Finding Appropriate Attire

Tips For Your First Pride Parade

19 May 2016 by Bojana Graus

Whether you are marching as an active member of the community or simply as a supporter, Pride is an important event on the LGBT calendar. If this is your first Pride parade or march, you may be a little nervous. The media often shows participants in outlandish costumes, but this may not be your style – at least not the first year. Fortunately, the point of Pride is to embrace everyone for both their similarities and their differences, so there is no dress code. The following guide can help you dress comfortably and ensure that you bring everything you need for the event.

What is your role?

When it comes to Pride, there are two main roles – marcher or spectator. As a spectator you are free to wear anything you like, while marchers may be encouraged to dress a certain way to complement the group they are marching with. The goal as a spectator is to be comfortable, especially in warm weather. A t-shirt and jeans, shorts, or a skirt are comfortable options. Consider showing more support for the day's events by having an LGBT-supportive message on your t-shirt. If you are a marcher but with no dress requirements, you can still play it low in a Pride t-shirt if you prefer, but in this case you should definitely consider having a custom shirt printed with a message that reflects the ideals of the group you are marching with. If custom clothing isn't your style or you aren't sure what to get, then consider going with one of the traditional Pride symbols, such as the inverted triangle or anything in rainbow hues. You can also opt for the Trans* Pride symbol if you want a simple yet powerful design.

Should you bring anything?

Pride events differ by city, but most will last a couple of hours at a minimum. For this reason it is important to have water and a snack with you. A small messenger-style bag works well in the crowd since it crosses your body – making it both harder to lose and less likely to be snatched. Consider placing a Pride decal on it or even sewing a small Pride flag to the strap. This way it stands out so you can easily find your bag if it is lost, and it adds to the supportive vibes of the event. Stock it with plenty of water, a few protein-packed snacks, and something to protect you from the sun. Sunblock is a must, but you may even want to have a sun hat or ball cap printed up to match the LGBT-supportive message on your shirt.

Are there any special concerns?

Pride events are generally peaceful but the activity level is high. The main concerns revolve around heat exhaustion, dehydration, and fatigue, so dressing in weather-appropriate clothing and staying hydrated can help mitigate these worries. It's also a good idea to go with a group of friends so if you do suffer from any of these problems, you have support nearby. Also, set up a meeting spot with your group so you can quickly find each other if you are separated during the festivities. This is where having matching shirts printed for everyone can help make it easier to find one another in a crowd. Another option to help your group come together in the crowd is to wear matching Pride hats or to carry flags.

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