As festivals make their post-pandemic return this summer, so does the panic about what to wear. Like the term smart-casual, “festival fashion” can send even the most seasoned stylish dresser into a tizzy. Battling in a field with the inevitable mud and an unpredictable combination of scorching sunshine followed swiftly by showers means it’s no simple feat trying to look pulled together.
But dressing for festivals doesn’t mean you have to deviate from your go-to wardrobe mainstays, or discard your everyday personal style and taste. Tempting as it is to go all out with the concert cliches and festival basics, opt instead for pieces you’ll get longevity out of. Festival fashion developed a reputation for being disposable, a stand-alone fashion category focused on single-use outfits that got muddy, tagged on Instagram, and then thrown away. A 2022 survey from online thrift store thredUP revealed that 42 per cent of festival shoppers planned to buy a new festival outfit, with almost one in three saying they buy festival outfits that they’ll only wear once.
Instead, this season, smart, sustainable and stylish is the way to go. The lines of festival fashion are quickly blurring with regular weekend wear, with hardworking pieces that do double duty and look just as chic in a field as they would for brunch and beyond. First, look at sophisticated, polished pieces you might already have in your wardrobe and add them to the weekend line-up. “It’s so tempting to rush out and buy something new; chances are you have something perfect to wear buried deep within your closet,” says sustainable advocate Jo Linehan. “Plus, festival gear is rarely something we get more than one go of, so pause and decide exactly what look you want to style and shop your wardrobe first.”
Failing that, you can still give your ensemble a sustainable slant by supporting environmentally-friendly designers, including Feri Folk, Fresh Cuts and The Suss Edit. Pre-loved and charity marketplaces, including Depop, Siopella and Thriftify, as well as your local charity shop, will also throw up unique gems that are festival ready. If you still can’t resist the lure of newness, at least look to pieces that you’ll wear for years to come. “If you are investing in a new festival look, try to think beyond the festival and ask yourself is it going to have a life/purpose after the event?” says personal shopper Orla Sheridan. “All too often festival looks are adding to the fast fashion problem.”
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Just because you’re being considered with your purchases doesn’t mean you can’t have fun, whether it’s from your wardrobe, new, or second-hand, print, colour, and sequins are all encouraged. Combine a trustworthy wardrobe essential with a piece with added pizazz. Contrasts, unexpected pairings, and the right stylish twist are all recipes for a successful festival outfit.
Maybe that twist is pairing a crisp white T-shirt with a sequin skirt finished off, if the forecast allows it, with a sturdy ankle boot or chunky sandal. Try teaming a metallic midi with muddy wellies, or a knit dress with an embellished jacket. Stylist Courtney Smith agrees: “I love when people take something that they wore to a wedding, it may have lots of sequins or tulle, but it’s super dressy and doesn’t get many wears in their wardrobe, and they turn it on its head and team it with a pair of grubby trainers or wellies, and they give that item a new lease of life.”
Regenerating and rejuvenating unexpected wardrobe staples for festivals is a Kate Moss-style special. Everything from a tailored waistcoat to skinny jeans, vinyl leggings to aviator jackets have been given the Moss festival spin and seal of approval, proving you can make anything field-appropriate when you wear it with a heavy dose of confidence and enjoyment.
Another quick way of festival-ising your outfit and giving it a fresh take is with added extras. Gold layered chains, statement belts, cowboy boots, oversized shades and headgear will elevate the simplest outfits. Searches for the festival staple flower crowns on Pinterest are up 139.2 per cent, according to WeThrift.com, but for a unique take, look to Irish designer Margaret O’Connor’s glitter crowns which you could easily rewear for a special occasion.
