What to Wear (and Not!) to Osheaga

By Lauriane Belair

Date July 30, 2018

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The Canadian version of Coachella is around the corner. This upcoming weekend, festival-goers will take Montreal by storm to see acts like Dua Lipa, James Blake and Lights take the stage. Festivals are, of course, primarily about the music, but fashion plays a pretty significant role in the proceedings as well. (See our favourite looks from last year’s edition).

Here’s your ultimate guide -- plus a shopping list -- of what to wear to Osheaga.

The weather forecast is your best friend

This may seem like a very ‘okay mom’ bit of advice, but we can’t stress it enough: check the weather forecast and plan accordingly. . Osheaga is fully outdoors, so you will have to brave the rain, the heat, the cold, the sweat (sometimes, not your own…) and everything else in between. It’s a good idea to pack your rain jacket just in case.

You will get dirty After selecting your outfit, ask yourself: will I be crushed if any of these garments get dirty? If the answer is yes, choose something else. Your festival experience shouldn’t be ruined by you refusing to sit on the grass just to spare your white maxi dress.

Choose sneakers or boots over heels Festival sites tend to get very dirty (see point number two), so opt for footwear that is both comfortable and will also protect your feet from getting gross and muddy. An added bonus:wearing boots or sneakers with a cute floral dress will make you look super badass.

Be sensitive No matter how often we talk about how problematic cultural appropriation is, as soon as festival season is around the corner it seems like (white) people forget. The no-fly zone includes : bindis, indigenous headpieces, cornrows, henna, etc. (There are much more though, so Google is your best friend. It’s easy, simple and takes literally five seconds).

Be smart with your accessories A hat is always a good idea, especially if it’s going to be a sunny and hot day. Plus, a backpack will also allow you to pack all the necessities, whilst having your hands free at all time.