The biggest festival in Manchester’s cultural calendar is finally underway, and while it might have gotten off to a bit of a wet start, there’s plenty of sunshine thanks to Parklife festival goers and their fabulous outfits. The Heaton Park site is already awash with colourful costumes, psychedelic two-pieces and of course, lots of bucket hats.
80,000 people per day are attending Parklife again this year, which returns to its usual June spot following a September stint last year due to the pandemic. The “starting pistol of the festival season”, as Sacha Lord told the Manchester Evening News a few weeks ago, this year certainly feels like we’re back to ‘normal’ - and the colourful outfits and party spirit are certainly testament to that.
The drizzle hasn’t deterred seasoned music fans and this year fancy dress and bikinis as outwear are reigning supreme. Here’s some of the key fashion trends we’ve seen at Parklife so far.
Bright and bold
As soon as we rocked up at Heaton Park this morning, one trend stood out immediately - bold and colourful two pieces. Mixed up with animal prints and flashes of neon, nothing says 'Parklife is back' better than this.
Beer Hats (without the beer)
When it comes to Manchester music festivals, bucket hats are a given, so it's nice to see some festival-goers mixing it up this year with cowgirl hats spotted amongst the crowds.
Bucket Hats
Talking of bucket hats...
If you forgot yours this year (don't worry, happens to the best of us), fear not because they're being sold outside the festival near the entrance gates.
Man bags
The not too distant cousin of the bucket hat is out in full force. A winning combo for sure.
It's all in the eye wear
While the weather might not feel like, this year's sunglasses game is very Coachella-meets-Burning-Man. Whether they can see out of them, well, that's another question.
Psychedelic prints
As well as animal print, there's a lot of 70s inspired prints doing the rounds. While some have mixed in the neon trend, with bold shocks of radioactive green and hot pink, these music-fans are channelling Ibiza with these pale blue tones.
Cagoule but make it fashion
The weather might not have held out this afternoon but you can always rely on Mancs to pivot when it comes to the rain. Let's be honest, cagoules and ponchos aren't exactly high fashion, but it's nice to see people having a bit of fun with it.
Bikinis as outwear
Look, it's not that warm but it's a festival so you've got to go all out, and credit to these festival-goers for braving the showers and wind in the name of fashion.
Prehistoric realness
No explanation needed.
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