Ways To Wear: Festival Fashion (ft Miss Selfridge)

Okay, so when it comes to festivals there’s no real ‘right’ way when it comes to dressing. From my experiences I’ve witnessed style that ranges from short shorts and cowboy tassels, bikinis, band tees and more morphsuits than you can possibly comprehend (that’s without having even visited Bestival yet…) the mantra seems to stand at; if you’re happy and comfortable it’s probably ok. However, when packing for festivals I know how easy it is to opt for the cheapest and oldest denim shorts and vests you own, in fear everything will become damaged and/or pinched and then end up with a backpack a lot of things you certainly wouldn’t normally wear. Okay, things do get a bit dirty (that’s why Ariel was invented) but in general most of my clothing has always stayed in tact, meaning I’m now confident to have a little more fun with my festival fashion, and why shouldn’t we all? It certainly makes the time a little more fun, and by no means has to be expensive. After teaming up with the fab Miss Selfridge; I’ve compiled a selection of various outfits (each for a different festival theme: Dance, Indie, Abroad, Celeb Spotting, and Day festival) and ways to wear them, in hope to give a basic outline on how to create some versatile, interesting and wearable looks for your field trips this summer…

Looks 1-3 were created for your typical ‘indie’ summer festival. Think Reading & Leeds, Field Day, Isle of Wight or Leefest. Obviously the maxi skirt and sandals look is exclusively for something a with little less mud, or even something abroad (this would have been perfect for Benicassim), but teamed with an oversized denim or leather jacket makes for a pretty late night outfit at something a little more whimsical a la The Secret Garden Party. Additionally, the second two looks include two of my favourite festival outfit details: studding and tassels- I even went and matched my boots to my dress, fancy!

A series of looks, created for a series of festivals. Although any of these outfits, could pretty much be worn to any type of festival (bar the heels in look 1- not always practical 😉 the looks go as follows; 1: dance festival (or something for the evening, at Benicassim the main arena was all concrete, meaning you could probably get away with something like this), 2: Day festival- armed with a big Aztec print bag (obviously packed with a rain mac, snacks, and if in England, a woolly jumper just in case!), 3: Celeb spotting- cool jacket and band tee, armed with some huge bad-ass shades to fan-girl over your favourite band crushes as they line the field (so cheesy, but so so true), 4: Dance festival- Perfect for something like Global gathering or Creamfields; a playsuit and a UFO sized top knot make for the perfect outfit to get around in.

I’ve picked these final outfits based on festivals overseas! Having visited Benicassim last year, and with other festivals this summer including Roskilde in Denmark, Exit in Serbia and Pukkelpop in Belgium,these picks will carry you through the scorching daylight heat, to cooler later hours when many sets usually begin. When I was in Spain last year, I didn’t realise that although vests, shorts and bikinis were appropriate day-wear, come the evening (think 7-4 in the morning) when the bands were playing, it became surprisingly cool and breezy meaning chunky cardigans and oversized shirts were pretty necessary. I’m in love with this Olsen esque cardigan from Miss Selfridge, which would look equally as cool over some denim cut-offs!

I hope this gives you a few ideas on how to pack a festival wardrobe, are any of you going to any cool festivals this summer, or have you already been? If so, have fun!