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Soap, baking soda and other things that will keep you looking fresh when you’ve spent the weekend in a tent.

Festivals, car shows, conventions and road trips are fun. But they often come with a side dish of camping or sleeping in your car. Here are a few tips that will help you avoid that looks that screams “I’ve just slept in my clothes”.

Choose clothes that will travel well. That means clothes will look good after rolling around in your bag for a day or two. Avoid anything that will crease or stain easily. Dress for the event you’re attending and the weather, not the weather you are hoping for.
If it is an outdoor even you might encounter mud, unpleasant toilets, dust and get dirty. It might be a good idea to leave the “dry clean only” items at home.
Glam up your outfit with accessories instead. Scarves, belts, jewelry and hair flowers can make the difference between festival chic and looking like an extra on Lost .

What will everyone else be wearing? Browse the web for photos from previous events to get an idea of what people are wearing. Then you can decide if you wanna dress to fit in with the crowd or stand out.

What’s up with the weather? Will you need an umbrella, sunscreen, boots or a warm sweater? Check the weather forecast before you leave.

Before you put your clothes in your bag, lay everything out on your bed. An overview of what you’re bringing and help you see if you’re packing the right things. It’s a good strategy if you have a tendency to pack too much.

Even if you’re only going for the day, bring an extra t-shirt or top and a pair of socks. A quick change be the difference between going home early and staying for the after party.

Pack your clothes in garment bags or plastic bags. Divide your clothes by category; t-shirts and tops, underwear and socks, sweaters and cardigans or trousers. You can also divide you clothes by outfit or day.
Packing your clothes in garment bags will make it easier to find what you’re looking for when you’re digging around in your bag. Plastic bags will also keep your clothes dry when you’re camping out in a damp festival area. Bring an empty bag for your dirty laundry so your sweaty old socks won’t stink up your clean stuff.

A good hair day can make all the difference, as can a good dry shampoo. Just spray it on your hair, run a brush through it and it’s almost like you just washed it. I use Dirty Secret from TIGI’s Rockaholic but my friend and hair stylist Ylva swears by plain old baking soda.

And don’t forget the basics. A towel, soap, toothbrush, some toothpaste and a bottle of clean water will go a long way when you need to freshen up in the morning.