YOUR FESTIVAL PACKING LIST
Festival season starts earlier each year, and those few days of music, chaos, and uneven stools you've lined up will be here before you know it. But before heading to the land where glitter and mud end up in inexplicable places, you need to make sure your wardrobe is properly prepared for whatever a festival may have to offer.
Below is your ultimate list of packaging essentials, all of
which are inexpensive and great value for money.
1. SWIMSUITS
Whether it's on a fake beach in Hyde Park or on the shores of lake-sized puddles at Worthy Farm, when the sun finally rises at a festival, you'll want to strip down and jump into the nearest body of water.
Keep your modesty intact and pack swim shorts instead. The
mainstays of Topman Street, Next Street, and River Island produce a wide range
of low-cost, stylish swimmers that are perfect for distracting from soft skin
and looking great on goosebumps. We recommend: Medium length red swim shorts,
available from River Island,
River Island Mid Length Swim Shorts in Red
2. A HOODED MAC
No matter how strong you think your style is, your festival wardrobe isn't complete without a stylish hooded raincoat to keep you dry in style. This is really a no-brainer, especially when the alternative is a plastic garbage bag / poncho.
The hood is an essential and often overlooked addition that
not only helps keep your hair in check, but also provides added protection once
the inevitable downpour hits. Plus, modern tech styles are extremely
lightweight, which means it can be stowed in your backpack until you need it.
While there are inexpensive raincoats available on the
market, it's best not to skimp here as you really need to protect yourself from
the elements. Fortunately, Norwegian specialists Rains produce a wide range of
waterproof jackets in contemporary colors at exceptional prices. We Recommend:
The Rains Breaker Waterproof Jacket, available from ASOS, priced £ 75.
Rains Breaker Waterproof Jacket
3. THE SWEATSHIRT
One of the key arms in your festival arsenal is a mighty
sweater. Not only do they look great with jeans or chinos, but wallet-friendly
sweatshirts can also be incredibly versatile.
Wear it in place of your covering when the sun goes down at night, or under your warm clothing when heading to the portaloo in the middle of the night and you're concerned about mosquitoes eating you alive.
Plus, opting for an inexpensive option means you won't worry about using it to sit on or as a towel. Try choosing one with zipper details, like the Zara option below, for something a little different. We recommend: Side sweatshirt with zip, available at Zara.
Zara sweatshirt with side zip
4. THE HAWAEN SHIRT
The only thing to wear when serving cocktails with a
miniature umbrella, it's no wonder the Hawaiian shirt has become a staple for
movie stars and the stage when the mercury rises.
Trends for SS15, put on a traditional hibiscus-covered look
for festivals at home or abroad, and step back when it's obvious to everyone
around you that you're the best dressed man in the world. We recommend: Fitted
shirt with F&F Hawaiian print, available at Tesco F&F Clothing,
F&F Slim Fit Hawaiian Print Shirt
5. SLIDE TENNIS
You'll hear a lot of people praising sandals, especially
Birkenstocks, again this summer, which is great. But really, nothing beats the
comfort of a tennis shoe, especially when you factor in the amount of time you
spend on your feet at a festival.
For maximum versatility, opt for a leather pair, which can
be cleaned of mud relatively easily and feels a bit sturdier than its material
counterparts.
Vans are the benchmark here, with the brand's classic
slip-ons pushing you back. A godsend when you consider the wear and tear you'll
continue to suffer once you get home. We recommend: Vans slip-on leather
sneakers, available at ASOS,
Vans leather slip-on sneakers
6. SLIMLINE PANTS
Fortunately, sweatpants have seen a major image upgrade in recent seasons, meaning they are no longer the stash of tough boys and gym bunnies. In addition, this new generation of joggers is perfect for leg warmers.