Welcome to 2016 Common Ground Country Fair style!

It's good to be back with more dirt-path style at the fair that celebrates rural living and all things organic, right in my home county of Waldo, Maine. So grateful to my co-contributor Hannah, who took this year off from snapping pics to just enjoy herself, but who recently posted her pics from LAST year, so get ready for a plethora of new style inspiration below!

As always, your comments and feedback are most appreciated, so please get in touch!

One mainstay at the Fair the past few years has been this cool tintype photo booth from AgNO3Lab, a band of Portland-based anarcho-punk-craft types. This is the shot they took of me and my guy in our Saturday outfits: we're pretty pleased with how steampunk we look without even trying!

Like Magic

I saw a lot of great style at the Common Ground Country Fair this year, as always, but this person was my absolute favorite. Shawl cardigan! Layered lace petticoats! Antlers (from the same artist who made mine; see below)! Combat boots! The whole effect is simply magical. 

The Shins

Something quite unique in this combo, between the fringed scarf, the fitted classic jean jacket, and the cuffed cut-offs over neon tights layered with thick socks and even thicker fur boots. Bravo!

Mix n' Match

Mom's got a shearling-ish vest with Nordic trim, a stripey skirt and snowflake leggings; baby's in camo and floral. So much to love here. 

Guided by Voices

Though this man looks fantastic, this isn't exactly fashion--he is dressed for his actual job, in the traditional uniform of a registered Maine Guide. But what a uniform it is, and he's clearly making it his own with flair. 

Like mother, like daughter

This is my dear friend, who always, ALWAYS looks amazing. She is usually channeling a 70s groupie rock n' roll vibe, and she knits most of her own colorful clothes. She is a total inspiration to me. Here she is with her equally stunning daughter: both are beautiful inside and out. 

A Country Gentleman

This fine man is my husband. He has worn this leather Minnetonka hat for years now, and is almost never without a wool sweater vest, even in summer. Love the buffalo check-houndsooth mash-up here, and his ripped pants.

Kilted hottie

Very proud that this stud is mine. He picked out his own outfit, too! Who doesn't love as guy in a kilt and leather suspenders?! (By the way, many people asked if this is a Utility Kilt. It's not--it's a Trinity Kilt, without cargo pockets but still very sturdy and made of nice twill.)

My "free folk" look

Or is that freak folk? Both, really. The cutie in the kilt got me these hand-carved resin antlers at a previous fair, and the artist was there again this year, though I never found him. (That happens at the Common Ground Fair! It's so big!) You can't really see them, but I'm wearing Maine-made earrings constructed from feather, fur and bone, and my "goddess belt" was made and bought in Oregon from reclaimed leather. When you've got this much going on with accessories, basic black seems wise for the clothes. 

At heart, I'm a hippie

And this is what I wore on Sunday, when I went back for my regular stint at the Info Booth. Used but new floppy wool hat that kept blowing off in the wind, Maine-made beaded Native earrings and my prized vintage 60s real sheepskin vest from Australia via Etsy (people kept saying, "Wow, you look warm!" but in fact I was still chilly!) over a cotton lace top.

Unexpected Layers

It was chilly at the Fair this year, especially first thing in the morning, when I caught this woman on line for the vintage tractor ride on to the grounds. Such an  unusual combination of layers and colors here!

Bright Family

Woah. I can't even decode everything that's happening in this hip  mama's get-up,  from the Kool-Aid hair color to the neon socks over print leggings, and part of why I can't take it all in is because ON TOP OF HER OUTFIT is an even more incredible outfit, on her baby! The dad is a cool counterpoint in his minimalist color palette. 

Hula Loops

This definitely was an on-trend look for 2016 Common Ground Fair style: the knit hat, looped scarf, mini-over-leggings and boots outfit was quite prevalent. I admire the color combinations on this one, as well as her slouchy oversized sweatshirt.

Mute/unmute

Check out how cleverly this person combines muted, neutral tones of tan and brown with the wild patterns of her wide-leg pants and floral mud boots. The people around us when I requested this shot all agreed that this was some pretty amazing style.

