TOP FIVES: Winter Festival Essentials

There couldn't be anything more unique, muddy and free as the winter music festival schedule. We all just recently lost our minds and found our spirit animals at SPLENDOUR IN THE GRASS and what a better time to reflect on the most essential of all winter items that should be on your festival to-do list. 

The days may be spiced with splices of sunlight but we all know that winter is a temperamental time when it comes to dressing up and getting down. From wooly coats to fool proof footwear, this is your essential guide to some serious threads while basking in the chilly winds of the winter music festival.

1. CONVERSE CHUCK TAYLOR ALL STAR RUBBER SNEAKERS

Sloshing around in a communal pool of mud, half strength tinnies and sweat may be your idea of a killer time, (in fact it is usually a killer time) however you will know that you have to cover your hoofs in order to not come down with some sort of monster post-festival flu. Not only do Converse Chuck Taylor All Star Rubber have you covered, but they have you fitted out with a range of colours to coincide with your favourite choice of stage.

I for one know that those red bad boys would have slayed the dancefloor at this years Splendour In The Grass Red Bull Music Academy stage. Ditch the cliche gumboots and kick dust in the face of your enemies with these new water resistant shoes. The range will be available at selected retailers and www.converse.com.au for RRP $100.

2. THE DENIM JACKET

Denim will never die, alright? There is just something so bad ass, functional, and old school about a denim jacket. You would not believe the hiding places that these guys have. You could essentially carry everything you possibly need at a festival from cigarettes to six spare pairs of socks in one of these jackets.

You will be the lord wandering around with your hands all freed up to catch beach balls in the crowd, or to hold some babe on your shoulders. Be sure to marvel people by completing a sudoku in between sets, showing just how much you can do while wearing a denim jacket.

3. SHADES

A decent pair of sunglasses will be your saving grace come winter festival time. Not only do they protect your precious eyeballs from the skitzy UV rays but they will act as a preventative measure. Preventative measure you say? Yes, they will be your best friend come morning when your head feels like a smashed up Wagon Wheel and you have to make the walk of shame to the showers.

They will act as a disguise from the babe you were drunk pashing in OUTKAST and will be the ultimate fashion accessory to hide the lack of sleep and grass stains that will not come off due to your face planting in the Amphitheatre the previous evening.

4. ASSORTED HEADWEAR

From caps to beanies to akubras and more, hats will be covering all bases for which your sunnies can not. Did you also know that bucket hats were back? Apparently so.

Not only will a hat shield you from the rain and sun, it will serve as an indicative sign of what sort of music you are into. Baseball cap? Maybe you're into Hip Hop. Beanie or Akubra? See you at the GW McLennan Tent. Bucket hat? You'll be getting down at The Mix Up Tent. Your friends will always know where to find you thanks to your trusty headwear. NOTE: Indian Headdresses need not apply.

5. A BLANKET

Dont worry, you can take your childhood blankie with you to a music festival and not look like a complete weirdo. Just disguise this as your essential item to use while rugging up, throwing down a breakdance circle, or using your blanket to lie in the sun as you take in your favourite band.

The blanket is usually the most essential on the third day of your chosen music festival as you wile away the afternoon drinking beers and rolling around on the grass. The blanket not only serves as a portable chair, but will also shield you from the elements while making you seem all spiritual and one with nature and shit.

WINTER FESTIVAL DON'TS

1. THE FESTIVAL BINDI

Let's try not to offend anyone shall we? If it's a religious thing that's perfectly fine, however if not... Bindi's look like you don't give a shit in the worst kind of ways.

2. THE INDIAN HEADRESS

See above. Also, you don't want to walk around looking like a busted up JAMIROQUAI. 

3. WEAR A BAD ATTITUDE

Everyone is having fun, either get involved or get out of there.

There you have it people, your guide to the essential items to take (or leave behind) to any winter music festival. Pack all of these items into your swag and let's go wandering.

Words by Jessica Holton

WATCH MORE NEW MUSIC VIDEOS HERE

SEE ALSO:

INTRODUCING: CONVERSE CHUCK TAYLOR ALL STAR RUBBER

SET LIST: SPLENDOUR IN THE GRASS 2014

A QUICK PURPLE SNEAKERS WRAP UP OF SPLENDOUR IN THE GRASS 2014