When attending a music festival these days, it feels like there’s a lot riding on your outfit – how easy is it to do a portaloo wee in, and will the other people leaning woozily in the shade include you in their herd based on your duds? Your attire will generally fit into three categories: sweaty full-body banana suit and other gimmicky get-ups, glittering mermaid minimalism, or zero-effort outfit.
The festival shirt fits into the last group. It’s that button-down short-sleeve tee that inexplicable took over music festivals around the country over the summer. There were seas of those mustard and navy stripes (sometimes blue and red) from Cotton On, and you either got on board or got swept away in the lad current.
While recognising society’s sheep-like tendencies and the power of mass production, the folks at the University of Sydney’s Herman’s Bar are also giving that $29.95 shirt credit for it’s broad appeal (or magic powers) with a party dedicated to the garment. They’re calling it a festival, but it’s more likely to be on the dance party scale, with DJs and face painting on the lawn.
The main idea is to get as many festival shirt-wearers to the party as possible, and celebrate the start of the Easter long weekend as one homogenous by happy dancing glob.