bro, take me back to CFG.
My first ever CFG (lowkey I wish I went last year because the lineup was better) and I am shaking in my nonexistent boots. I’m not even mad because I was part of the first group of people to hear Chromakopia by Tyler, the Creator, live and in concert.
The rumors and stereotypes are true- Camp Flog Gnaw is a fit-off. A lot of people talk about how Tyler fans have drip and can dress really well, but on the other end of that spectrum is the idea that Tyler fans just dress like Tyler (who objectively dress very well) and they’re just copying his style. Well… yes and no, because both of those statements are true. What ever happened to nuance!! Two things can be true at the same time. All this to say, yes, I was kind of intimidated by how I was going to be perceived at CFG.
I had to show up and show out- not just for the festival, but for myself- I devoted the entire month of October and the first half of November to DIYing all my tops for CFG. My first shirt was inspired by a pin I saw of someone resewing the sleeves of a gingham button up into a strip of fabric that was tied into a bow. Not necessarily Tyler, the Creator coded but it was the vibe I was going for. Something simple, but also fun to look at from a visual standpoint. I’ve become obsessed with gingham as of late- reminds me of a picnic tablecloth, something you could bring to go CAMPING (SEE WHAT I DID THERE).
My day two outfit without question had to be a crocheted fit. I had a bunch of this old cotton yarn I got on clearance and the texture was like… bumpy? Very much not the type of yarn I wanted to use to make a form fitting top. SO INSTEAD, I decided to make a cardigan. The benefit of knowing how to make your own clothing is the fact that you can just come up with an idea and get started, as opposed to sifting through piles and racks of clothing at the thrift store. Wait… is the uprise of slow fashion a recession indicator…
Decided on a simple granny hexagon cardigan with flared sleeves, with the color palette being light blue, turquoise, sage green, and beige. While shopping for some potential outfits, I came across a bunch of button up cardigans with a wide neck, so I kind of wanted to create the same effect, but instead with one giant button at the top. In retrospect, it kind of gives the vibe of a cape, but I wear it all the time so maybe I did something right.
Now, would I wear these pieces again? Yes. Were they the best options for an outdoor festival in mid-November? Not necessarily. Packing nothing but tank tops, a sleeveless button up, and a very breezy cardigan as my only options for tops was probably not my smartest moment, but if anything, it encouraged me to dance more to warm up my body faster. Positives and negatives to everything.
As far as the festival went, the artists I was able to see were so amazing. DOECHIIIIIII!!! This woman is so refreshing, her artistry and stage presence is like no other. Her performance was amazing… Nissan Altima you were robbed of a Grammy, and that’s all I’m gonna say. Other notable artists I saw were Omar Apollo, Faye Webster, Daniel Caesar, Jordan Ward, Raye, Syd, Blood Orange, Tyler, and Mustard. A weekend full of DIY outfits in the mid-November cold, several churros, good music, great company, and enough steps to not exercise for three months, Camp Flog Gnaw 2024 is now a core memory and I will be back next year.
