Festival Season Fashion Essentials

Summer festival season is here again. Get prepared to stay stylish all day long

With each passing year, summer festivals are looking more and more like fashion weeks. But unlike fashion week—with long breaks between shows and parties—festivals require that your look lasts the whole day in a variety of conditions: long hours under either blistering heat or rainy spells; endless lineups for everything; and sweating after busting moves all day. But bring the right gear and you’ll be prepared to have the time of your life.

Here are our top festival essentials to keep you stylish and happy throughout the season…

 

1. Beblue bracelets

Even if boho isn’t your usual vibe, stack a couple of these exquisite bracelets from Beblue on your wrists and transform the simplest outfit into something festival-worthy. Made in Canada by a Montreal designer who literally grew up playing in the back of a Paris jewellery shop, the pieces are inherently artistic—and the ultimate in festval-cool style.
Available at Beblue, starting at $45

 

2. Brunette the Label shorts

Adorable shorts that are festival-worthy and comfortable? Yes, we’ve found them and you’ll want to live in these all summer long. They have a high waist, which work perfectly with crop tops, and a rolled hem for that laid-back ultimate cool-girl vibe.
Available at Brunette the Label, 231 Union Street, Vancouver, $68

 

3. Hunter original mini top-clip backpack in rubberized leather

This adorable backpack is also waterproof, so all your essentials will stay dry when that inevitable rain storm passes overhead. It comes in 12 festival-friendly colours and has padded straps for comfort, which is really important because you’ll be wearing this all day, every day.
Available at Hunter, $295

 

4. Ably Hannah zip-up hoodie

Outdoor festivals are dusty and gritty—it’s part of the fun. But to shrug off dirt, pack this hoodie, which features an innovative, eco-friendly fabric technology—fillium—that will actually resist stains, odours and water. That’s right: you’ll emerge from a week of camping looking and smelling fresh… even in white.
Available at Zebraclub, 3101 Granville Street, Vancouver and at Ably Apparel, $162

 

5. WonderBra ‘Wear it Your Way’ convertible bra

Strappy dresses and off-the-shoulder tops are essentially festival uniforms. A versatile bra is a game changer and this one has over 40 discreet inner hooks that will let you MacGyver this one bra eight different ways. It’s full coverage but  not padded so you’ll be looking sleek and smooth without worrying about wardrobe malfunctions as you dance away the days and nights.
Available at The Bay, $48

 

6. Invisibobble hair bands

No one’s got time for slipping hairdos when your festival schedule is jam-packed. Invisibobbles grip your hair and will keep that “effortless” topknot in place, all without giving you a headache or leaving dents in your hair. For festival season, flaunt your Invisibobble as part of your outfit with some of their summer fun colours like neon brights, light-catching metallics and even colour-shifting unicorn. The original will never let you down, but new to Canada are the slim and the multi-band versions for even more festival style options.
Available at drugstores across Canada and online at Beauty Boutique, $10 (three hair rings per package)

 

7. Cougar Hula stretch-knit slip-on shoe

These lightweight shoes won’t weigh you down (they weigh less than an iPhone7!) and the pretty knitted material is breathable, flexible and stretchy. But they’re all business underneath, made with an EVA outsole and grippy, anti-slip strike zones to help with traction and durability. They also come with a removable leather insole for ultimate comfort when you’re up on your feet all day.
Available at Cougar, $90

 

8. Booya bandages

If Beyoncé and sister Solange can fall at Coachella, you know mere mortals are in for a tumble or two. And if you can’t camouflage your boo-boo, flaunt it. Booya! bandages are such a fashion statement you’ll be slapping them on, sans scrape. Their boldly coloured glitter and patterned bandages are also the perfect conversation starter among a sea of strangers. And yes, they’re fully approved by Health Canada and are latex-free.
Available in packs of 16 at Rexall ($6.29) and Seal-it Glitter Store ($7.75)

 

10. Canada Goose HyBridge Lite jacket

This is the jacket I brought with me to summer music festivals from Dawson City, Yukon to Medellin, Colombia. It is the perfect layering piece to pull out when temperatures get chilly and then packs away to the size of a sandwich bag when it’s not needed. The cropped silhouette also makes it easy to slide this into your festival wardrobe (and eventually into every day rotation).
Available at Canada Goose, $575

 

11. S’well Ultraviolet water bottle

Staying hydrated is especially important in the summer and absolutely crucial under the open sun. Keep this gorgeous bottle-cum-fashion accessory out as a reminder to sip and refill constantly. Plus, this stainless steel beauty is insulated so your liquids will stay cool no matter how high the temperatures get.
Available at Chapters Indigo, $58