Wellies, mud, portaloos…oh, and music. Just some of the things that spring to mind when thinking about festival season. Whether you’re enjoying a Great British Glasto weekend or going glam Stateside (Coachella, we mean you), festival dressing has its own rules, key items and beloved silhouettes that revellers return to time and time again.
But what are fashion-forward music lovers wearing to this summer’s biggest gigs? Noughties festival staples like flower crowns and body glitter were nowhere to be seen as Coachella attendees opted for Western and boho influences. Later in the year, Glastonbury favoured more pared-back looks and an overall cooler and more understated vibe. One thing’s for sure: festival fashion is more wearable in 2024 – pieces feel less throwaway as people choose comfort over wear-it-once style. We’ve scoured the pics from this year’s hottest music events and spotted 5 must-have trends emerging from the crowds – the best part is, you might already have them in your wardrobe! Reach for these pieces now and keep them on rotation long after festival season is over…
Slip Dresses
A satin slip dress can be one of the most hard-working pieces in your wardrobe. Alexa Chung showed us how to dress down the slip at Glastonbury when she stepped out in a lemon yellow, lace-trimmed dress by Dôen – paired with a cable-knit cardi, leather boots and a waxed Barbour jacket from her upcoming collection. Satin dresses work equally well dressed up at summer weddings, styled with an updo and a pointed kitten heel…or worn out to dinner with an oversized t-shirt, boxy blazer and trainers. The possibilities are endless, and if there’s anyone we’d take festival fashion inspo from, it’s Alexa.
Tartan
Tartan checks were the print of choice for this year’s performers – artists including Gwen Stefani and Avril Lavigne stuck to their rock ‘n’ roll roots by wearing mismatched tartan ensembles, while Olivia Dean combined the print with another summer trend – the bubble hem skirt. The resurgence in tartan minis has largely been driven by British-Bulgarian design duo Chopova Lowena, whose Carabiner skirts have gained a devoted following over the past few seasons. Sienna Miller took the minimalist route and wore a checked Barbour jacket with loose-fitting white jeans and Chloe sunglasses, proving that this trend is wearable both subtly and loud and proud.
Leather Jackets
A leather jacket is the perfect festival cover-up – light enough to keep you warm when the sun goes down and ideal if the heavens open mid-set. Hailey Bieber wore hers big and boxy with oversized cuffs, while Little Simz performed at Glastonbury wearing a personalised motto jacket. You can’t go wrong with leather right now – baggy, bomber or a fitted style from the early noughties, anything goes. Dig yours out and throw it on over everything you own until it’s cold enough for a coat.
Cowboy Boots
Maybe it’s Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour effect, but country music is having a moment. It’s also led to a surge in Western-style fashion, confirming cowboy boots as the official shoe of the summer. Sabrina Carpenter, Paris Hilton and Emma Roberts all drew on the Wild West for their Coachella festival fits. A stand-out look came from actress Halle Bailey, who posed in the Californian sunshine wearing Western boots with an iridescent chainmail top, jorts (that’s jean shorts) and a silver chain belt. While leather boots may not seem like the most summer-appropriate shoe, they’re a practical choice when faced with the mud or dust of festival grounds. In the real world, their versatility means they look great with mini dresses, midi shorts and flowing maxi skirts – not only that, but they’ll see you into autumn and beyond!
Leopard Print
DJ and Podcaster Annie Mac opted for an eclectic festival look – practical but cool, her leopard print trousers made a statement without being over the top. Leopard print has been considered a style staple for a long time, with many counting the print as a neutral in their wardrobe. This year, leopard gilets and tie-front tops are still achieving cult status; mix them with colour pop accents or use the print subtly in your accessories – a leopard scarf or shoe always adds some edge to your look.
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