The Festival Wardrobe – Light, Odour Free and Unbothered by Rain
Short answer: A festival wardrobe has to handle hot days, cold nights and few chances to shower. Bamboo shorts, T-shirts and underwear are an obvious choice, because they breathe in the heat, smell less after several days of use and dry quickly if the rain comes.
Few days, few changes, less odour
At a festival there are often several days between showers, and that puts demands on your clothes. Bamboo viscose moves sweat away from the skin and inhibits many of the bacteria that cause odour, so clothes stay fresh for longer. That means you can pack fewer changes without feeling worse towards the end of the week.
Clean underwear for every day
Underwear is the one thing you should change every day. Pack a pair of clean bamboo underwear for men or bamboo briefs for each festival day, and wear the rest again. Underwear takes up almost no space in the bag, and a dry, soft layer next to the skin makes a real difference after a night in a tent.
Shorts for the day in front of the stage
During the day, light and airy layers are what count. A pair of bamboo shorts for men breathes when the sun is high and dries fairly quickly after a shower. Choose a style with an elastic waist so it sits well, both when you stand for hours in front of the stage and when you sit on the grass between concerts.
Shorts for her
The same logic applies if you are looking for shorts for women. A pair of bamboo shorts for women feels soft on the skin, does not chafe and works both during the day and as sleepwear in the tent. Because they take up little room, you can easily bring two pairs and switch when one gets rain or mud on it.
T-shirts that last more than one day
A bamboo T-shirt can often be worn two days in a row, because the fabric holds on to freshness better than many other materials. Pack a few bamboo T-shirts in neutral colours that go with everything else in your bag. Hang the worn one in the tent opening in the morning to air, and it is ready for the next day.
When the rain comes
Rain is almost guaranteed at a festival, and wet clothes are what make the day feel long. Bamboo is not rainwear, but a thin layer dries faster than thick cotton. Wear a rain jacket or poncho on the outside and let bamboo be the layer underneath. That way you are quickly dry again once the shower has passed and the sun comes out.
When the sun goes down
Festival nights get cold, even after a warm day, and damp clothes make it worse. A soft bamboo hoodie over a dry layer keeps you warm when you sit at the camp or walk to a late concert. Pulling up the hood also keeps your neck warm, and the hoodie can double as a pillow when it is time to sleep.
Washing after the festival
When you get home, wash your clothes soon so mud and sweat do not settle in the fabric. Wash bamboo at 30 to 40 degrees on a gentle programme with a mild detergent and no fabric softener. Let everything air dry instead of using a tumble dryer. That way the fabric keeps its shape and softness, ready for the next festival. See also bamboo and temperature regulation.
Frequently asked questions
How many clothes should I pack for a festival?
One set of clean underwear per day, two to three T-shirts, a pair of shorts, long trousers for the evening and a hoodie. Bamboo can be worn several times, so you can pack light.
Can I wear bamboo in the rain?
Bamboo is not waterproof, so wear a rain layer on top. As the layer underneath, however, a thin bamboo fabric dries faster than thick cotton, so you are dry again sooner after a shower.
How do I stay warm at night in the tent?
Change into a dry set of clothes before getting into your sleeping bag, and put on a hoodie. Damp clothes draw heat from the body, while a dry layer holds on to it better.
You can find the full range at Bamboo-Clothing.com.
