Music festival fashion for kids!

My husband and I brought our son, Rocco, to his first music festival when he was only 18 months old and it was the best time he'd ever had in his life. When he got ice cream all over his adorable little hipster outfit pretty early in the day, I was laughingly mortified to have to switch him into Christmas pyjamas (it was June), which were the only other thing I'd brought, thinking I'd put them on him in the car for the drive home. Turns out his Xmas-baby-raver-PJ look was even more appropriate for the festival, got bigger reactions from passersby, and was even more comfy for jamming out like you really don't care — which, for kids, is actually authentic.

So, of all the times you can let your kid wear the kookiest thing they want, a music festival is it. Capes — YES! Costumes — YES! Just keep in mind that you're in for a long day and you'll need some fun but functional items as well. Here are some of my picks you can shop right now if you're headed to this weekend's super duper family friendly CBC Music Festival at Echo Beach in Toronto.

Headphones

I use these on both my boys at music and sports events to protect their little ears. The comfortable, soft cushion cups mean they never try to take them off, which is perfect because little ears do find things "too loud!"

Baby Banz Boys Baby Earmuffs for 0 to 2 years, $34.99, Best Buy

Hats

You've gotta protect those baby heads from the sun too! I'm always on the hunt for cool hats for my sons and they're not that easy to find for infants and small toddlers, especially if you want a more adult look without cartoons or weird characters on the rim. I usually go for Canadian sports teams but my latest score is this lightweight, adjustable camo trucker hat, with sizes for infants, toddlers and kids, made by a mom in California and available in Canada via Mini Mioche.

Green Camo Trucker Hat, $38, Mini Mioche

Kicks

The iconic Adidas Stan Smiths were first released in 1971 and are still a classic. The kids' version has the same leather upper with the printed Stan Smith logo on the tongue, but with velcro straps for easy on and off.

Adidas Kids Stan Smiths, $60, Mini Mioche

Also wearable for boys and girls, though sized for girls, these faux leather sandals are perfect for hot feet, with anything — 'holographic' is a neutral, didn't you know?

Purple/metallic Sandals, $24.99, H&M

Statement pieces

If you want your kid to look cooler than even the hippest adult, pretty much everything from awesome Canadian baby brand Bébé Fête is perfect for festival season. These '80s hip hop-vibe selections are made from 70% bamboo and 30% cotton, for 0 months to 4 years old and they also have raccoon patterns for all you 416-ers.

"Off the Chain" Hoodie Dress, "Born Famous" Hoodie Romper, "Bottle Service" Black T-shirt, $38-$59, Bébé Fête

Leopard is also pretty much a neutral at this point. Check out these versatile and comfortable leggings for that come in a two-pack with a polka dot pair as well. They're 95% cotton, machine washable and super stylish, I wish I could squeeze into the largest size (9-10Y) myself!

Leopard Print Leggings, $17.99, H&M

Feminism for all! 25% of the proceeds of this t-shirt design, currently produced by Otherwild, are donated to Planned Parenthood. The shirt is 100% cotton, comes in both white and black, and as a onesie. The original design was first made for Labyris Books, the first women's bookstore in NYC in the early '70s.

The Future is Female T-shirt, $48, Drake General Store

Something fancy

Channeling Feist for this one. This metallic, pleated emerald dress with cut-out shoulder and bow details will make your little one feel like a rock star. And they are one.

Pleated Green Dress for girls sizes 6 to 8, $25.90, Zara

We all know your kid is gonna such a good time wearing this tiered tulle skirt with pink glitter, elasticized waistband and My Little Pony appliqué and that it will become the thing they never want to take off and start wearing absolutely everywhere. And just imagine it with a little jean jacket and some kids' Converse!  

Pink/My Little Pony Tulle Skirt sizes 1 ½ to 10 years, $17.99, H&M

PJs!

Yes, the Xmas PJs were a hit, but this year I'll go a little more seasonal — and Canadian! These onesies feature everyone from Margaret Atwood to Drake to Justin Trudeau and are available in sizes for babies and adults, so the whole family could match (which my husband would love) but I'll keep it to the boys for now. (We are big on PJs that double as cool outfits, btw.)

Arborist Kids Pop Icon Onesie, $39.95, Baby Pop Icon Onesie, $34.95, Drake General Store

Something matchy

If you do want to do some family matching, Zara has a great new selection of mummy and me looks right now that are more fashion photo shoot than awkward family photo shoot.

Dress with Cap Sleeves for 3 months to 3 years, $39.90, Embroidered Top, $45.90, Zara

Comfortable layers

I bought this for Rocco because I wanted him to look like the kind of baby who watches The National. This nod to Canada's public broadcaster is also great for a long day at a festival because it's the coziest, French terry cotton number, that you can bring along everywhere to layer on for changing weather.

CBC Kid Print Sweatshirt $48 and Sweatpants $42, Drake General Store

Top layers

Speaking of layering, your kid's jacket is the final festival statement layer and I think both of these options, with their fun details and appliqués and practical hood options can be worn for boys or girls and can last a really long time since the look right now is oversized.

Parka with Slogan sized for boys 5 to 14 years olds, $59.90, Zara

Parka with Smiley Face Patches sized for girls 5 to 14 years old, $49.90, Zara

This psychedelic shimmery jacket in a glossy, woven fabric has so many practical, adjustment options like a detachable hood, you're going to pray for rain to show off your festival fashion score.

Shimmering Rain Jacket, $49.99, H&M

Costumes

Lovelane designs is Instagram famous for its empowering costumes for girls. They have the most whimsical retro costume concepts that can be easily layered on top of your child's regular outfit, so you're not compromising comfort or warmth. Think amazing capes and hats, and belts and cuffs, like this Green flying super hero set and Lava dragon wings and hat set.

Baby Tiger Cape and Bloomer Set, $70.60, Lovelanedesigns.com

Sunglasses

I spent more than half an hour trying to find these online for myself with no luck. Whatever lucky kid gets to wear these rainbow retro sunglasses to this weekend's CBC Music Festival is my style icon.

Small Round Rainbow Sunglasses by Loose Leaf Eyewear, $16.20, Nordstrom Kids