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Obviously this isn’t the event for formal dresses and heels, but that is no excuse to ditch your sense of style all together next Friday and cover up with a poncho and Birkenstocks.

Take some tips from the CUI's Kelsey Anne Lindsey on 4/20 fashion. (CU Independent Illustration/Chelsea Shettler)

Think of 4/20 as an opportunity to test out those crazy spring fashion trends you have been dying to try, after all, who is going to judge on a day where thousands gather religiously to celebrate the qualities (albeit unique qualities) of a plant?

For females, the outfit of the day will be anything shapeless and tie-dyed, but why not try to class things up a little bit? Embrace the spring fashion trend of tone-on-tone outfits with a bright orange floor length skirt and loose peach top, or if you are feeling daring replace the blouse with a lacy crop tank.

The need for flowery prints can be quelled with floral print skinnies or shorts, with a solid sweater or tank (who knows which one you will need with this crazy Colorado weather) on top.

Tie-front blouses are popular this spring, so why not layer one with a funky tribal print over striped bottoms? Just make sure the two pieces have corresponding colors or you’ll look like you started celebrating the day long before you decided to get dressed.

Common 4/20 accessories include bangles, feathers and natural stones — anything with a price tag over ten dollars should stay in the safety of your jewelry box. Have fun with unique hair accessories, as they can serve a dual purpose of both fashion statements and identifiers for your friends to find you in the hazy mass on Norlin Quad.

Neutral colored feathers or even a bright streak of pink or purple in the hair are totally acceptable for the day, but please, for everyone else’s sake, refrain from going overboard. A plume of feathers or a head of red are two looks that are hard to pull off, so consider saving them for the expertise of Lady Gaga and Nicki Minaj.

Putting flowers in your hair might add an air of innocence to your demeanor, which could come in handy with any unfortunate encounters with Boulder PD. But again, try to rein in your impulses to top your outfit off with an enormous crown of daisies—you’re going to be at Norlin Quad to enjoy the activities of the day, not to lead a wedding procession by tossing flowers in the aisle.

Headscarfs, headwraps and headbands (pretty much anything with the word “head” in the preface) are all fun ways to embrace the laid-back spirit of the day.

A big bag might be useful in carrying all your “recreational” smoking materials and adding a pop of color to a monotone outfit. To all the males not wild about the idea of carting around a purse all day, there are always travel money belts, fanny-pack style wallets that are easily concealed under a loose shirt and are the perfect size to stash all your goodies from suspecting eyes.

On a more practical note, remember that there will be a lot of sitting, mostly in pow-wow style circles, and on grass or dirt. This means skipping the short skirts and dresses unless you want to be supplementing the spectacle around you with your own private show, and bringing a towel to avoid awkward stains on the derrière.

Most importantly, do not wear anything that can’t be easily washed or dry-cleaned, as the sweet perfume of 4/20 is one that will cling to any type of garment, refusing to leave unless faced with repeated washings.

So have fun, be safe, and most of all be stylish on this unofficial Boulder holiday.

Contact CU Independent Staff Writer Kelsey Anne Lindsey at Kelsey.a.lindsey@colorado.edu.