Festival looks

In Lyon and elsewhere, festivals are the perfect opportunity for anybody who wants to try out a new look, stand out from the crowd, convey a message… or even do all of these at once! At events like Burning Man and Coachella, a huge Californian festival, where stars, influencers and ordinary individuals from around the world gather together, you don’t need a stage to put on a show and some festival-goers give free rein to their creativity with daring looks. “People don’t dress the same way to go to the Nuits Sonores or Woodstower. They create a personality that’s coherent with the styles of the artists they’re going to see,” told us Claire Romarie-Poirier, communication director for the Marché de la Mode Vintage (Vintage Fashion Market) and the interior design show Le Printemps des Docks (produced by Ivanohé-Market Prod), and a lecturer at the Université de la Mode (University of Fashion). Anyone who’s had a pass for the Nuits Sonores (16 to 21 May) or experienced Reperkusound (7 to 9 April, see page XX), knows that the ambiance of an electronic music concert in a warehouse calls for a “minimalist look” (jeans, T-shirt, trainers). With more eclectic line-ups, outdoor festivals like Woodstower, Évasion Festival and the 24h de l’INSA, draw a younger crowd, often with more original looks, featuring shorts, fringed or crochet tops, colourful sun hats and flashy sunglasses. In recent months, we’ve also seen lots of old customised 501 jeans and “beaten up” Dr Martens boots. The comfort of these cult fashion items is part of the reason why they’re coming back into fashion.

Looking good: a how-to guide

“First of all, a festival outfit needs to be comfortable,” insists Claire Romarie-Poirier. While style is a goal, practicality comes first. Each person needs to take a common sense approach and adapt to the location and weather. They should also be aware of their own limits, in terms of heel height, trouser waist size (to comfortably accommodate a few beers, for example), a shirt that won’t look terrible when sweaty, and so on. Generally speaking, it’s not a good idea to wear four-inch stilettos or brand new, squeaky clean trainers, which will soon look grubby and trampled by the crowds. It’s a better idea to go for an old pair of trainers or platform shoes, which, with their extra-thick soles, will boost your height by a couple of inches while remaining flat. Leave your most valuable jewellery and fashion items at home; you don’t want to run the risk of having your favourite top stained by a spilled drink or torn as you pogo to your favourite band. Go for natural materials, as some synthetic fabrics are very good at trapping unpleasant body odours, and light clothes that dry fast and are hard-wearing. And let’s not forget accessories! Costume jewellery, extravagant make-up, temporary tattoos, hats, belts, a little shoulder bag, backpack or bum bag… Everything is possible as long as they don’t restrict your movements. The last important detail is to check the weather forecast, as you may need to take a cap to protect your head from the sun or a plastic poncho to keep you dry in heavy rain (maybe you have one tucked away in a cupboard somewhere from last year’s festival season!). It’s all about being prepared!

Second-hand: a wise choice

If you’re hesitant about buying second-hand for your everyday clothes, you can try out the concept by using it to create your festival look. To begin with, some iconic items glide effortlessly between styles, genres and decades. What’s more, it’s much better for the environment than buying discardable fast-fashion items just for one event. Lastly, you’ll be far less worried about damaging or dirtying an outfit that already has a few miles on the clock… The Marché de la Mode Vintage (Vintage Fashion Market), to be held on the 11th and 12th of March at La Sucrière, is the perfect place to find your second-hand outfit. 
www.marchemodevintage.com

ADDRESSES

Put some glitter in your life

© Paillettes & Co

As the first retailer of biodegradable glitter from the brand BioGlitter, Paillettes & Co will be bringing some sparkle to the party! This shop is already supplying its glitter-filled pine-cellulose capsules to festivals in Lyon. It has a rebellious attitude that we love! €8 per bottle.

A comeback from the 90s

© Marthe Duval

After being relegated to the back of the cupboard for decades, the bum bag is coming back into vogue as a stylish and handy accessory. We love the ones made by Marthe Duval, which are the perfect way to liberate your hands and dance with total freedom. €65

Stylish sun hat

© Joséphine Belloeil

Providing protection from both the sun and the rain, sun hats deserve a place in every wardrobe. Those made by the talented Joséphine Belloeil of Lyon, who made it to the finals of the 2022 Etsy Design Award are reversible, colourful and super graphic. You can follow her on Instagram @Josiebel. €60.

Inspired clothing

© Encré

Created in 2017 by local creative Charlie Faron, the company Encré stylishly combines fashion and tattoos. Their range includes embroidered T-shirts, jackets and sweatshirts inspired by the unbounded creativity of famous tattoo artists. What’s more, their T-shirts are unisex and oversize, which makes them perfect to boogie until the wee hours! €50 for a T-shirt.

Don’t neglect your ears!

© Bagouse

Worn alone or in combination, for pierced ears or to clip on, the earcuff can find a place on any ear! You can try some on at Léa Morizot, who runs Bagouse, a great little shop selling jewellery and accessories created by independent designers from Les Pentes (the slopes of Croix-Rousse hill). Prices start at €25.

Memories of nights out

© Les Ateliers de Marinette

Are you an artistic soul? Put away your smartphone, equip yourself with a traditional film camera and wait with excitement to develop your film of snapshots of a mad night out… You can find one at Les Ateliers de Marinette, a vintage shop that specialises in Polaroid and analogue cameras. Prices start at €195.

Unearth a gem that will make you shine

© Tilt Vintage

Are you looking for sunglasses that are a bit smoky or with an extravagant frame? This is the essential accessory for festival-goers with an eye for style... You can hunt for a pair at Tilt Vintage. Expect to spend €19.

Stay connected

© La coque française

Whether it’s to find your friends in the crowd or stream live on Tik Tok, are you one of those people who can’t imagine going out without taking their phone? Instead of carrying it in your pocket, you can buy a specially designed pouch with strap at Shop in Live, a concept-store based in Croix-Rousse founded by Sophie. Prices start at €15