The Best Cultures To Appropriate This Festival Season
- Hannah Markus
- Jun 20, 2017
- 3 min read
Knowing what to wear to a festival is always a nightmare, especially seeing as the Instagram opportunities far outweigh the actual enjoyment of the experience these days. Festivals are a great part of British culture, and god knows we don’t have a whole lot of that that’s really our own. Luckily for you, we’ve picked out a few specific styles for you to try, especially if you’re up for experimenting with pushing the bounds of racism!
1. Black female culture.
The Kardashians are doing it. Katy Perry is doing it. And you can do it too. Get those silky locks braided or wrap them up in a scarf, because it doesn’t matter that you don’t need protective styling; designers and magazines have decided that not only do traditionally black hairstyles actually only look good on white women, they’re also ‘new’ and ‘edgy’ looks, rather than styles worn for centuries by women with afro hair, to protect and easily style their uniquely textured hair. So style yourself into some ‘mini buns’ (no, they’re not called Bantu knots), or rock some faux ‘locs, because whilst black women everywhere have been ridiculed, called out for looking ‘unprofessional’, ‘unfeminine’, or ‘ghetto’ for wearing their hair like this, if you’re not black then you can bet your privileged arse that you’ll get a load of Instagram likes for sporting any of these ‘trendy’ looks at Glastonbury.
2. Hindu and South Asian Culture
Everybody knows that the best way to show that you’re a drug-taking, hippie-dippie, free-loving spirit who grew up in a 4-bedroom detached house, holidays once a year in Brittany, and is afraid of homeless people, is to wear a Bindi. Yes, there might be some actual significant meaning behind it that has an important historical and cultural presence to those who traditionally wear them, and reducing them to a mere fashion accessory might be offensive, but who cares really? They’re so pretty, and if you wear one Titus might finger you behind the portaloos at Secret Garden Party after he’s offered you a bump of his mandy.
3. Native American Culture
Cultural appropriation isn’t just for the ladies you know! Here’s a trend that’s popular with the lads too! A massive feather headdress will mark you as the Chief of Banter at Reading 2017, no doubt about it. Overcompensate for your lack of actual individuality or sense of humour by making a mockery of a sacred cultural item that is meant to be worn as a symbol of honour by men from one of the most marginalised cultures in the world. Pro tip: If you’re feeling particularly distasteful you could even paint some warpaint stripes on your cheeks!
4. West African Culture
This is a brand-new one that’s really just hitting the fezzies this year, so, if you’re super cutting edge you can go and get yourself a dashiki for Creamfields. It’s ok that you’re totally ignorant of the different prints that have different meanings and belong to specific tribes. It’s also fine that the people who have traditionally created the styles are exploited and then subsequently erased from mainstream Western culture in their own right; you know those colourful prints are going to look BANGING when you start tripping during Van Buuren’s set.
If you’re confused about any of these styles and cultural garments, and why wearing them if you’re not someone from the culture to whom they belong might be construed as objectionable, please feel free to use any of the many avenues available to you through which people have started a dialogue about the issues. We recommend starting with Google.