Every summer, thousands of people all over the world flood to music festivals. From Coachella in the states to Glastonbury in the UK and everything in between, for many people festivals are one of summer’s most exciting features. Festival fashion, too, is a massive part of the experience. Celebrities attending festivals post glam Instagram shots with their friends, inspiring many to imitate their style. Over the past few years, many celebrities such as Vanessa Hudgens, Kylie Jenner and Selena Gomez have come under scrutiny for appropriating significant elements of other cultures, such as bindis and Native American headdresses, and treating them as fashion statements without fully acknowledging or appreciating the cultures. It’s widely known now that this is incredibly disrespectful and something which white people should definitely stop doing, yet at festivals it is still not uncommon to witness this cultural appropriation. Accusations of ‘over sensitivity’ are levelled at people of these cultures who speak out against this appropriation, despite the fact that it really isn’t that big of a deal to find something else to wear that doesn’t contribute to the systematic oppression and lack of respect afforded to entire cultures and ethnicities. With that in mind, here is a last of 5 fun festival styles that don’t appropriate other cultures – it’s perfectly possible to look festival-ready without disrespecting the practices and history of other cultures.
- Space Buns
Rather than appropriating dreads, cornrows, or bantu knots, space buns are the perfect way to try a fun new festival hairstyle.
2. Glitter partings
Glitter has been a big deal at many festivals this year, and a creative way to show it off is with these cool partings – you can go as extreme or as subtle as you like!
3. Temporary tattoos
Instead of trying henna, a significant cultural practice, why not try temporary tattoos instead? Just make sure you avoid tattoos like tribal patterns which appropriate Native American culture.
4. Glitter makeup
Similar to glitter partings, glitter can be worn pretty much anywhere on your face for as bold or as subtle a look as you’d like – try it under your eyebrows, across your eyelid, or dusted over your cheeks and under your eyes. Just make sure not to mimic any appropriative designs across your forehead.
5. Ear cuffs
Ear cuffs are a cool and much more daring jewellery look, and there are loads available designed so that you don’t have to commit to a new piercing – festivals are the perfect place to try these out!
