By Colleen Jurkiewicz, Hannah Becker and Kaitlyn Farmer   Published Jul 06, 2013 at 3:01 PM Photography: Stephen Seftar

Music isn’t the only reason to go to Summerfest. As far as people-watching goes, it’s the best 11 days all year. You never know who you’re going to see and what they’re going to be wearing. As far as fashion, it’s anything goes for the Big Gig. But there were a few noticeable trends this year. Let’s break them down for you.

The high-waisted look
Compliments to Katy Perry. This season, the shelves are stocked with pieces that give you the cinched-waist physique of a post-war pinup. Low-riders are so last year, girls. For summer 2013, it’s all about leaving a little mystery – but don’t get the wrong idea; this trend isn’t about modesty. Most of the shorts are also cut pretty high, and the popular colors seem to be bold reds, blues and greens. Most Summerfestinistas also preferred to pair the look with a crop top for maximum skin exposure.

Business in the back, party in the front
Sometimes known as "the mullet skirt" these asymmetrical short-in-front, long-in-back skirts and dresses are reminiscent of the fishtail evening gowns of the Roaring 20s. The Gatsby throwback look is white-hot right now, so it’s no surprise that this trend was all over the place on the Summerfest grounds this year. But proceed with caution – it’s a daring look, and even, at times, a polarizing one. Just search "mullet skirt" on Twitter and you’ll see what we mean. Some people consider this trend the perfect, breezy summer mash-up of drama and informality – and some people, not so much. 

Short-shorts and tight tank tops
Less of a trend than a uniform, actually. We hesitate to call this look "timeless," because that calls to mind images of Jackie Kennedy, who we think would probably never, ever wear short-shorts. Let’s just say this look is ubiquitous. Whether it’s 2003 or 2013, you’re sure to see the Summerfest grounds swarming with girls sporting the obligatory summer-in-Wisconsin look. And can you blame them? Our Wisconsin summer months are so fleeting, not everyone wants to invest in a chic new wardrobe, and every girl has that old pair of shorts and tattered tank in the closet. And after all, it’s a music festival – some of us just want to be casual.

Cowboys and cowgirls
Yee-haw. This look isn’t just for country night. Sure, the Marcus Amphitheater was stuffed to the gills with cowboy boots and hats for Jason Aldean, Luke Bryan and Tim McGraw, but studded leather was all over the place even on other nights. When the grounds were at their fullest, all you could view on the famous sky glider was multi-colored cowboy hats.

There’s just something about the summer weather, the lakefront and beer that makes Milwaukee want to get a little bit country. The more daring among these cowboys threw in a denim jacket, too (is it just us, or is that making a comeback?), but if not, this trend could most often be seen paired with the shorts and tank look. The most surprising trend from the country fans was the many men and women wearing overalls with their boots and hat.

Balloon hats for kids
Thanks to the Kohl’s Design It! Lab, the tots of Summerfest were sporting these helium chapeaux left and right. And more than one oversized yellow mustache was spotted on the grounds, too.

Stripes and color
From maxi skirts to T-shirts, stripes are where it’s at this season, putting the final nail in the coffin on the theory that it’s an unflattering look. And even though Summerfest had a few days of dark and dreary weather, the festival was far from bleak with the bright outfits people were wearing, which featured colors from every span of the rainbow, from colorful tops to vibrant bottoms. Plain black band tees and the typical blue jeans were hardly found; neon shirts and colorful short shorts were by far the most popular this year. The few people wearing plain black tended to wear color-popping lipstick or jewelry.

A little bit country, a little bit rock n’ roll
The fashion at Summerfest also had the potential to range depending on which artist was performing that day. Whenever big names in country were at the Marcus Amphitheater, the cowboy look was the rule of the day. On the night that Alice Cooper performed a handful of attendees were spotted dressed as the rock legend himself. Even the night that Pitbull took the stage there was a Mr. Worldwide impersonator with an entourage of what appeared to be his "security."

Diplo and Pretty Lights drew fans wearing Grassroots hats and Kandi bracelets. And no matter who was on stage, you were sure to see a few awesome homemade fan shirts. Who wants to spend $30 at the merch tent when you can make your own?