined.
Footwear is essential because you will probably be on your feet all day long. Loafers, brogues, or clean sneakers are ideal options; they provide comfort without compromising on style. For outdoor fairs, choose weather-appropriate shoes like waterproof boots if you face grassy or muddy conditions.
Accessories can change your whole look. A quality watch, a stylish yet functional bag (such as a crossbody or a messenger bag), and sunglasses are the perfect accessories that add personality to your outfit while also being practical for a day out. A hat can be both fashionable and useful when the weather demands it.
Before you dress for an art fair, always check the weather forecast. Layering is your most effective plan. A breathable T-shirt or polo under a sweater or cardigan lets you adapt the whole day. A light raincoat or an umbrella may be needed if rain is forecasted.
You might want to dress up a bit if the art fair is in the evening. The daytime polo should be exchanged for a clean shirt and a blazer. Darker colors are usually more appropriate for evening wear, and a silk pocket square or a fine knit tie can improve your appearance for night-time events. Bonus points if you wear a print by the artist like Zachary Weiss did with the Kusama print blazer above!
Abigail MacFadden • May 10, 2024 •
3 min read
Demi Dubois-Moreau • May 9, 2024 •
3 min read
Demi Dubois-Moreau • May 2, 2024 •
7 min read
Demi Dubois-Moreau • Apr 25, 2024 •
7 min read
Demi Dubois-Moreau • April 19, 2024 •
3 min read
Abigail MacFadden • April 10, 2024 •
5 min read
Sarwat M. • April 3, 2024 •
3 min read
Abigail MacFadden • April 1, 2024 •
3 min read
Abigail MacFadden • March 15, 2024 •
3 min read
Jocelyn McEvers • March 13, 2024 •
3 min read
Jocelyn McEvers • March 9, 2024 •
7 min read
Abigail MacFadden • March 5, 2024 •
5 min read
M Marki • March 1, 2024 •
3 min read
