Clothing:
One day it was mid 70s and I was sweating-a lot.
The next I was freezing and in constant rain.
I cannot say it enough, the east side has very versatile / unpredictable weather, so pack accordingly. And even though (girls) in my little head I was like OMG I want to look so cute and I'm going to be so stylish and festivally and glittered rainbowed facepainted out the fact of the matter was I didn't give a shit when I was slipping in the mud and trying to not get dripped on by the mainstage overhang during Ryan Bingham.
Obviously I didn't want to miss a second of him.
So clothing:
- Bedtime:
- sweats
- thermal top
- maybe bottoms if you get cold easily
- a hooded sweatshirt
- snuggly socks
- A pair of shorts to change into as soon as you wake up because it goes from freezing to fucking hot in a tent in a matter of minutes.
- Outerwear:
- a WATER PROOF rain jacket.
- A hat.
- Rain boots (or some kind of water proof bad ass ones).
- An umbrella wouldn't hurt but don't be that asshole that stands in front of everyone with it open.
- Footwear:
- flip flops to toss on and off when you get out of the tent
- Rain boots (or some kind of water proof bad ass ones)
- Comfortable shoes (I don't care how cute your other ones are you won't care after walking and dancing so much!) that you don't mind trashing. I bought a pair from Value Village right before I left that did quite nicely.
- Flip flops for the shower (if you chose to do so.)
- Skivvies:
- Bring one of those cool bras that can go strapless, crisscross, asymmetrical and normal.
- Bags:
- I brought a fanny pack which was very helpful but not enough. I didn't lose my id, cash, phone, chapstick or gum (that I know of) but I also was that annoying friend asking other people with backpacks to hold my stuff. At Paradiso it was handy but that's because you lose your shit there and Sasquatch its a bit more mild...in most aspects.
- Bring a backpack. One that can hold an extra coat for when you go in midday and stay through the night. And have snacks. And a water bottle ($3 a water got so damn expensive and they have stations to fill up at but then you have to wait in a long ass line). A carabiner to loop a waterbottle on is also a smart idea if you don't have a holder.
- Shit you don't want to forget:
- BABY WIPES
- Dry shampoo (I use baby powder)
- Sunscreen (you will get burnt)
- Sunglasses
- Deoterant
- Lotion
- Ear plugs
- A pair of shorts to change into as soon as you wake up because it goes from freezing to fucking hot in a tent in a matter of minutes.
- Finger nail clippers SO ANNOYING when yours breaks and you keep biting it.
Daywear
This gets its own section because I really love thrifting and clothing and while I'm not super edgy cool I still tried to pick outfits that would be fun to wear but not a pain in the ass.
- Snag a hoodie that's neutral so it can go under and over many things. Mine is a heather gray.
- The jacket I have over it is NOT waterproof but it's lightweight and has an insane amount of cargo pockets which came in handy.
- Jeggings: comfy goes with a crop top or a tunic. BOOM.
- Boots...as I said before.
- The sweater is from Value Village and could be layered over something or cropped. It was nice to cover myself from the sun while looking sexay.
- Paired with jean shorts. I know you know to bring those.
- Bangles. Always fun and an easy way to add some gypsy boho chicness.
- Ignore my face. But bring a statement necklace. I wore this with just about everything because it made me feel like a bad ass.
- I almost threw this top out because it was too short for me (like all of my clothes since I'm tall) but I ended up making it into a crop top.
- The skirt was AMAZING to wear and just perfect. I highly reccomend a maxi because it says sexy without the skimpy, you can dance with it, you can sit on it and it keeps you warm when it gets cold.
- Oh and I was a big fan of braids while I was there.
- Layer it up! A vest like the one I'm wearing is a great extra layer whether you bring it for warmth or an accent piece.
- Also this is the drummer and singer from Deep Sea Divers. YES!
- Wear what you want. If you have something goofy and ridiculous this is the time to rock it. Like my Merican flag skirt/shirt/thing.
- Wear a cute lighter layer under your heavy ones becuase you never know when the sun will come out!
Random tips that didn't fit anywhere else:
- Get a schedule as soon as you can. they run out fast. Or make sure you print one from home.
- Also, life is life so times change, look at the website for help if you want updates on show times.
- There are a lot of Canadians. I didn't realize that there would be. And well they were pretty awesome.
- Get a headlamp. So helpful for the walk home and your tent at night.
- Bottle opener. Don't forget!
- A blanket that has a waterproof back on one side. From all the food, beer, rain that gets all over the hill you'll want one that doesn't soak it up.
- Get a flag or find one close to you so you don't get lost. I had a lame ass blow up turtle on my tent that got its shit rocked but I never went in the wrong tent.
- You have to have an empty waterbottle to get anywhere with it.
- If you have a full one it MUST be clear. I had MILO in my water at 9 am and the guy that guarded the trail to the venue made me pour it out because it wasn't clear.
- There's coffee that's overpriced and not bad like most of the food etc there. I'm from Seattle. I care about my coffee.
- Watch out for the vendors trying to jip you. MOST of them were AMAZING and I don't know how they do their jobs but more than once people would not give me back my full change. So do the math!
And I think that's it. Hope this helps.
