Festival Fashion Essentials

We have been looking forward to the beginning of summer all year long because of this moment; festival season is finally here! With this blog, make sure you’re ready for the occasion as we run through what your festival packing list should include.

Working our way upwards, you always want to start with a solid but comfy pair of shoes. Over the course of the weekend, you’ll be racking up the steps trekking back and forth to your tent, exploring the main arena, discovering all the amazing areas in the grounds and new artists. Don’t forget to include all the jumping up and down and potential moshing action. You need a pair of shoes that are going to keep your feet protected but also comfortable.

Dr Martens will be perfect for any festival situation! Once you’ve broken in your Docs, these are the most comfortable boots as the leather moulds to your foot. Perfect for if it rains, they’ll not only keep your feet dry, but also give you plenty of grip to cope with any mud thanks to their grooved soles and deep treads! These boots are also ideal for being in a crowd - when someone inevitably steps on your toes, you’ll be protected with a sturdy pair of Dr Martens boots!

With a range of styles available, show off your personality and add to your festival outfits with a pair of Dr Martens. These durable boots are also simple to clean - at the end of the weekend, wipe them down with a damp cloth and give them a little polish if necessary to get them back into tip-top shape! You don’t have to sacrifice a pair of trainers to the festival gods this year.

No matter what kind of festival you’re attending, from indie-rock to heavy metal, we have the perfect festival outfits available for you. Get heads turning as you make your way to the main stage this summer. 

Band t-shirts are, of course, perfect for a festival. Keep it simple whilst showing off your appreciation of music. If you have merch for a band that’s headlining, even better! We have plenty of Sleep Token t-shirts available, headliners of Download metal music festival, so find your favourite design to represent this band. Band merch t-shirts make planning outfits easy; simply pair with some denim shorts for an effortless and timeless look this summer. 

For a simple outfit that won’t take up much space in your bag, consider bringing a dress. Stylish, comfortable and great for all weather (no wet trouser legs sticking in the rain, and nice and cool in the sun!), a dress is the perfect easy option to slip into. Simply one layer, this also means you won’t be stuffing your bag full - if you’re camping, remember you’ve got to carry your bag with you through to your site! The less weight, the better. 

We recommend the Banned Astrid Dress, available in black or army green. This new alternative dress is perfect for an edgy but comfortable festival look, with plenty of hardware, straps and buckles for an intriguing look that the lights can bounce off. Or, the Heartless Enya Dress is the perfect eye-catching option for an event, with plenty of rips and tears for an edgy and fearless look. The detachable sleeves are a nice touch for a festival, giving you the option of adding warmth in the evening when the sun goes down. The grey tie-dye underlayer is a gothic nod to classic festival fashion. 

Poizen Industries Blinding Lights Trousers are the ideal base layer for a festival, a plain black fabric that will go with any shoes or top, with some neon touches to light up your look. The neon straps attached to these alternative trousers are a unique touch that is perfect for a festival fit! The straps will sway and jump with you as you dance along to your favourite songs this summer! These cargo trousers also have multiple pockets, so keep your belongings safe and on your person at all times. 

If you love the idea of cargo trousers and having multiple pockets (who doesn’t?) but you’re after a more gothic look, we have plenty of alternative trouser styles available. Check out the Third Identity Redemption or Halogen Jeans for some more muted designs that still include extra storage space! For a punky touch, try the Poizen Industries Trinity Trousers, or Heartless Meissa Trousers for plenty of zips, straps, clips and buckles. These gothic trousers have plenty of design features to keep your outfit elevated, whilst also being form-fitting and unique. 

If you love bright colours and stand-out designs, then check out the latest from Hell Bunny. The Hell Bunny x Smiley collection is full of unique and quirky designs that are ideal for a summer festival. These vibrant clothes are perfect for expressing yourself and conveying a carefree, relaxed vibe. These Smiley patterns will fit right in with the festival atmosphere, whilst the bold colours will ensure you stand out from the rest of the crowd. 

No matter where you are for your festival, temperatures drop at night. Whether you’re camping or simply out late to enjoy every moment of the music before retreating to the comfort of a hotel, make sure you include a hoodie when packing for warmth. Stay cosy and on theme with our range of band merch hoodies. 

Add a little something to every single one of your festival outfits with some of our versatile gothic accessories. A gothic harness is the perfect way to add some edge to a simple outfit; layer over t-shirts and dresses to elevate any look. These fashion harnesses can be laid flat, taking up less space than a rolled-up belt. Keep it simple with the minimum number of straps, or level up to include pentagram shapes, spikes and chains.

Do you think there’s anything we’ve missed off our packing list of festival fashion essentials? Let us know what your favourite item to bring to a festival is by getting in touch on our socials at @bluebananauk. We can’t wait for the arrival of festival season, and we’re sure you’re just as excited as us for May to finally kick off.