Outdoor festivals in warm weather are tricky affairs when it comes to figuring out what to wear. You don't want to wear anything too tight, but not too loose, and definitely no weirdly hot polyester blends or heavy fabrics. As a seasoned food and beer festival goer, the hardest of the festivals to handle due to the moving parts of plates and glassware, I've got the perfect outdoor festival-going outfit for warm to hot weather. I recently learned a trick or two at Columbia's Food and Wine Festival.
Let's dissect what to wear to an outdoor festival by it's components so that you can get everything ready ahead of time!
1. A loose cotton dress
Your dress acts as your napkin, your spill shield, and your sweat absorber. Pick a darker or highly patterned one for maximum ability to hide the beer spills, back sweat trickles, and fried food grease that you come into contact with throughout the day. It happens to the best of us, and not having to worry about finding a napkin will set you free. This Old Navy swing dress is perfect. For the guys, apply the same advice to a cotton t-shirt and loose shorts, with pockets since ya'll get those automatically.
2. A wine glass holder necklace
These come in many varieties but the well-traveled festival goer knows that you can't tie up one of your hands with the mundane task of holding a drink. Some festivals have caught on and offer this as great swag but don't be caught off guard — bring your own wine glass holder necklace for your beverage of choice. I have to shout out to the local TV station, WLTX for this fantastic swag choice. WINNERS.
3. Sunglasses
It's bright out there, and there's no need to hurt your vision and invite premature wrinkles from squinting too hard for too long. Even if they are cheap sunglasses, don't go festival-ing without a pair. I prefer my Free Times freebie glasses!
4. Sunscreen
You can tell I didn't listen to this advice the day before and got a slight burn on my arms, but my face was protected from the sun's harmful rays. My new favorite sunscreen is Sun Bum's Mineral Sunscreen with SPF 50 for my face, and Sun Bum's mineral spray sunscreen for everywhere else. It's on the expensive side but it works very well, feels great going on, and won't kill reefs for those times when you're in the ocean. Click on those links and buy one of each!
5. A light but large bag
Where are you going to store everything from your water bottle to your swag to your wet naps, extra sunscreen, and a foldable fan? In your shoulder bag of course. Take out unnecessary day to day stuff and only have the festival essentials in there to lighten your load.
6. Spongy sandals
There's no need to abuse your feet and these Tevas wedges are my ride or die summer shoe for everywhere from the office to vacation. The taller ones are great for absorbing more shock as you walk, and the spongy soft feel of walking on them makes me never want to wear anything else on my feet again. You won't regret buying these shoes.
Now that you're ready, what outdoor events are you looking forward to this summer?
