High season in Asia means low temperatures, lots of sun and an abundance of festivals every other weekend. But shopping for festival wear can often see people turning to fast fashion because who wants to spend a lot of money on something you only wear once a year. It doesn’t have to be this way…
As we enter an eco-conscious era where we need to be rethinking that way in which we navigate through our daily lives, that doesn’t mean we have to stop having fun. It does mean that we need to change the way we have fun, but we like to think of that as elevating our creativity. And when it comes to festivals, that mean retaining our shopping habits without sacrificing the fun of putting together outfits. Here are few things we love when putting eco-looks together:
Kimonos for him + her
Not only do they make effortlessly cool bohemian style festival-bound pieces that are unisex, but Origin Of Hearts is a superconscious social brand from Bali that makes resort wear with a twist. Their philosophy sees them creating ethical island-inspired collections that are rich with ethnic heritage, a story and a cause. Made in Bali by talented artisans and local craftsmen, they create sustainable economic opportunities for local communities as a result of clean production processes and a slow fashion vision. They also donate five percent of all profits to orphanages by way of food clothes and school supplies. Shop here.
One-of-a-kind fans
It’s hot in Asia, and festivals even more so. Beat the heat and elevate your outfit with an everyday accessory to keep you cool — a fan. Sukhari makes hand-crafted silk fans that take around three weeks each to produce thank to their intricacy, precision and care. Each piece is unique and hand made, hand-carved, hand-painted and hand-printed by in Bali by artisans and take inspiration from indigenous communities as far as the Amazon jungle. Shop here.
Ethical and avant-garde accessories
You know, to hold your things in but also elevate your outfit. Add a splash of colour to your festival outfit with an ethical and bespoke handmade glow bags by Kate Macqueen. The tribal and topical style bags are made in Thailand and designed to make you stand out from the crowd. Each piece is handcrafted and causes no harm to the environment in an effort to implement positive solutions to the environmental crisis. And they also support the local community by donating a portion of proceeds to Gift of Happiness, which enriches the lives of children in need in Thailand by offering the most basic of life’s necessities; happiness. Shop here.
All things bedazzling
A lot of people overlook the importance of glitter to elevate a festival outfit just as much as they overlook how bad it is for the planet. The Mermaid Cave is unique and immersive, festival fashion and beauty experience, transforming ocean lovers into mermaids and mermen by way of glitter. But they have all sorts of biodegradable beauty and style products to explore too (think nipple tassels and headdresses handmade with love). Sparkle, but sparkle sustainably. Sparkle here.
Rent that sequin number
If you’re looking for something a little extra on a budget, have you ever considered renting? Rentadella a great option, especially since festival wear is a huge culprit when it comes to wear-it-once-culture. With new additions each week and the latest fashion trends, you can get your hands on some of the seasons hottest dresses at a fraction of the cost. Go on, wear those sequins you’ve always wanted to this year. Rent here.
Swap your heart out
The Fashion Pulpit is a one-stop fashion destination that aims to keep you chic and trendy by providing an extended closet without hurting the planet or your wallet. They take unwanted pieces and either swap them or upcycle them into something new. With a permanent swapping place, you could walk out with an almost-free festival outfit while being part of a zero-waste initiative. Swap here.
Own the look, not the dress
Imagine reducing textile waste while frolicking a festival? The Wardrobista can help you with that through their community of fashionistas who want to best utilize the limited wardrobe space by having a dynamic closet mixed of rental items like evening dresses, faux fur coats, evening bags and kaftans — perfect for festival season. Shop here.