Cool Carhartt Couple

There's a fun story with this one. I loved these two in their matching trucker caps, work pants, and plaid flannel. When I asked to take their photo, they laughed, saying that they had thrown together these outfits at the last minute. A couple days later, I got an email from this woman, who requested a copy of the photo, because it turns out these two utility-attired lovebirds were recently reunited, having once been childhood sweethearts. Gotta love romance in workwear!

Cool & the Gang

Such a happy, sweet group of stylish folks! I myself don't have the courage to revisit certain 80s trends I lived through the first time (including geometric-print sweaters and fanny packs), but I love to see the young hipsters do it! 

Goth girl

It's great that we can only see the word CRAFT on this girl's shirt, because she is so rocking the 90s Wicca look. Look at the buckles on the skirt, the platform combat boots, the matte lipstick and the fishnets! She's committing to it! So awesome!

Stripes n' lace

This young woman seemed like's always ready for an OOTD shot! She even took off her outerwear and handed it to her mom before she posed. I don't know that I'd ever think to match lace tights with a similarly-autumnal hued mini dress, but I ADORE it. 

Barefoot Lass

I saw a few people barefoot at this year's Fair, which is pretty brave, if you ask me, between the booted crowd and the horse manure! This woman has a really cool First Nations thing happening, with a buckskin skirt, tiny-basket-as-necklace and water gourd.  There are lots of amazing Native artisans at the Fair each year.

My old man

This happy couple is doing a wonderful interpretation of 70s back-to-the-lander hippie style, with her big round sunglasses, denim wrap skirt, bandana headband, poncho-style cardigan and Bean boots. And it's always fashionable to wear a volunteer Common Ground t-shirt! Her accessory isn't bad, either--I like his straw hat. 

Lumberjacqueline

Great combination of crown braids, plaid shirt buttoned to the neck, high-waist denim mini and hiking boots!

In Rainbows

Let's end with this delightful being. Love the modern take on a 90s club kid, with the shiny bomber jacket, rainbow striped top, black tights and Docs. The fresh flower wreath gives it a nice rural touch!

It's good to be back! See you guys next year for more Common Ground Country Fair rural Maine festival style!

Welcome to Common Ground 2015!

Like Arielle, I didn't get around to posting my pics after the fair last year, but she encouraged me to do it now, even if it's late. I took a year off for 2016, but I'll be back next year with more pictures!
(Taking pictures means you forget to get pictures of yourself, but here's the best example I had of my outfit last year. Getting some rest from all the walking!)

It was a little hard to get everyone looking in the same direction for a picture, but the overalls and slouchy sweater deserved attention. 

Fiber Arts Fashion

There are a lot of dreads at the fair, and scarves too. This was a particularly nice case of both.

Comfortable Style

I think the most fun part of photographing people is seeing their reaction to being told they're going to go on a style blog. Now and then someone says no, but mostly, people are surprised and a little pleased. There's a lot of slightly embarrassed posing and blushing. It's cute.
But this guy's beautiful hair and laid-back style. So cool. 

Button Collection

The fringed leather boots, the scarf and plaid shirt, and the bracelets were already a sweet look, but the buttons on her bag made me really stop and look. A pretty great collection.

The Garden Parade

We can't forget the Garden Parade, featuring some of the best in vegetable fashion, and some very enthusiastic children. Sometimes very enthusiastic adults, too. I was a cabbage this year (2016).

Pedich Edhellen?

Such an elfin look, I had to break out the Sindarin. I love her color combinations and the overall rugged elegance of her fashion choices. Clearly someone we should all be friends with.

The Clash at Common Ground

This particular combination of colors and textures might not be something I would have put together, but standing out in the crowd at Common Ground is an accomplishment, and she achieved it. 

(Confession: she's one of my best friends.)

Edwardian Lady

Her beautiful pigeon-breasted shirtwaist and skirt really stood out in the crowd. Her companion seemed very eager to promote her style, too!

Excellent Boots.

Stars

This fellow's mirrored sweatshirt design and glasses were eye-catching.

Layered Pants

Balkan Beauty

I love these women and their beautiful music, dancing, and traditional clothing. Every year I manage to miss most of their dancing. Goal for next year: do not miss the Balkan dancing.

And Finally...

This plaid queen. Happy Fair, everyone!