Wireless festival bans 'cultural appropriation' clothing as it starts today
If your one of the thousands of revellers heading to Finsbury Park as Wireless Festival kicks off today (12 July), you might want to make sure your fashion choices abide by the rules.
Organisers of the three-day event in north London have banned any clothing or other items which promote 'cultural appropriation' this year, in what is believed to be a bid to promote respect and inclusivity.
So if you were thinking of recreating Adele's Notting Hill carnival outfit from 2020, don't.
According to the new guidelines surrounding the dress code, attendees are forbidden from wearing a lot of garments and accessories which have become a main staple at music festivals.
Advert
As well as being warned to dress 'for any weather eventuality' due to the barmy climate we're currently living in, those heading to Wireless are prohibited from wearing anything that has a hint of cultural appropriation.
This is understood to include ponchos, sombreros and headdresses, according to The Times.
The official guidance shared on the festival's website states that 'clothing/garments/items which promote cultural appropriation' are not allowed.
It is not clear what the consequences are for attendees who rock up with attire that is deemed to be adopted from different cultures or traditions, although it's safe to presume accessories will likely be confiscated.
This is the topic which the majority of social media users seemed most concerned about, as people shared their thoughts about how the rule would be enforced on X.
One said: "I'd be interested to see the security/entry guard training that they received to help them decide what is/isn't cultural appropriation here..."
Another added: "I’m so looking forward to hearing about the ridiculous 'judgements' that are going to be handed down by power mad lanyard wearers!"
The policing of festival fashion has managed to stoke the flames of Brits, who often take the opportunity to express themselves through their clothing at events such as Wireless.
However, you can still have a great weekend without sporting anything offensive - so don't worry too much.
Celebrities aren't immune from being called out over their cultural appropriation either, as the likes of Kendall Jenner - who wore the Indian bridal jewellery a nath - and Vanessa Hudgens - who wore a bindi at Coachella - have been slammed for their styling choices previously.
Critics blasted the stars for borrowing bits and pieces from another culture for the sake of festival outfits.
UK events like Wireless, Reading Festival and even Glastonbury have been reassessing the rules about dress codes recently.
Those heading to Finsbury Park this weekend are also banned from bringing bags larger than A4 in size, selfie sticks, metal water bottles, soft drinks and cooking apparatus or cutlery.
Not that anyone was planning on whipping up a storm in between sets, but yeah.
As well as the new guidelines about festival garms, Wireless are also dealing with chaos behind the scenes.
Four acts - 'Water' hitmaker Tyla, rapper Digga D, US star Flo Milli and rapper Veeze - will no longer be performing as planned, leaving festivalgoers fuming.
Oh, and Sunday is also being cut short so that everyone can watch the Euro 2024 finals.
Happy Wireless weekend everybody!
Olivia Burke