Clairo skirt, brat top? A (slightly edited) Slack conversation between Zoe and Rebecca.
Zoe Walker Ahwa: Important question! What are you wearing to Laneway??
TikTok clearly knows I have a tiny bit of first timer anxiety because my algorithm has been video after video of adorable 20-year-olds asking ‘what are we wearing to Laneway!?’ / thoughts on my Laneway outfit?’ / ‘what’s your Laneway aesthetic?’ / ‘Clairo skirt, brat top?’. What is it about this festival that makes people so intense?!
Rebecca Wadey: I don’t think it’s Laneway specific. People are intense about festivals in general. Each festival has its own aesthetic – it’s a vibe, it’s all part of the fun. I mean, look at Splore. People spend all year preparing for that. I’m old enough to remember Big Day Out intensity and that was before capitalism via social media algorithms freaked everyone tf out. That said, I’m an observer, not a participant.
ZWA: YES 1000% – I loved the Big Day Out because it felt like a true mixed bag (an ensemble!) of people and vibes and dress. But I also can’t really remember anything ‘fashion’ about it?? Other than that year a lot of guys were wearing T-shirts that said ‘TOOL’ and my friends and I thought that was the funniest thing ever (we were young, OK…). I don’t think I have one photo of me at the BDO…
I put a call out on Instagram about Laneway, and a few people replied – someone mentioned having “iterations of wardrobe panic like I do nearly every year”, and another described the Laneway aesthetic as being “everyone is hot” (lol). Which is probably a big part of the stress factor for some. Plus the Charli/brat factor.
But seriously: what are you gonna wear?
RW: There are no photos from BDO because there were no phones! But I remember being envious of curvy girls with the confidence to wear bikini tops, and a lot of body glitter and face paint. I will not be bringing any of that vibe to Laneway, although I have been tempted by glitter freckles on Instagram. As I said, I’m an observer not a participant, I dress for comfort because for me that is the top priority. If you can wear platform boots and have a good time I am very jealous!
My outfit will start with sneakers (my adidas Taekwondo are the most comfy) and possibly a cute sock then I will work my way up. And while I’m not sure I can pull off glitter freckles I am tempted to have a play with some fun eyes – anyone who sees my purchase history in Nice Things will know I own a stash of Violette FR Yeux Paints – perhaps this is my opportunity to finally break those out?
Sunblock will be the number one face product though. I’m loving the new Emma Lewisham one, the texture is amazing, it’s slightly tinted and gives me skin a great glow - plus most importantly it’s effective. And possibly a hat although we all know how much I love a hair accessory so will have to think carefully on this one.
ZWA: Def on the hair accessory – I’m tempted by Caitlin Snell's flower hair clips, very Beabadoobee/Clairo vibes. I love how she wore a Sandy Liang rosette pinned to a white shirt last year!
Fun eyes – I never wear creative makeup but maybe I’ll channel some of Lara’s blue eyeshadow intel with the Half Magic singles (love this 'Daydreamies' colour), the Mecca Max cornflower blue liquid liner or even this literal face crayon that feels like even makeup rookies like me could use.
RW: Please can you do something cute and random and fun? I’m also imagining you in some kind of twee yet political tee? What do you have planned?
ZWA: I am definitely going to be more twee than brat… I have to be honest, it’s been years since I’ve been to a festival (I had tickets to the 2022 Laneway but we all know how that ended) so I’m out of practice, but like you any outfit is going to be grounded in practicality rather than looking hot!!
Sneakers. Probably a twee light cotton dress. A cap. Sunscreen and lots of it (also loving the Emma Lewisham one)! I’m also excited about the Bizarre Bazaar Auckland pop up in St Kevin’s Arcade opening on Wednesday – they have such a good eye for vintage and small independent designers, which is very Laneway.
I do really love the people watching at festivals and how people – young people lol – do dress up. It’s nice to see people in Auckland taking risks, making an effort and having fun. I'm excited to see what street style Abi snaps this year.
RW: I attended the first Laneway in Aotearoa, at Britomart when it was still a concrete car park and the only food and drink available was an hour-long queue to a bad stadium food truck. The music (Echo and the Bunnymen, Chris Knox) was incredible but the feet were sore and it was HOT. The following year at Wynyard Quarter was no better. And I actually haven’t been since it became more park-like.
Ugh I’m thinking back now to the last Big Day Out I went to in maybe 2004 and I was undergoing a chemical menopause for cancer treatment and it was awful. Why are all my festival memories of heat trauma? Maybe I’ll take a hand fan.
ZWA: I remember hearing about the unshaded concrete hotbox of those early years. Sounds like my idea of hell! Hand fan, essential...
Who are you excited to see this year?
RW: I mean duh it’s Charli xcx who got me to give up a long weekend in the Coromandel. And because I am old I am considering only going at night time – thereby solving the heat and hat issue! How about you?
ZWA: The most Rebecca answer ever 💗
I bought my very expensive ticket for Charli too, duh – I’m excited to sweat and dance and lose my shit to 365. Excited for a chill set from Clairo – I’m a new fan since Charm. Will be watching Remi Wolf, Olivia Dean, Beabadoobee, all the girlies. That guy from Stranger Things who has that TikTok song? Will try go to the Goblin Girls comedy show – so cool Johanna is doing that at Laneway!! But mostly just excited to just mill about and discover things and bump into people.
In terms of the fashion convo though – this is the best Laneway TikTok I saw, like a breath of grown up, pragmatic air within the algorithm, asking why we’re not all just re-wearing things we already have. Which, yes!!! That is what I will actually be doing.
RW: Oh I have no intention of buying anything to wear. In these unprecedented times? Lol.
