The Polyester Guide On How To Dress For Festivals
Guide: Shannon Oxley
This weekend we were lucky enough to attend the Nos Alive festival in Lisbon. It is a three day festival right on the beach with an incredible lineup of legends such as Wolf Alice, Lorde, The Pixies, Zara Larsson and the Foo Fighters.
It's a festival that not only gives you the opportunity to explore the culturally rich city of Lisbon during the day such as eating Pastel De Nata’s, exploring the hilly tiled streets and eating fresh seafood, but also immerse yourself in Portuguese culture at night. Beyond its international headliners, NOS Alive encourages festival-goers to discover new artists, genres and musical traditions, with stages like the Fado Stage celebrating Portugal's most iconic style of music.
One of NOS Alive's biggest strengths is its refusal to be boxed into one sound. One minute you're watching an iconic rock band, the next you're dancing to a pop girl, discovering an electronic act or stumbling across your new favourite rapper. Mine? Titica, who has been on repeat ever since.
Whilst packing for both a weekend away and a three day festival I was stumped as to what would be cute but also be comfortable for long days of city explorations and set hopping at night. And whilst I made some packing mistakes, I took some inspiration from the Nos Alive girls who gave the following advice.
Hot Girls Wear Comfortable Shoes
We've all made the mistake of sacrificing comfort for a cute outfit, but a festival is never the place to do it. The last thing you want is to miss your favourite artists because you're sitting down every couple of hours to replace blister plasters. Luckily, NOS Alive is laid with Astroturf, so you don't have to worry about trudging through mud or uneven grass. That means you can prioritise comfort without compromising too much on style. A cute pair of trainers, broken in boots or even ballet flats will see you through the day and well into the night.
Thrift, Thrift, Thrift
Fast fashion cowboy boots, chain belts and cheap sequins are done! Take advantage of buying things second hand before a festival and use it as an opportunity to explore and shop in the city you’re in.
Less Is More
The Coachella-fication of festival fashion has, in some ways, taken the fun out of getting dressed. I love a statement piece, a bold makeup look and a fun pair of shoes, but when every trend is combined into one perfectly curated outfit, it can create a sea of carbon copy festival looks. To me, the coolest festival style feels personal rather than performative. A vintage graphic tee, a unique bag, a great pair of denim shorts or jeans and a pair of quirky shoes will always stand out more than an outfit designed purely for the camera. The chic festival girl isn’t the one following every trend.
The Midnight Sun Only Works for Zara Larsson - Bring A Jacket
I made the rookie mistake of thinking that European evenings meant endless heat, but whilst waiting for sets, walking around getting food, the wind is blowing! Save yourself from the merch tent and bring a light cover up like a cardigan or hoodie that can be easily tucked in your bag.
Be A Fan Girl
If you’re not dressing up for your favourite artist, why go? Fan glam is one of the most joyful parts of live music, it’s a chance to step into an artist’s universe and
NOS Alive’s crowd was a beautiful collision of fandoms: Foo Fighters dads in vintage band tees, glitter-covered Zara girls, and flower-crowned Florence fans. Every corner of the festival felt like a reminder that music still has the power to bring completely different people together.
