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Budapest Sziget music festival outfit! Emma O Clothing crochet dress, designer Hotel Continental Zara.

fashion blogger music festival outfits

Putting aside expectations and stepping outside your usual zone — these can be the most rewarding things you can do.

My video-making trip to Budapest coincided with Sziget Music Festival, an indie-rock event. It isn’t at all Goth/underground like Wave Gotik Treffen or Kinetik Montreal.

Still, why not give it a shot? So I put on a white dress (albeit with a dark twist) and rode the tram to one of the largest music festivals in Europe. Read on to see what my film team and I discovered.

Emma O Clothing, white crochet dresses

What I wore to an outdoor music festival: this striking handmade crochet, off-shoulder dress sent by Sweden-based Emma O Clothing.

I paired it with strappy shoes by Camper, and a studded tank top from Gladnews in Shibuya 109.

handmade crochet dress, emma ostergren

Emma’s designs include an array of crochet dresses, swimsuits and cover-ups in delicate colors. She ships worldwide and gives 60% of all sales to charity in Zimbabwe. You can support my friend via her online store, Instagram and Facebook.

moose head sculpture, budapest hotel suite

When we checked into Hotel Continental Zara (Address: 42 Dohány St) — we noticed Dizzee Rascal and Skunk Anansie standing next to us! Apparently, all the Sziget festival headliners chose to stay here.

And for good reason: the Art Deco meets modern suites have won numerous awards. Hard to believe that the designer hotel used to be a 180 year old Jewish bathhouse.

budapest hungary rooftop

On the top floor, there’s a swimming pool and garden with a soaring view of Budapest’s red roofs.

hotel continental zara, budapest ceiling

Hotel Continental Zara is located in the hipster seventh district that I previously blogged about. One of the many pluses of staying here: you can easily stumble back after a night of ruin pub hopping!

cool modern hotel architecture

I was a fan of the hotel breakfast, which included cappuccino machines and my beloved dark European grain breads.

araz restaurant, barbeque grill food

We also had excellent barbecue at the adjoining Araz Restaurant, featuring a retro mural.

hotel courtyard, pool, sculptures

After walking around outside in the heat, it was nice to come back, drink fresh lemonade and relax in the air-conditioned lobby.

black apple sculpture, design hotel

The courtyard’s black apple is very Evil Queen, no? (I love how you can layer Emma O Clothing in a variety of ways.)

budapest fashion hotel, boutique hotels

Thanks to Hotel Continental Zara for treating us like rock royalty (prices and more info on their Facebook page).

budapest sign, big sculpture sziget festival

Since it was so hot, we waited until the late afternoon before heading to Sziget Festival, held on a small island in the Danube River. Every year, about 400,000 people come to this week-long celebration of music and culture.

sziget music festival swings, art

After the Communist era, a group of students founded Sziget to revitalize the summer concert scene. Today, it’s one of the biggest and best-regarded music festivals in Europe.

sziget bands, concerts, 2013

Sziget is sometimes compared to Burning Man because of the sense of isolation (only people with passes can enter the island) and trippy art sculptures everywhere.

sziget sign, concertgoers

Everywhere you turned, there was something bizarre to behold. A security guard stood next to this sign, preventing climbers from toppling over the letters.

sziget ferris wheel, balloons

Like Coachella, this festival has a Ferris wheel. After Skunk Anansie’s set on the main stage, everyone let their balloons go…

colorful balloons in sky

… up, up and away. Like rainbow sprinkles in the sky.

nightclub lights, outdoor raves

There was an endless list of things to do and see, including a beach, yoga, world music, and techno parties. Tip: in order to buy food or drinks, you must first purchase a special debit card.

sziget luminarium

One of the grooviest attractions was the Luminarium. We took off our shoes and went inside this blow-up tent, not knowing what to expect. Our guide told us we had 15 minutes to explore.

Obuda Island music festival inside luminarium

And what a mind-trip! Inspired by Eastern religions, the Luminarium glows with light. We wandered the tunnels, and meditated in the little caves. (Photography in this post by Melissa Rundle and Eric Bergemann).

steampunk theater, live performance

The festival brought together some of the top indie acts. Among the performances we enjoyed: Bat for Lashes, Nick Cave, Chase & Status, and this Steampunk automotive show.

sziget festival ferris wheel, night lights

It’s hard to convey the sense of wonder I felt at Sziget through photos. I hope you’ll get a chance to visit Budapest and see what it’s all about.

