Last Updated on 6th January 2024
Music festivals are a staple of summer, but they can be intimidating for first-timers. From the loud pumping music to the crowd that swells without warning, there are so many elements that can be off-putting. Especially when scantily clad and separated from our friends in an uncontrollable environment. But this should not prevent you from having an amazing time, so here are our tips on how to dress for music festivals.
What to wear to a music festival?
This is going to be your most important festival clothing decision, and can really vary based on your experience and the expected weather. Here are some basic guidelines to keep in mind.
- Pick comfortable, weather-appropriate clothing. It doesn’t matter if it’s May or August, it can be hot and equally cold at night. Ideally, pick clothing that’s breathable and lightweight, and have layers on hand.
- Some festivals are known for extravagant costumes and brightly coloured outfits, but only wear these if you are comfortable with the attention.
- Wear comfortable shoes. You don’t have to wear high heels to a music festival, and you may be tempted to go bare feet but just be aware of broken glass.
- Take a hat and suntan lotion, and don’t forget to apply sunscreen on the tops of ears and back of the neck. A hat protects your scalp from the sun, keeps you comfortable, and shields your face from the glare of the sky.
- Wear your hair up. Just trust us on this one, sweaty hair is not pleasant. Consider a bandana, but don’t expect to bring it home.
- Dress appropriately for the event. The easiest way is to look at the festival website or social media for pictures from the last event. That will give you a good idea of what the average festival goer is dressing in. After that, it’s all about your own comfort levels.
- Secure your valuables. Crossbody bags like bumbags can be ideal for keeping them close to you and in your eye-sight.
Wear comfortable shoes
It doesn’t matter if you’re wearing your leather boots to a music festival or sneakers to a rave, you’re going to be walking and dancing for a long time. So comfortable footwear is essential. This will help you enjoy your festival experience more, so while heels might give you extra height, put your feet first.
Wear layers and dress for the weather
Depending on the time of year and where you live, it’s likely you will get both too hot or too cold at a music festival. So layer up or keep them close. It will help you stay warm when needed, which will ruin any festivity feeling.
Dress for the weather. When it’s going to be warm, wear lighter-weight, breathable clothing. When it gets cold, wear more heavy-duty, warm clothing. If it’s raining, stay dry if possible. This is why hats or bandanas are essential as they can keep the sun or rain off.
Where to Buy Music Festival Clothing
There are some dedicated retailers for festival and rave wear, and our personal favourite is Devil Walking for those standout outfits which look amazing during the day and come alive in the night-time with UV reactive inks. They are US-based but ship worldwide, so the style is very much Coachella and the epic Electric Daisy Carnival which is right up my street.
Each festival has a different vide, so it helps if you narrow down which ones most closely match your interests. Once you know what type of festival you are attending, then you can start shopping for the right clothing.
