11 festival fashion favourites from a first-timer

Music festival season is upon us and I’m a festival virgin. My first will be All Together Now and here’s what I will be wearing…

With the August bank holiday weekend on its way, I’m thinking about clothes.

This isn’t an unusual occurrence. Bank holidays usually mean excursions which require dressing up. This has never bothered and, to be perfectly honest, I relish any excuse to look glam. However, this year it’s is going to be slightly different.

For the first time ever, I am going to a music festival. An actual festival where one camps and “washes” themselves with baby wipes and gets braids in their hair.

“I want to look like Alexa Chung and Kate Moss all at once.”

Friends tell me I am not the camping type. My mother tells me I won’t last. My father laughs in my face.

I say to hell with them; I can and will do this.

I will deal with the lack of water pipes and sleeping on the ground situation when I get there. The fashion, on the other hand, is an issue I must deal with immediately.

Festival fashion has moved from looking like a boho dream to dressing like a power ranger. Neon plastic contraptions are now a trend. Everyone to their own and all that, but for me, this will never sweeten my sartorial taste buds.

I want something chic, which makes me look effortless. I want to look like Alexa Chung and Kate Moss all at once.

The beauty of festival fashion is that anything goes, but if you want to keep it simple and not look like a cartoon, I have a few festival fashion tips:

Dresses

Dresses will be your best friend. Midi or maxi, they require no effort and will live with you outside of the festival wonderland too.

Wellies

Wellies may be a necessity depending on the weather but if it holds dry, a classic cowboy pair will elevate the style kudos. And if there is a boot that goes with everything, these are it.

Pair with jeans, denim shorts, dresses or skirts – basically anything in your wardrobe.

Jacket

Don’t forget a jacket. Friends have warned me it gets incredibly cold once the sun says goodbye, so be prepared.

The Arket bomber jacket below is from the men’s section but, in my opinion, a woman would wear it better.

The quintessential layering piece, this will be a festival favourite.

Accessories

Don’t shy away from hats, jewellery and accessories.

A hat will save you from any hair disasters, and layering jewellery will transform an outfit.

Laugh

Have fun with it. There are no rules and if you want to wear plastic neon do it.

However, to keep it as simple as possible, don’t overthink it.

Make sure you feel comfortable because that is the best accessory you can get.

Our favourite festival picks:

Ditsy ruffle mini tea dress, €52 at Topshop

Quilted liner jacket, €79 at Arket

Asos Design felt matador hat with multi ring strap, €30.42 at Asos

Striped top with knotted front, €19.95 at Zara

Jacket with fringing, €49.99 at H&M

Weekday boyfriend shorts with rolled hem in week blue, €48.39 at Asos

Harlem taupe western boots, €125 at Topshop

Pleated animal skirt, €39.95 at Zara

Joshua Tree graphic tee, €19 at & Other Stories

Black crochet drawstring bucket bag, €59 at Charles & Keith

Puff sleeve maxi dress, €48 at Warehouse

Read more: How to dress for summer in the city when you’re just not used to hot weather