If those black concert tees at Ozzy Osborne's Ozzfest scare you, and the sporty baseball-cap-and-jeans look dotting the Dave Matthews Band's rocking tour doesn't cut it either, go directly to Lilith, the only summer-music fest offering sounds and sartorial splendor. The standouts among the performers include Missy Elliott's Hefty bag-style suits and Natalie Merchant's colorfully banded Cynthia Rowley skirts, but the looks of the music listeners are just as mighty. Here's a snapshot of what you'll see at this year's shows:
-- THE (NATTILIEST) MERCHANTS A whole mini-mall of hip vendors accompanies Lilith on tour, selling henna tattoos, butterfly hair ornaments, and navy crepe dresses embroidered with solar designs. You'll find the most harmonic convergence at a booth hawking a new line of en-lightened enamels called Goddess. According to company vice president Holly Riddel, Sarah McLachlan's favorite is Miriamne, the turquoise-ish color named for a Middle Eastern goddess. And if that's not heavy enough, the bottle ($12, 888-791-9995) is inscribed with the affirmation ''Peace be in my thoughts, my words, and in my actions.'' Call it the ultimate in higher Girl Power.
-- THE UNIFORM Yes, there is a Lilith outfit. The 1998 dress code includes black leather platform sandals, baggy khakis, Abercrombie & Fitch tank tops, and pale blue cardigans. But some fresher style statements are on the verge of a breakthrough: Look for African-inspired chokers, cream-colored knit caps, and ethnic dresses in bold dyes and prints. Basically, everything but Erykah Badu turbans.
-- THE 'DO Slightly devilish twists with random topknots are the hottest style among the multitude of teens flocking to Lilith. Seen previously on such non-Lilith celebs as Gwen Stefani, Scary Spice, and Bjork, it lacks a name but not an attitude. ''It expresses a lot of independence,'' says Bergdorf Goodman hairstylist John Barrett. ''It's basically saying 'I can just throw my hair like this and it's fine. I can do whatever I like.' '' Lilith herself would approve.
