As much as we consider ourselves leaders and not followers, when it comes to daring style choices, it always helps to have a bit of encouragement before we try them out for ourselves. We’ll sometimes get that through the people we pass on the way to work, the fashionable women we follow on Instagram, or, you know, R29. But for the past two weeks, we found it in spades at SXSW. Real girls — tons of them — in daring, cool, sometimes not-for-the-faint-of-heart looks that have us planning a flattering case of imitation.Together with Neiman Marcus, we’ve lined up the 30 outfit ideas we’re most excited to try. We’re not saying we’d jump off a bridge just because these girls did it first…but to be fair, we're liking the direction they're headed. Click on for all the best takeaways from Austin, besides the festival itself.
We've heard of matching your shoes to your bag, but your sunnies to your dress? Perhaps that's even better.
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Photographer Chuck Grant and R29's own Piera Gelardi both showcase long silhouettes: one in the form of a knit, colorful maxi-skirt and the other in dark florals.
Holographic handbags > most other handbags.
Clearly someone's found her muse.
Silky sleepwear as festival wear: We're into it.
A refreshing one-strap-overalls look that doesn't instantly read as '90s.
We give props to anyone who can make a bolo tie look this glamorous.
Stars and stripes leopard print forever!
DJs Leslie Kirchhoff and Hannah Bronfman in a body-skimming silhouette and a lot o' fringe, respectively.
Mega celeb, mega glowy Kate Bosworth might not be like every other real girl, but we're into any look that gives a rhinestone cowboy a run for his boots.
Frilly cold shoulders, so hot right now.
BRB, swapping our shades for round ombré ones.
All it takes to recreate this effortlessly cool ensemble is a little something oversized, a little something ripped, and a little handkerchief.
It's the cutoff vest and super-chunky heels that make this jumpsuit look next-level.
Something for the minimalist who also has a wild side.
The perfect striped tee and cutoff shorts look goes a bit further with supersized sunnies.
And a badass beauty look to boot.
Besides serving a straight-up power pose, we love the billowy shape of her simple yet statement-making top.
Even if you only swear by black clothing, take a cue from this oh-so-clever use of monochrome texture.
Piera once again shows us the art of artfully mixed prints.
St. Lucia’s Patti Beranek's crop top and necklace lineup is pretty damn clever.
Hat envy, 12 o'clock.
Accessory game on. point.
Becca McCharen slays in a Chromat bustier top and business-ready blazer. What else?
Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?
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