WHAT TO WEAR TO A MUSIC FESTIVAL

In this guide, we answer the number one question on every girl’s mind this summer, what to wear to a music festival?

You've had the ticket for months and as the time gets closer the excitement builds as the music festival approaches. Whether it's Longitude, Electric Picnic, Indiependence or one of the others dozens of music festivals with amazing line-ups this year, you want to ensure that you look good while having the time of your life.

The key to dressing up for any festival is comfort. Make sure check the weather forecast and try to pack essential items that will cover whatever aspect the weather or circumstance may bring.

This guide will (hopefully) provide you with:

• The most appropriate festival wear for when it’s hot, cold or raining.

• The things you should and shouldn’t wear to a music festival.

• The best places to shop for a festival clothes.

FESTIVAL SHOES & FOOTWEAR

Flats. Flats. Flats. Remember that you are going to be on your feet most of the time so you wouldn’t want blisters spoiling the fun, and lets be real it is way easier to dance in flats.

Classic Doc Martens are ideal for festivals waterproof and the variety of styles, colours and lengths allow for any look that you want to achieve.

COMFY AND TRENDING: ADIDAS SUPERSTAR Should Docs grunge not be your scene, quality trainers like as Nike or Adidas are always winners. Many brands (ASOS, New Look) offer shoes that look like the real thing and although most knockoffs won’t last as long as the originals, they are much better on the pocket.

**Tip: Don’t wear open shoes if you intend standing right in front of the stage in the middle of the action to watch your favourite band or artist. Cuts from broken bottles or over-zealous fellow festival goers stomping on your toes could ruin your experience.

Where to shop for festival shoes: For everything from women’s trainers (Converse, Nike & Adidas) to high heels and sandals; try Office and Schuh or ASOS.

Don’t forget your trustworthy high-street stores for the latest festival styles and shoe fashion. Check out River Island, New Look and Penneys.

FESTIVAL TOPS

Do:

• Consider a strapless top to avoid unsightly tan lines at summer events. Go braless if you are comfortable with that or wear a strapless bra. Ensure that both the bra and top are of the elastic kind and do not have wiring or boning as this will cause chaffing especially when you get sweaty.

Don’t:

• Do not wear that pricey strappy blouse you bought at the high-end boutique store. The annoying drunk guy behind you that keeps on bumping into you will accidentally burn it with his cigarette. If your heart breaks at the thought of your top getting damaged, leave it at home and save it for another occasion. Additionally, you don’t want to be tugging at your blouse the whole time because it needs constant readjustments.

• Avoid packing a bulky, heavy jacket . If you get hot, you will need to carry it around. Instead, take a buttoned-up shirt (in a classic check or plaid), a sweatshirt, or even a jersey for the chillier moments. When you overheat, these can just be easily tied around your waist.

Best sites to shop for festival clothes:

• boohoo.com

• prettylittlething.com

• Asos

• Missguided

FESTIVAL BOTTOMS, JEANS AND TROUSERS

Jeans and shorts are always a winner and can be dressed up or down as desired.

Bootleg, bell bottoms, cut-offs, pedal pushers – the choices are endless. Besides being versatile and easy to match, they are super comfortable as long as you don’t put on the pair that you need the pliers to pull the zip up with. Additionally, too tight provides the possibility of an embarrassing seam rip.

Do:

• Pick a traditional blue jean or one of a darker shade. It’s okay to wear these a day or two in a row and you definitely will not be the only one. Avoid light colours that can get dirty easily.

• Cargo style pants with multiple pockets are also fantastic for keeping all that you need with you.

Don't:

• Avoid wearing a short skirt if you don’t want to flash. You will be sitting on the ground, maybe kidding around whatever. Unless you are Britney Spears, you don’t want to be giving others an eyeful. If you wish to wear a short skirt, wear tights underneath or even a boy-cut bikini bottom or underwear can suffice.

• Resist from putting on your sexy leather pants or faux snake skins in the summer, no matter how awesome they make you look. The sweat will make you extremely uncomfortable, cause painful chaffing and make you berate yourself the entire time. Just don’t do it!

FESTIVAL BAGS

A very handy bag to have at a festival is a cross body or a satchel with a long strap. This can be carried on your persons at all times while keeping your hands free and is ideal for valuables and necessities like your phone, keys, make-up, money, medicines, etc. Bum bags are also a great alternative, they are ideal for festival in both fashion and security.

Do:

• Only carry necessities in the bag that you have on you. Leave all other items that are not essential in the car, in your rucksack or at your campsite.

Don’t:

• Avoid choosing a bag that is too big or chunky. You need to lug it around with you the whole time and don’t want to feel weighed down or bulky.

FESTIVAL HATS

A wide-brimmed, floppy hat is always a good idea for sun protection during the day. Even cloudy or overcast weather can result in sunburn. UV protection for your face can be optimised by wearing a base or moisturiser that has a high SPF factor.

FESTIVAL ACCESSORIES & MAKEUP

Accessories are the perfect means to enhance your style and coordinate your outfit. Belts, earrings, pendants, hair clips, badges and patches can all be used to make your outfit eye-catching and unique.

Do:

• Save the samples of moisturiser or sun block that you get for free in your fashion magazine for festival events. They are small enough to carry on you and allow for application as needed.

• Make sure you have done your nails properly. No skimping on topcoat as that will stop unsightly chipping. If you cannot afford a manicure or are too busy or lazy to do the full process, use a gel type of nail polish, like the Sally Hansen Gel Varnish. These are a great shortcut, as most include top and bottom coats in the formula.

• Always have an emery board in your bag. Snags always happen when you least expect it.

Don’t:

• Don’t take grandma’s antique ring or your most expensive bracelet. Unfortunately, no matter where you go, there will always be shady characters around and valuable items can easily disappear. When packing, you should keep in mind the possibility of losing things when partying too hard.

• Don’t take your expensive RayBans; which took moths to save up for. Take a cheaper, bright plastic pair of sunglasses instead. It’s okay, they’re totally in fashion! **Tip: Penneys sunglasses are a festival essential with 100's of styles available and a very reasonable price.