Festival Summer

In assosiation with Zalando's European Festival Guide (UK version of the guide >HERE<), I want to share my thoughts on festival fashion and music.

If there's one thing every summer got in common, regarding if it's sun, rain, hot, cold or cloudy, it's festiavls. They come every year, no matter what kind of weather it is.
Of course, we're all hoping for sun and hot weather, but that's the beauty of festivals; you never actually know, so you bring half your wardrobe (at least!) and you're prepared for anything the universe has to offer.

I definitely feel like the festivals are more about fashion than the actual music. It seems like people doesn't care what's on stage as long as you're hanging out with friends, partying and looking your best.
Personally I would never attend a festival if there wasn't anything worth seeing, but that's because I'm an actual music lover and supporter, and love to see my favorite bands live. Fist up in the air singing my throat soar, wearing the band's merchendise with a ton of studs and leather.

So to me music is the top priority, looks second. The festival isn't ruined if it rains and I have to wear a poncho and galoshes for the rest of the day. Maybe not so cool, but oh so practical.

Last year I went to Gävle in Sweden to attend Getaway Rock Festival. Gamma Ray, Deep Purple, Testament, Iced Earth, Dragonforce and Anvil were some of the bands I wanted to see. The first day it rained all the time. Sure, I was optimistic wearing denim, but had to stop and get a poncho as soon as possible not to get drenched. But there were so many people wearing ponchos, you actually looked more stupid if you didn't.
It rained a lot the other day too, and there was thunder and lightning. But when Thor's hammer had fallen and the sky cleared up, I took of my poncho and rocked a studded leather jacket and some Judas Priest swag.

I know I've written a lot about the weather at festivals, but it's actually the dominating factor deciding what you can wear or not. Like I said, we all want sun and high temperatures so the girls can rock minimal clothing, and the boys can look cool in a pair of ripped denim and a printed tee or tank. But like I said, to me, music comes first, not what I wear. The festivals have becomed a place to see and be seen, and not seeing what's on stage.
In some cases people don't even bother to approach the stage, they just hang out at the camping area drinking, or just showing of their style in the festival area and would probably not notice if it was a singing monkey on stage.

I don't want to be two faced, I'm a rock chick, and want to dress rocker-ish at festivals, and I can, because I attend festivals that play the music I like. I would never go to a festival with music that's hip just because it's mainstream, and everyone will be there. Hell, even Iron Maiden refused to play at a big festival because the frontman, Bruce Dickinson, said that he would rather play where people cared about music, not just at some big sosial gathering were fashionable it-girls and boys are drinking and partying their asses of.

Of course, party your ass, wear what you want. Love music, don't care about music. Wear a Kate Moss-ish outfit, or go casual. Festivals are about having fun anyway. To me it's just greater when bands that I like are playing. Then what I wear don't matter, just the energy coming from the stage!

This year I will attend Skogsröjet in Sweden, close to the city Nörrköping. I'm looking forward to see bands like Megadeth, Gamma Ray, Unisonic, Steel Panther, Black Star Riders, Michael Monroe, Crashdiet and Hardcore Superstar. Since Megadeth is playing on Friday I will be rocking Megadeth swag that day, and Gamma Ray swag on Saturday since they're scheduled to play then. It's just as important supporting your band visually as just being there in person. And wearing your favorite band's merch with pride is better than any fashionable outfit put together by the masses.

Have a great festival summer! And don't forget to drop by Zalando's European Festival Guide (UK version >HERE<) to find a festival near you, to read about fastival fashion and see if you got everything on their check list :)