As a Los Angeles resident, I start plotting my next desert escape at the start of every new year. Over the years, I've done just about every desert excursion California has to offer—caravanned with friends to music festivals in Indio, day-tripped to Palm Springs for a quick vintage-furniture run, and booked boutique hotel stays in La Quinta with my husband. The desert is one of my happy places. But dressing for it? That's another story. If you've been to the desert, you know the heat is no joke, and if you're heading to a music festival, your outfit needs to be both practical and cute enough for a pic. Enter Who What Wear's fashion director and native Arizonan, Michaela Bushkin, who has desert dressing down to a science. "I love a Western theme," she tells me. "Whether I'm in the Southwest, at a festival, or even dressing for après-ski, I always tap into a Western aesthetic. A cowboy hat, boots, a bolero necklace, even stitching on a top or jeans—I love it all."
This year, Michaela's reaching for new lightweight styles from Levi's®, including pieces from the brand's Linen+ Denim collection—a game-changer for those who don't want to ditch denim in the heat. The lightweight linen and linen-blend pieces keep you cool and chic. "When temps are extra hot, keep your layers light and breezy," Michaela says. "I'd also recommend ditching the cowboy boots in favor of sandals and putting your hair up in a top knot." Below, see the looks Michaela is styling this season. Trust me—they'll win you compliments IRL and in your comment section.
"I'm from Arizona, so I'm kind of an expert in dressing for the desert or any other hot, dry climate. Lightweight fabrics are your best friend, so keep that in mind if you're planning a road trip out West or heading to a music festival. I love a matching set, so this look was a no-brainer. It makes getting dressed so quick and easy, and I don't have to stress about looking put-together. This one comes with a built-in belt to sweeten the deal, but you can remove it and wear your own, which is what I did. I love this set's rich brown hue. It reminds me of the earth tones you find in the desert mountains. I styled it with black cowboy boots and a hat to lean into the Western vibe, but I'll also wear it with slides and a shoulder bag around the city on the weekend." — Michaela Bushkin, fashion director
"I'm not usually a jean-shorts girl because I often find them too short or uncomfortable, but the length of these is perfect for spring and summer, and the material is much softer than any pair I own. I styled them with these cool two-tone cowboy boots and this Levi's® cropped denim shirt, which has stitching and button details that give it a subtle Western touch. Expect to see me in this look on my trip to Montana this summer. It's giving 'this is not my first rodeo.' These shorts are so versatile. I love how their length complements a pair of tall boots. However, will I throw these in my suitcase for beach vacations to wear with sandals and a bikini? Absolutely. Will I wear them around the city with loafers and a T-shirt? Also yes. The possibilities are endless." — Bushkin
