Festival Fashion: What To Wear At a Music Festival

The summer months in Britain offer a deluge of music festivals, which are often the saving grace for anyone who can’t find the time or money to organise a trip abroad.

The music — and the general campsite experience — will always deliver the opportunity for a great time; but small details, such as wearing unsuitable clothing, can often put a blot on an otherwise enjoyable occasion. A little planning beforehand should ensure that everything runs smoothly, allowing you to fully embrace the festival spirit.

Checking a weather forecast before packing is always advisable. If it’s going to be a weekend of searing heat you’ll have no use for a stack of jumpers, while if it’s going to be wet the whole time there may be no real need for flip-flops or beach shorts. Packing light is advisable but taking more underwear and socks than you think you’ll need is a good idea, especially if rain is forecast.

Suitable footwear is also vital. Most likely, you’re going to be spending all day in the same pair, so buying new shoes that haven’t been broken in yet isn’t recommended. Obviously, if you’re expecting a lot of rain and mud, wellies are the logical choice.

Looking your best is always important, even at a festival. If you’re camping, you won’t have full length mirrors to check out your style and being able to make a quick getaway from the campsite to the stage is important if you want a good spot at the front. That means having a pre-planned look — either something you’ve worn before or something you’ve bought specially — can give you a head start. With the constant threat of muddy, slippery fields doubled with the inevitable liquids being drank — and thrown — by members of the crowd, your clothes are always at risk. Wearing dark or colourful clothes will help hide any stains that you pick up along the way.

Wearing a hat can help protect you from wet projectiles in the crowd and can also shield you from the elements; whether it’s rain or the sun beating down on you, standing outside all day can leave you open to attack. If hot weather is predicted, it’s always best to also wear suntan lotion and sunglasses. Sporting sunburn is not only uncomfortable, it can also dangerous to your health.

If it is sunny, a T-shirt and a pair of shorts should suffice; but at colder — or wetter — times, wearing additional clothing is required. A light, waterproof jacket is useful but if you forget one then most campsites will sell ponchos. Combat trousers have many pockets, which is handy for storing your festival essentials while taking a jumper to wear at night makes the campsite a bit more comfortable.

Wearing the right festival wear can often make a big difference to your enjoyment of an event; whether that involves swimming in mud, or baking in the sunshine.

Disclaimer: Matthew Pressman writes for a wide variety of commercial clients. This article is intended for information purposes only and readers should seek additional information before taking any actions based on its content.