What To Wear To A Music Festival
Anyone who has ever been to a music festival can tell you that it is something that you just have to experience for yourself. There is so much to excite the senses. Apart from some of the best live music in the world, it’s an opportunity to meet new people and be part of a large, exciting crowd. Today’s best music festivals in the world have so much more to offer. Many vendors set up stalls with great food and there are also many more activities than just listening to music.
What to wear to a music festival will depend on a few things. Firstly, is it a one-day event or does it span over several days? Secondly, you simply must check the weather reports. While you can basically get away with wearing anything you like, there are some essentials you simply must wear when you head out to your first, or next, music festival.
Comfortable Footwear
Music festivals can go on for days, but even if you plan on getting to one day of a festival, or you’ve chosen one particular day of an extended festival, you’re going to be spending a lot of time on your feet. Many music festivals feature multiple stages so you may find yourself walking from one stage to another getting in as much musical variety as possible. If you linger at one particular stage, you’re still pretty much going to be on your feet if you want a decent view.
You can expect to do a lot of walking between stages and food stall and although you may sit down for short periods, you’ll spend most of the time on the move. Running shoes or walking shoes are always a good option as they offer comfort and support. Chucks are also a good option and they look cool no matter what else you’re wearing. Sandals or any other flat shoes are also fine, but avoid flip-flops as they can come off your feet. In a large crowd and in the dark, it may be impossible to find a lost flip-flop. Also, as simple as they are to wear, they’re usually not comfortable for an all-day and night occasion.
Denim
If in doubt, denim is always an acceptable music festival look. Put on denim shorts or American made jeans, depending on the weather, and team it with a cool tee. Finish the look with a denim jacket that you can easily tie around your waist during the day and wear at night when it gets cooler.
Keep the denim look casual though. Dressy denim isn’t a music festival look. Instead, go for faded or distressed denim. A few holes in your jeans also won’t look out of place.
Layers
It’s hard to dress for an all-day event no matter what that event might be. A music festival is no different. Deciding what to wear is harder when you know you’ll be baking during the heat of the day and possibly freezing when the cold night air hits.
Layers are always a good option. You can wear shorts and a v-neck t-shirt or tank top during the day and slip on some light cotton pants and a cool vest or field jacket at night. Add or remove layers as needed so you stay comfortable.
Crossbody Bag
A crossbody bag is more about function, but that doesn’t mean it can’t add a personal and cool touch to your outfit. You can take any type of bag, of course, but a crossbody bag is easier to carry as it generally stays in place and, as the bag is in front of you, it’s less likely a pickpocket will try to rummage into your bag and lighten your load.
Don’t get anything too big though. The bag should be big enough to hold and an extra layer of clothing, your wallet and maybe a water bottle.
Protection From The Sun
Summer days are longer than winter ones and you’ll really feel them at a music festival. If you plan on spending the entire day out there, bring along a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen. A wide-brimmed hat can give your outfit a complete and really hip look and it will protect your face from burning. Sunglasses are also as much about eye protection as they are about style and no one sees the sunscreen, but it will prevent you from burning.
Make A Statement
Music festivals are as much about seeing things as they are about being seen. In a large crowd, you may want to make a statement and stand out from the masses. Put on a cool cotton shirt and leave a few top buttons undone. Choose patterns that reflect your personality and team the shirt with cargo pants or denim shorts.
Don’t Overdo It
You may be tempted to go the whole hog and really stand out in the crowd but there is such a thing as “too much”, even at a music festival. You can choose to wear a couple of signature pieces like a novelty hat or some leather wrist bands, but avoid going crazy from head to toe.
Don’t Go Shirtless
Yes, we know. It’s hot and you really feel like peeling off a few layers but music festivals tend to be very crowded and no one is going to appreciate rubbing against slippery sweaty chests. Aside from that, if it is a sunny day and you expose that much skin for the majority of the day, you may really regret it later that evening. Sunburn is no joke and if you planned on spending several days at the festival, a nasty case of sunburn may force you to retreat to an air-conditioned hotel room.
Music festivals are relatively relaxed environments in terms of the dress code, but it’s still good to put in a bit of effort. You never know who you’re going to bump into or who you’re going to meet. Look good and focus on your comfort and make it a music festival worth remembering.
