Sustainability in Festivals- How will you style it?

Fast fashion and sustainability is becoming the most talked about issue within the industry, but how can we apply this to festivals? As we slowly come back to normality this summer, we may think it's time to revamp our wardrobes with mesh, glitter, and neon.

At festivals, there is no better opportunity to express individuality and style whilst immersing yourself into a whole new atmosphere. Yet, outside of the festival world we may feel restrained to wear such vibrant outfits and they sit in a wardrobe - the life and character they bring is drained out of them until they, eventually, end up in the bin.

Festivals allow us to experiment with all sorts of different looks, makeup, and accessories. Such drastic change to our every day attire means that the shopping centre is usually the best approach to prepare. However, with slightly more research, we can radically change our level of sustainability without even realising it. From changing the type of glitter you buy to sourcing your outfit second-hand, all small changes can contribute to a huge difference.

What do I do with my old festival fits?

Once festivals are over, we may eventually throw away our outfits that have 'served their purpose'. However, before throwing them out it is important to ask the question - can they be reused? Lockdown has certainly helped in raking in creative inspiration to make our evenings somewhat less repetitive. Themed nights are certainly a great way about this, and therefore allow us to reuse festival fashion for different events.

There has been a significant increase in younger generations becoming creative with fashion due to sustainability concerns. This goes from reworking a top to a bandana, or simply sewing up a hole in jeans. Upcycling your old festival outfit is a great way to reinvent a whole new one! There are many ways to learn, even from a short YouTube video.

Reinventing fast fashion and sustainability in festivals is a brilliant foundation to build upon. Changing habits in environments where fashion is of such huge scope makes it easier for us to create smaller ones every day.

Creating a sustainable cycle to find new fits. A shift away from fast fashion in festivals

Lockdown has given many of us lots of spare time. This has lead to many developing styles, such as Y2K, and what better place to find vintage gems than in charity shops or second hand sites? By incorporating a new found style into your festival fit, this provides a great opportunity to express individuality. Therefore, an abundance of options become available on sites such as 'Depop'.

90% of users on Depop are under 25, and one third of 18-25 year olds in the UK are registered on the app. This corresponds well with the same age group, where in 2019, nine out of ten 18-34 year olds attended a live event. If everyone were to use platforms such as Depop to buy and sell outfits, this would build both a cyclical and sustainable stance.

Selling festival fits you don't see yourself rewearing in future is a brilliant way to make some extra cash. Preloved fits going at a cheaper price than retail is almost certainly an enticing factor to any festivalgoer. Eventually, the cycle of buying and exchanging becomes a trend in itself. This is much more sustainable than throwing out old clothes as well as buying new ones from fast-fashion sites.

Still can't find a new outfit? Here are some sustainable festival fashion options:

Burnt Soul

Burnt Soul have prided themselves on 'sustainable activewear and party wear'. They are UK based and make their clothes out of regenerated eco fabrics, making no diversions away from the classic bold style that lives within festivals!

Unpredictable UK weather? Look for recycled plastic raincoats!

INSANE IN THE RAIN focuses on reducing plastic waste in oceans by turning single use plastic bottles into fabric. They are durable and range in all sorts of funky styles and patterns. A great way to make a statement and party on despite miserable weather!

Finishing touches - biodegradable glitter

Even festivals themselves are striving for change in this sector. 61 festivals in the UK have committed to banning non-biodegradable glitter by this year.

There are a multitude of options to choose from on various sites, however here is an example on Etsy. Here, you can shop sustainably as well as support a local business.

The fashion industry is responsible for 10% of global carbon emissions. The issues behind the 'wear it once' mentality and fast-fashion purchases is almost common knowledge at this stage. It is important not to become naive to them. As festivals are slowly returning, we can all make small yet lasting changes to our festival fashion. Eventually, this can lead to a sustainable circular stance because fast fashion and sustainability in festivals desperately needs to change. This needs the attention of everyone to be a driving force, so make sure to do your part!