The return of the Minnesota State Fair is officially upon us, and with it, the annually dreaded question: what to wear to one of the state’s most highly anticipated, heavily attended (and oftentimes, unbearably sun-scorched) events? This year, we’re turning to local boutiques for our answer. From Larissa Loden‘s Pronto Pup-inspired earrings to Made in Minn’s local slang-embroidered trucker hats, state fair-themed collections are sweeping the Twin Cities this summer, and their designs stand as a tangible representation of the pride entrepreneurs have in their home state.
With weather, occasion, and of course, festivity in mind, we’ve compiled some of our top local picks to present you with the quintessential State Fair lookbook.
For the Bling: Larissa Loden
If you ask us, the fair is the perfect occasion to lean into the season-defining trend of food-inspired accessories and patterns (what better way to style a hot dog-embossed graphic tee than with a Pronto Pup in hand?). And apparently, Larissa Loden agrees. The local accessory boutique just released a State Fair-inspired collection titled “Foodie Cutie” and it looks almost good enough to eat. We’re endorsing the “dill-icious” 18k gold-plated pickle studs and the mix-and-matchable 18k enamel-plated milk and cookie studs as our picks for the event.
For the Grandstand: Evereve
With names like Jon Pardi and Blake Shelton gracing the Grandstand Stage this August, and annually anticipated events like the Bull & Barrels Championship and the Horse Show series returning to the Lee & Rose Warner Coliseum, the State Fair is the perfect excuse to break in a fresh pair of cowboy boots. Find your match at Minnesota-founded women’s boutique Evereve, where brands like Vince Camuto and Dolce Vita offer Western-inspired footwear that is both charming and versatile. We’re impartial to Dolce Vita’s effortless Raj knee-highs (perfect for pairing with a breezy sundresses), but the August heat may necessitate the equally chic Vince Camuto Abel ankle booties. Grandstand-goers can pair their footwear with Retro Brand Black Label’s bright and punchy “Support Live Music” graphic tee to complete the look.
To Shade the Sun (in style): Made in Minn
Local apparel brand Made in Minn is welcoming a victorious return of the trucker hat with its state fair-inspired gear collection, which offers a heartwarming (and delightfully punny) ode to the very best of the Great Minnesota Get-Together. Choose from hand-embroidered catchphrases like “Here for the Corn” and “You’re My Little Moo Thang” to curate the ultimate photo op and bring an air of festivity at your State Fair appearance.
To Top it Off: Bench Pressed
If there’s one thing local gift shop Bench Pressed specializes in, it’s the details. Housing six vintage presses in its Minneapolis studio, the inventive shop loves to design, print, and package accessories that catch the eye. And with pieces like the beer pint-embossed ankle socks, they certainly succeed. Wear a subtle nod to some of your State Fair favorites with their playful, foodie-inspired picks, including the embroidered “Hot Dogs” hat, the lemon hair claw (a tribute the Midwest’s favorite lemonade), and the perfectly shameless “Butter” hat.
