A VCFS GUIDE TO FESTIVAL SEASON

After two long years of cancellations, postponements, and virtual events, festival season is finally upon us again! It goes without saying that being immersed in live music for a weekend is exciting enough, but the thrill of travelling, choosing outfits, and snapping pictures in a festival context isn’t lost on anyone either. With all the moving parts that festival season encompasses, preparation can grow overwhelming regardless of whether you’re a festival newbie or making your comeback after the COVID hiatus. Either way, there’s no need to panic; we’ve got you covered with the VCFS guide to festival season!

CHECK THE WEATHER

There’s nothing worse than spending months curating the perfect festival outfit only to realise you forgot to bring a hoodie or jacket to shield you from the rain. Check the forecast in advance to get a better sense of the shoes, outerwear, and camping supplies you’ll need so you can spend less time waiting in line for a waterproof poncho and more time enjoying the music.

GET CREATIVE WITH YOUR FITS

If you’re looking to make the most of your weekend, you have to dress the part. If nothing from your rotation of go-to clothing stores speaks to you, try DIY-ing a top you own or thrift something! Not only will your fits be more sustainably sourced this way, but you’ll be guaranteed to have something unique to you amongst the crowd of festival goers.

While some trends will always be en vogue for festival season, (hello, statement sunglasses and bold makeup!) there are a few things to steer clear of. Think high heels, expensive bags, and most importantly, cultural appropriation. Picking and choosing certain aspects of another culture for your outfit’s sake is insensitive and harmful towards minority groups. If you don’t belong to the culture you’re borrowing styles from, or if you’re unsure if your look is culturally insensitive, it's best to just wear something else.

MAKE A PLAN

With multiple stages hosting different acts simultaneously at most festivals, it’s simply not feasible to catch every performance on the bill. Decide on a few main sets you want to see and plan your trek across the grounds accordingly. This way, your time at the festival isn’t spent running around trying to find your favourite band, only to catch their encore when you arrive.

PREPARE FOR YOUR RETURN HOME

While many people deem festival season the highlight of their year, it’s no doubt a tiring run. Standing in the heat or rain for hours on end combined with sleeping in makeshift beds can wreak havoc on your energy levels. Before you head out for your festival adventures, make sure your pantry is stocked and your bed is made at home. You’ll be thanking yourself when you come back. Lastly, make sure you have a safe way of getting home, whether that’s a designated driver or a ride-share app. Safety is always your biggest priority, so make sure you have a plan to get home, or share your location with a trusted friend.

There you have it, VCFS’s guide to festival season. Whether you’re staying in the country or going overseas, crashing in a hotel, or camping on site, or consider yourself a seasoned pro vs. festival amateur, we hope you keep this guide around for your next festival adventure!