Hungarian Parliament Building, budapest gold lights

On the taxi ride back, we got this King Midas view of Hungarian Parliament over the water. (Tip: research Budapest taxi companies and take reputable ones like City. Ask your hotel or a tourist office to call one for you. Don’t get ripped off by no-names.)

meditation silhouette, buddha meditating pose

Have you been to a music festival? What was your experience like, and what did you wear?

More Eurail-Vision coverage is on the way. If you’re keen to do a train trip like ours, check out Eurail.com’s student packages and other affordable options. Thanks to everyone for making our travels possible.

SHARE & COMMENT

40 Comments

  1. Jacky C
    Posted September 3, 2013 at 12:11 am | Permalink

    I just bought your book , but what I can’t understand is why
    I just found out about you. You are awesome ;)

  2. Black Rose
    Posted September 3, 2013 at 12:12 am | Permalink

    Lovely ♥ I am a fan of Emma now.

  3. julia
    Posted September 3, 2013 at 12:13 am | Permalink

    i am glad you go to my country! (* _ * )

  4. Didymus
    Posted September 3, 2013 at 12:46 am | Permalink

    I want to go see the Budapest sign, way cooler than Hollywood

  5. MelissaR
    Posted September 3, 2013 at 1:39 am | Permalink

    Sziget is the best!

  6. Lola
    Posted September 3, 2013 at 5:10 am | Permalink

    Gorg outfit.
    Xx Lola

  7. Heathyr
    Posted September 3, 2013 at 6:59 pm | Permalink

    Loved this!!

  8. Wendy
    Posted September 3, 2013 at 7:01 pm | Permalink

    :) :)

  9. pat
    Posted September 3, 2013 at 7:01 pm | Permalink

    I’m going to have to visit someday

  10. Diane
    Posted September 3, 2013 at 7:10 pm | Permalink

    Awesome. WIN

  11. nala
    Posted September 3, 2013 at 8:58 pm | Permalink

    great ❤❤❤

  12. Euri
    Posted September 4, 2013 at 3:29 am | Permalink

    Sexy outfit! :3

  13. Ms. Thrillz
    Posted September 4, 2013 at 8:23 am | Permalink

    You’re hair is really cute. I like the way it’s clipped on the top.

    • lacarmina
      Posted September 4, 2013 at 7:45 pm | Permalink

      Thank you dear! Trying to experiment with different twists and braids.

  14. Val
    Posted September 4, 2013 at 5:23 pm | Permalink

    Genial look

  15. Hills
    Posted September 4, 2013 at 7:13 pm | Permalink

    Pretty

  16. Asta
    Posted September 4, 2013 at 7:14 pm | Permalink

    You look gorgeous! That looks like a festival that would’ve been right up my alley my friend.

  17. Karen
    Posted September 4, 2013 at 7:34 pm | Permalink

    I totally do goth white!

  18. Heidi
    Posted September 4, 2013 at 7:34 pm | Permalink

    It is perfect layered and I love the black juxtaposed with the knitted white.
    And, it is Basil Yuen Farrow fur friendly! No lint rolling >^,,^<

  19. Hadie
    Posted September 4, 2013 at 7:34 pm | Permalink

    You made them crazy?:0)

  20. Georgina F
    Posted September 4, 2013 at 7:34 pm | Permalink

    of course we can wear white we can wear whatever colour we choose

  21. Gabriel
    Posted September 4, 2013 at 7:35 pm | Permalink

    Goth is a state of mind. Fuck I dress more street and wear more color than the traditional goth. But it doesn’t keep me from rocking to Christian Death and Siouxsie!

  22. Jarhead
    Posted September 5, 2013 at 4:54 am | Permalink

    Cool hotel. I stayed in one like That in LA. Had a court yard too.

  23. Charlie
    Posted September 6, 2013 at 3:20 am | Permalink

    Nice thanks for Sharing

  24. Pap
    Posted September 6, 2013 at 6:38 am | Permalink

    Damn

  25. Late fall
    Posted September 6, 2013 at 7:16 am | Permalink

    Spectacular
    Xoxo

  26. Map
    Posted September 14, 2013 at 2:50 am | Permalink

    Very nice, thank you for sharing this. Very interesting and impressive.

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