Music festivals are my favorite part of the summer season. I love everything about them: the music, the food and of course the festival fashion. They were the number one thing that I missed last summer, so I was very excited to hear that North Coast Music Festival is on for summer 2021 in Bridgeview, Illinois. As a seasoned festival-goer, I’ll give you my tips on how to be prepared for music festivals this upcoming summer.
Camelback-Style Backpacks
These are a great tool to make sure you are hydrated throughout the hot summer day. Lugging around a water bottle throughout the day can be inconvenient, but having your water on your back makes it easy to drink during crowded sets. Before packing for the festival, you need to make sure your bag fits the size restrictions of the festival that you are going to. My favorite brand is Vibedration because their packs hold two liters of water and have several pockets to hold other necessities.
Fashion Masks
Although things may be opening up again, that is not an excuse to ignore coronavirus precautions. There are tons of cute mask options on Amazon that will fit your festival aesthetic along with keeping you and others around you safe.
Tennis Shoes
I made the mistake of wearing a thrifted pair of Birkenstocks to Lollapalooza in 2018. My feet were constantly getting stepped on by others, and during Chance the Rapper’s set, and they BROKE. I had to put rubber bands over my feet to keep them together but that didn’t last, so I had to walk the streets of Chicago barefoot. Learn from my mistake and wear a pair of tennis shoes that will withstand different types of weather. Your new pair of sneakers or sandals may look cute, but going with a worn pair is probably the best option.
Earplugs
Live music can damage your ears after an extended period of time. It is important to wear the proper protection while you are still young. My favorite pair of earplugs are from the brand Vibes that was featured on the show Shark Tank. Vibes are a great choice because they filter the sound instead of blocking it. This helps you hear the music more clearly while also protecting your ears. They are also clear, so other people won’t even notice that you are wearing them.
Non-Aerosol Sunscreen
Many festivals have restrictions on aerosol products, but this should not be an excuse to skip the sunscreen. If attending an outdoor festival, you are going to be in the sun all day, so it is important to bring a sunscreen lotion to reapply throughout the day. My favorite brand is Sun Bum because their products are vegan and cruelty-free.
Waterproof Makeup
Being outside in the summer heat will make you sweat and mess up your makeup if you do not choose waterproof options. To ensure that your makeup lasts all day, I recommend laying off on the foundation and opting for a waterproof mascara.
Braids
Braids are my go-to hairstyle for summer music festivals. This may sound a little crazy, but I went to Great Clips early in the morning before attending Lollapalooza to get my hair braided into two dutch braids because I cannot braid my own hair. This was a great decision because my hair stayed out of my face all day and I got many compliments.
Baby Wipes
Depending on the weather, you can get very dirty at music festivals. Baby wipes are a versatile tool that can wipe off dirt and sweat while also keeping you cool.
Put Your Wristband on the Day of the Event
This one may sound like a no-brainer, but I was so excited for my first Lollapalooza when I was a junior in high school that I put my fabric wristband on two weeks before the event because I did not realize that they were not adjustable. Learn from my mistake and put your wristband on the day off so you do not have to keep it on for an extended period of time before the event.