The days when music festivals were nothing more than a haven for hippies are gone. Nowadays, whatever your style and music preference, it’s likely that you’ll be packing your bags as soon as the sun comes out for a long weekend of mayhem, music, and mud. But for those of you who wear your new Topshop heels into Uni despite the torrential storms and hide your perfectly coiffed locks under a Papyrus umbrella, the idea of spending more than one day in a muddy field without your ghds may seem a tad daunting. But fear no more. Whether you’ll be moshing away at Download or getting your rave on at Global Gathering help is at hand to turn you into the belle of the bogland.
While you may want to rush out and but yourself a new pair of designer wellies straightaway, even the most fabulous fashionistas have to remember to be practical and sort out their festival ‘living’ arrangements. Like it or not you’re stuck in a tent for four days, and buying a last-minute flimsy number at the festival itself won’t do you any favours. For the few of you who are willing to go practical rather than pretty, Millets is the place for durable tents in a variety of colours and prices. For the fashion victims, there’s the obvious Cath Kidston route. Just think of how easy it shall be to find your flowery haven in a sea of army green tents. Of course, if you’re strapped for cash tying a pretty ribbon around the top of your cheap Asda tent to help find it at night and going a bit crazy with the glittery spray paint should have a (slightly) similar effect.
Unless you’re jetting off to a festival in somewhere slightly less monsoon-esque, you will need to be equiped with the waterproof stuff. If the thought of pink flowery wellies makes you want to retch, you’ll be glad to hear that Topshop have brought out pairs of black and dark green wellies at a very reasonable £20. If you’re willing to spend a bit more check out Hunter wellies at www.wellie-web.com, where Kate Moss herself picked up her festival footwear.
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Keep things comfy with your attire. Miss Selfridge and New Look are perfect for girly girls who want floaty dresses and Kate Moss wannabes should visit River Island for cropped shorts, finishing off the look with a comfy American Apparel tank. Leave the skinny jeans at home. The ever-reliable Topshop should provide you with headgear, from trilbys to floppy-brimmed hats, all under £25. Those who prefer to take the fancy-dress route should head to Hellfire for fairy wings, facepaint and fishnets. Sunglasses are always a must, and for stylish pairs Urban Outfitters is the place to go. From retro heart-shaped sunglasses to red ‘Buddy Holly’ style shades for under £20 there’s plenty to choose from. Finally throw in an American Apparel hoodie dress (£28) to keep you snug as the sun goes down, and don’t forget your mac in a sac!
So after you’ve braved a few days at your chosen festival, when you hear all those fools harping on about festivals being ‘only about the music’, you can roll your perfectly made-up eyes, don those sunglasses, spray on a few extra pounds of dry shampoo and stride confidently through the mud, ‘cause you know you look gorgeous.
By Hannah May Kilroy
