Festival Fashion: 9 Outfit essentials to complete your look in 2024
If there's one thing we've noticed at our events over the years, it's what a good-looking bunch of people there are in our crowd! Inspired by our wonderful fashion-forward partiers, we've compiled a list of outfit essentials for your next festival appearance.
Images taken at various events at The Wyldes by photographers Rob Feather, Matthew Hawkey and Kitty Eilish
We’ve seen everything, from funky faux fur coats and vintage ensembles, to full-body cardboard costumes. At a festival or outdoor event, literally anything goes - and often, more is more - so don’t hold back, have fun with your wardrobe if you feel like it, and make sure that whatever you’re wearing, you feel great.
Image taken at Leopallooza 2019 by photographer Rob Feather
A more sustainable sparkle
It's no secret that glitter is not the best for our beautiful planet, so for your next festival makeover make the swap to eco-glitter - there are so many options to choose from out there, so you can still coordinate your glitter with your outfit. Alternatively go full Persephone and opt instead for real dried flowers, you can press real wild flowers ahead of time yourself for free, and when done right, it can give a real high fashion edge to a fun festival look.
It's fun, it's an instant transformation, and it'll get everyone in your group ready for a night of throwing shapes and singing along to your favourite headliner.
Image taken at Ministry of Sound Classical Live in The Wyldes by photographer Matthew Hawkey
THAT shiny jumpsuit
Sequins and lycra are a favourite festival combo, they look great day or night, they’re surprisingly comfortable to dance in, and you’ll feel like a million dollars every time you wear it. BUT before you scour the internet for the best deal, we'd recommend putting some serious thought in before you buy that sparkly one-piece.
Will you wear it over and over again?
Will it stand the test of time?
If the answer is no, then our advice is don’t get one - opt instead for more versatile pieces that you will wear often, and leave the sparkle to the eco-glitter on your face.
If the answer is yes, then it's worth spending a bit more to get one from a company who delivers just as much as they promise. Yes, you can get a shiny sequinned coat for next to nothing on the internet, but they are often poor quality, their employee working conditions are unsafe or unfair, and their clothes will leave you with more sequins on the floor of your tent than on your body. In our opinion, the trade off just isn't worth it.
So by all means, buy THAT shiny jumpsuit, but first make sure it’s worth it. Research companies before you buy to check up on the working conditions of their employees and their impact on the environment, and invest in the companies who's ethos matches your own.
One of our favourite conscious festival fashion retailers is L.O.M. Fashion - based in Brighton, L.O.M. Design, print and sew all their garments in the UK, and make clothes that will look great rave after rave.
Rosa Bloom is another iconic brand specialising in super high quality hand-sewn sequinned pieces that will have you outshining the stars on the stage. They put working conditions high on their priorities list, and are transparent about what they are doing to improve their impact.*
*These are non-affiliated links, we just love what these companies are about!
Image taken at Leopallooza 2019 by photographer Rob Feather
Your nan’s Wardrobe
One of the best places to find those one-of-a-kind gems? Grandma's wardrobe!
Going second-hand is the way forward, and with high street stores copying the looks of twenty years ago, we say go straight to the source. Charity shops, second-hand clothing stores and apps like Vinted are full of unique vintage pieces, and it's by far the best way of getting great clothes for cheap!
For festivals we love second-hand faux fur coats (flashy and practical), jaunty hats, loud patterned shirts and oversized denim or leather jackets. You can even customise your second-hand pieces by adding embroidery, patches, tassels and badges or brooches to make them more you.
Our favourite local second-hand shops: The Really Groovy Shop in Camelford (an absolute treasure-trove of vintage clothes) and Vintage Superstore near Launceston (great for American vintage pieces, with a wide array of fun jackets, jeans and funky shirts).
Images taken at various events at The Wyldes by photographers Rob Feather, Matthew Hawkey and Kitty Eilish
GO HANDMADE
Got a creative flair?
One of the best ways to express your true self is by making part or all of your festival outfit yourself.
Get busy with a glue gun and some seashells and make a glorious crown fit for festival royalty, or seek inspiration in your recycling bin and craft your outfit entirely out of cardboard - the possibilities are endless.
If it all goes well, you’ll end up with a unique wearable piece of art - plus strangers will ask where you got it, and there's nothing like the glow that comes from being able to reply “Oh this, I made it”.
Image taken at Leopallooza 2023 by photographer Kitty Eilish
A BUM BAG
truly one of the best ways to carry your stuff at a festival, a bum bag is handy, it's surprisingly roomy, and you can get them in all colours, fabrics and styles, so you can always find one in your style.
There are some brilliant vintage ones out there or you could make one yourself!
Image taken at Rudimental Live in The Wyldes 2023 by photographer Matthew Hawkey
THE t-shirt
Nothing says 'this isn't my first rodeo' like wearing a gig t-shirt - music is a big part of your life, so it only makes sense for your favourite events to feature on your clothes.
A great concert tee will always look cool, and will help you re-live the amazing time you had every time you wear it.
Each year here at The Wyldes, we curate and design a special limited collection of merch for our events to suit all our music fans, and we make sure that our threads mirror our ethos - our merch is sourced from companies that are fair-wear accredited, and who use recycled or organic fibres wherever possible. It also features designs from selected local artists, and is printed locally using eco-conscious methods. Shop our current range here, or our new collection on-site at our next event.
Image taken at Leopallooza 2023 by photographer Rob Feather
A sturdy pair of boots
It may seem obvious, but a good pair of boots is a must for a British festival - you'll need to be comfy in them all day, they need to be able to withstand rain and mud, and depending on the event, you might have to walk quite far in them!
Whatever the weather, boots have become a staple feature of a festival outfit, and they can add a nice contrast to whatever you have going on up top - pair Doc Marten boots with a sequinned leotard, a floral dress, a hawaiian shirt and shorts - they'll rock up any outfit.
Image taken at Leopallooza 2023 by photographer Kitty Eilish
A stylish pair of sunglasses
Rain or shine, a fun pair of sunglasses will elevate your look instantly. The more colourful and quirky, the better.
Image taken at Leopallooza 2023 by photographer Matthew Hawkey
Light up your outfit
One way to jazz up a festival outfit or costume is by stringing battery powered fairy lights into your hair, poncho or umbrella! It's instant fashion magic, plus if you're with a group, you'll be easy to find.
And that’s it! 9 of our favourite festival fashion tips for your next outdoor event or concert. Whichever ones you fit into your ‘fit, make sure to let us know by tagging us in your photos - we love to see you being your best self.
Haven’t booked your next event yet? Well what are you waiting for? We’ve got lots happening in 2024 - check out what’s on below. We’ll see you by the stage!