5 Shoes for summer musical festivals

Dressing for a music festival takes some practise and the knowledge that even if we have studied the variables - from location to weather - as best we can, we'll most likely be at least a little uncomfortable. Mosquitoes will bite us, a passing cloud will trigger a downpour and we will find ourselves soaked and drenched in mud, the sultriness, sweat and crowds will leave the air breathless, standing for hours will cause our backs to ache, the neighbour will spill beer on your favourite t-shirt and the toilet break will cause us to lose our hard-earned front row seat. These are just some of the drawbacks we put up with to experience the live performance of our favourite artists, to experience the unique atmosphere of sharing and almost transcendental excitement that only exists at summer music festivals. We therefore advise you not to worry so much about your appearance and only choose outfits that we feel comfortable in and would wear on any other summer day. The only item you should pay attention to? The shoes. Not only do they have to be pretty, but they also have to be comfortable and protect our feet from possible kicks, sprains or uneven ground.

Below is a selection of shoes for summer music festivals.

Salomon

Coolness and comfort. These are the qualities that have made Salomon's signature trainers, already popular in raver communities in the 90s, the favourite it shoes of celebrities. Besides their eye-catching look, what makes them perfect for the upcoming summer festivals? The innovative design with the overlapping fabric and waterproof inserts, the sole designed for the roughest terrain and the tapered lines that match the outdoor aesthetic. So they are the right footwear for dancing and dealing with sand and grass, concrete and all the other uneven ground that music festivals often take place on. To best combine them, we can take inspiration from the brand's most famous fans, such as Bella Hadid, who often wears them either with a maxi T-shirt as a dress and terry socks or with cargo trousers, while Emily Ratajikowski prefers to wear them with a nude dress and a maxi skirt.

Teva

Is the only way to tackle summer festivals the same preparation as hiking or any other outdoor sport? Maybe. The heat, possible thunderstorms, uneven terrain, standing for hours, the need to move and dance freely, all without sacrificing a modicum of style, rhymes with gorpcore sandals. We advise you to opt for a pair of Teva, perhaps coloured, with or without socks, depending on your personal taste. The ugly shoes, invented in 1984 when a young kayaker loosened the straps of her wristwatch to attach them to her flip-flops to prevent the sandals from sliding downstream, are also popular with many celebrities. Chloë Sevigny pairs her Tevas with romantic cottegecore dresses, Katie Holmes wears them under a breezy boho-style maxi skirt and Gigi Hadid completes her look with them along with shorts and an oversized T-shirt.

Suicoke wake

We have said it before: ugly sandals are a comfortable way to navigate the pitfalls of summer festivals. There are plenty of brands to choose from, but if you want something cool, we'd advise Suicoke, especially a strappy model like the Wake sandals. Within a few years, the Japanese brand has won over more and more people, including many rap and hip-hop stars, but also many ordinary people who have discovered their comfort during curfew. In the meantime, it's hard to imagine many wardrobes without the brand's products, also thanks to the many collaborations that have made them even sweeter, like the one with Cecilie Bahnsen, which is perfect for adding a romantic twist to festival looks.

Dr. Martens

Dr. Martens are probably the most famous boots in the world. First they were part of the wardrobe of the English working class, then they were appropriated by skinheads in the late 1960s until they were worn on stage by Pete Townshend, frontman of the Who, in 1966, making them a symbol of youth counterculture from punks to grunge. Today they are still a cult and may have lost much of their subversive connotation, but not their style and a certain connection to the music world that makes them suitable for festivals. Especially if the venue is England or Northern Europe, where you may have to deal with mud puddles (always keep the Glastonbury images in mind) and changeable weather. How do you wear them in summer? Take a cue from Irina Shayk, Gigi Hadid, Agyness Deyn and Madelyn Cline, who pair them with denim and 90s-style mini dresses.

Vans

Slip-on or lace-up model? Vans Checkerboard or Vans Skool? It does not matter, choose the one you prefer, because you will not find another shoe that embodies Californian chillness better. It's the right vibe to embrace the magic of summer festivals, so Vans are the trainers to have on your feet. Why not rock out to the tunes of our favourite artists in the same shoes that were worn by the Specials and other 2 Tone bands (the second wave of ska music)? The list of celebrities who have them as an essential element in their wardrobe is very long and includes Hailey Bieber, Emma Roberts, Chloë Grace Moretz, Kristen Stewart, Kylie Jenner and Gwen Stefani.