15 MUSIC FESTIVAL ESSENTIALS

If you’re going to a music festival this year, there are sooo many things you need to remember to pack. In addition to the obvious (tent, sleeping bag, food, clothing, water bottle), you’ll need some basic necessities like a tarp and some type of battery-operated light source to get you through the weekend. Don’t forget, advises Erinn Stewart, other very important must-haves like instant coffee and toilet paper (trust). Even if you’re just going to a day festival, you’ll still want easy, fuss-free items on hand. And you should definitely incorporate a backpack and closed-toe sneakers, since you’ll be on your feet. All. Day. Long. Most importantly, don’t forget to take care of yourself! Drink a ton of water, slather your bod in SPF (might we suggest a natural one?) and wear a hat to protect yourself from heat exhaustion. There’s nothing worse than not feeling 100 per cent when all you want to do is rock out to your fave headliner.

1

A No-Fuss Dress

If you’re staying hydrated throughout the day (and we hope that you will be), you’ll be making several trips to the port-a-potties. Make the visits as pain-free as poss by wearing a dress.

V-neck Dress | $35 | hm.com

2 Extra TP Port-a-potty toilet paper feels like sandpaper and, let’s face it, it’s usually never restocked. Save yourself from having to drip-and-dry and BYOR (bring your own roll). Cashmere Double Roll Tissue Paper | $17 | walmart.ca

3

Cleansing Wipes

No shower pass? No problem. Wipe off the makeup, sweat and (happy) tears with a multi-purpose cleansing wipe. These ones are made from recycled cotton and are biodegradable. Micellar Cleansing Towelettes | $10 | burtsbees.ca

4 A Shade-Blocking Tarp Don’t skimp on sun and rain coverage if you’re camping. The few extra mins of shade each day will go a long way.

Silicone Guides Tarp | $135 | mec.ca

5

Some Sort of Caffeine Instant coffee is a camping musthave, just make sure you befriend someone who can boil water!

Via Ready Brew Pike Place Roast | $13 | starbucks.ca

6 A Lifesaving Headlamp If you’re camping, you’re going to need some sort of light for when you stumble back to your campsight. This headlamp keeps your hands free and will last for hours on end.

Black Diamond Iota Headlamp | $48 | mec.ca

8 A Waterproof Bag If it rains, you’ll need a dry place to store your things. This bag earns bonus points because it’s a backpack (so convenient) and translucent so you can see where everything is.

Clear Plastic Backpack | $25 | guessfactory.ca

7

A Packable Towel Use this super-absorbant towel if it rains, if you get soaked from the cool-down hoses or after you take a water bottle shower (no judgement). PackTowel Personal Towel | $12 | mec.ca

9 An Emergency Kit No joke, this kit has everything you might need in a pinch, from hair elastics to bandages to a freaking sewing kit!

Pinch Provisions Best Night Ever Kit | $34 | sephora.com

10 A Cool Hat This multi-purpose item blocks you from the sun and hides greasy hair (super necessary for Day 3!) Nylong Owl Logo Sportcap | $48 | octobersveryown.com

11 A Back-Up Camera A back-up camera is key if your phone dies. Plus, you’ll have cute polaroid takeaways to hang around your apartment after the fest. Michael Kors x Fujifilm Instax Camera | $178 | michaelkors.ca

12

Chic Sunnies

A cool pair of shades that actually protect you from the sun should be one of the first things that you pack. Look for 100 per cent UVA/UVB protection like this pair has.

Infinite Rose Sunglasses | $75 | bonlook.com

13 A Portable Charger (Or 3) You’ll need an extra battery for all of those selfies and blurry vids. This small, sleek device will easily slide into your bag or pocket. Ban.Do Back Me Up! Mobile Charger | $35 | chapters.indigo.ca

14 Comfy Sneakers

When it comes to footwear, look for something closed-toe and comfortable. These red kicks are as light as air! UltraRange Rapidweld in Chili Pepper | $110 | vans.ca

15 Easy-To-Apply SPF You’ll need to reapply this, like, 300 times daily, so opt for an easy-to-use and convenient format. (It’s small enough to fit in the pocket of your jean shorts.)

Derma-E Natural Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30 Stick | $15 | well.ca