There's no winning formula when it comes to festival dressing, but seeing what others wear can certainly serve as inspiration for your next one, which is why I decided to document what I wore to the three days of Primavera Sound Barcelona 2024.
Now, a big part of festival dressing is determined by which festival you are attending. If you are going to Coachella, you need to pack for the desert, often favoring face covering and warm cover-ups for chillier nights. If you are going to Hangout, chances are you started researching swimwear options as soon as you got your tickets. The peculiar thing about Primavera Sound, at least its original Barcelona edition, is that it takes place in the middle of the city.
Held at Parc del Fòrum, you can get to Primavera Sound from the city center by taxi, bus, or subway, or on foot (though it is a long walk), which makes it one of the most cosmopolitan festivals in the world. Another peculiar thing about this festival is its hours; doors don't open until around 4 or 5 p.m. in the evening, and acts keep performing well into the morning hours, so it's not uncommon to come ready from brunch and stick around for half a day in the grounds.
With that in mind and without further ado, this is what I wore to Primavera Sound Barcelona 2024 as a Teen Vogue editor with just a carry-on and a dream.
DAY 1
Primavera Sound Barcelona 2024 started on a Thursday, and I arrived before the doors even opened at 3 p.m. for an interview. Since it was mostly a daylight day for me, I dressed for the warm weather and opted for a vintage checkered men's shirt from Carhartt over long jorts in a black wash from Pull&Bear, some white socks, and my Prada brogues. Since it was super hot during the day in Barcelona, I actually opened up my shirt and wore my bra as a tube top, which I ended up liking more anyway since it gave an otherwise masculine 'fit a softer edge, and I was surprisingly in the mood for that. (I did end up closing up the shirt later on as the festival is by the shore and it gets chilly!)
Of course, I had to bring my trusty Heaven by Marc Jacobs bag, which is made of nylon and makes for a great, easy-to-clean bag that you can just throw around. Though it looks small, this bag actually fits a lot (I'm talking deodorant, hand sanitizer, my Tamburins solid perfume, a small pouch with my lip products and emergency medicine and hair ties, two disposable cameras, and more), which makes it perfect for a festival day, in my opinion.
DAY 2
If you have already read our UGG GoldenGlow review, then you know these shoes feel like a cloud, so of course, I had to bring them out for day two of the festival to walk around between sets. I arrived a little bit later, at around 6 p.m. this day, to catch Silica Gel's set so I knew I had to favor longer sleeves if I wanted to compromise on leg warmth.
This coverup shirt is actually from my father's closet. It's been a staple in my wardrobe for a handful of years now because it washes like a dream, barely creases, and is light enough to wear in the summer if, like me, you feel more comfortable with an extra-oversized layer. To keep it simple but light, I wore a white Levi's tank top and acid-wash “skater” jeans from Pull&Bear, which are super comfy and structured. Packing space was limited, so my bag is the same, but I love it that much and I just decided to put my hair up with a clip I bought in Seoul that matched the UGG sandals. I did bring an extra layer in the form of a Stüssy knit that I conveniently kept inside a locker during the day for when the sun went down, and no complaints!
DAY 3
As soon as I checked the weather app on Saturday and saw it could rain, I knew it was, sadly, time to leave the shorts at home. Instead, I opted for a pair of comfy work pants by Obey, which kept me warm (but not dry) during the day. To keep the latte vibes going, I wore my UGG sandals once again (with a pair of socks inside my bag) and another vintage Carhartt shirt I thrifted in Madrid. Once again, the Heaven by Marc Jacobs bag completed the ‘fit, with my PS lanyard, my Bond Forger charm, and my go-to silver jewelry. (Not pictured, the trash bag I had to put over myself to be able to enjoy Mitski’s set. Note to self: Pack some reusable rain ponchos next time!)
People go all out for festivals, which is nice to see, but it's also nice to be comfortable during days that require hours and hours of standing, and that's what I hope this style diary shows. It's easier to stick to more casual, everyday ensembles when a festival is held in the city like Primavera Sound, sure, but, ultimately, the key is staying true to your own style and not sacrificing functionality for the look. That said, you do need to come prepared with things that you know you'll need during the day, so the backpack or handbag you need (and everything inside it) should be your top concern!
