The Weekend Read✨Our Ultimate Guide to Festival Fashion

Jenny Goldsmith | Read in 9 minutes

Hello!

Ah, the British summer. The season of strawberries, sunburn and — of course — festivals. Across the UK, from muddy fields in Somerset to sun-drenched beaches in Cornwall, there’s a buzz in the air. Festivals have become a quintessential part of the British summer, drawing crowds of all ages in search of music, culture, creativity and that elusive sense of freedom only found in a field with glitter on your cheeks and your favourite band on stage. Whether you’re a seasoned Glastonbury veteran, a family-friendly Camp Bestival type, or dipping your toes into the field-based fun for the first time, one thing’s for certain: festival fashion is about feeling fabulous.

But with every festival comes the age-old question: what do I wear? We're here to help you find your perfect festival look — one that’s totally you, totally wearable and in full harmony with your unique colour season and style personality. So before you grab your flower crown or panic-buy a neon poncho, let’s take a moment to talk about how to bring your style personality, seasonal colours, and a bit of practical know-how into play. Because yes — you can survive a festival and look fabulous doing it.

A Brief History of Festival Style

British festivals aren’t exactly new. Britain's love of music in a field goes back to folk festivals in the 1950s, psychedelic free-spirited gatherings of the ’60s, Woodstock-inspired hippies at the first Glastonbury in 1970 and the punk energy of the early Isle of Wight crowds. Through the '90s and early 2000s, festivals like Reading and Leeds added grunge and indie sleaze to the mix, and today, festivals are a tapestry of expression, sustainability, and style. With events like Boomtown, Wilderness, Boardmasters, and even literary and wellness festivals like Hay and Soul Circus, there’s something for everyone. And as the crowds have diversified, so has festival fashion.

Gone are the days of one-size-fits-all outfits. Now, it’s about standing out while staying true to yourself, which is where your House of Colour seasonal palette and style personality come in to play.

The Weekend Read✨Our Ultimate Guide to Festival Fashion

Your Personal Festival Look

This is where the magic of House of Colour really stands out. Because while it might be tempting to throw on denim shorts and a slogan tee, your clothing personality deserves a spotlight too. Festivals are the perfect excuse to have fun with your look.

So, let’s take a wander through our style personalities and how they might show up in a field near you:

Dramatics: Festivals are your fashion playground. You’ll love an edgy metallic jumpsuit, oversized sunglasses, or statement shoulder pads. Think utility boots, bold geometric jewellery, and vibrant colour blocking in your season. Don’t forget the powerful red lip and some dramatic, graphic eyeliner.
Classics: You’ll opt for polished practicality — perhaps a tailored co-ord set, a well-fitting jumpsuit, or a smart denim jacket. Footwear is functional but sleek such as waterproof Chelsea boots. Structured sunglasses, a neat backpack, and chic make-up complete the look.
Naturals: Comfort meets style. Soft layers, oversized knits, breathable fabrics — think linen shorts with a flowing blouse and comfy, stylish trainers. Accessorise with a wide-brimmed hat and a slouchy crossbody bag.
Gamines: Festivals are your time to shine in quirky prints, cropped silhouettes and playful accessories. Go for bold lip colours in your season, a denim jacket with pins, or funky patterned trousers with a slogan tee.
Ingenues: Soft, pretty, and detailed — think tea dresses, bows and ditsy florals. Add feminine accessories like pearl hair clips, small satchels, and dainty layered necklaces. Make-up stays youthful with dewy skin, rosy lips, and fluttery lashes.
Romantics: You bring the glamour! Embroidered dresses, lace-trimmed kimonos and soft floral prints in your seasonal palette. Load up your jewellery and pair oversize sunglasses with a bold lip and plenty of shimmer.

Now here’s the thing. You don’t have to become someone else to enjoy a festival. The best outfits aren’t about following trends or blending in with the glittery crowd. They’re about feeling like you, only a bit more sun-kissed - or windswept - depending on the weather!

Dressing for the British Weather

Let’s be honest, festival dressing in the UK requires a level of weather awareness usually reserved for farmers and wedding planners. Sunshine is glorious, but the odds of experiencing different microclimates in a single day are high. So how do we prepare?

Layers are your best friend.

A lightweight, waterproof jacket in your seasonal neutral or wow shade will go with everything and will look far more considered than a bin bag poncho.

Scarves are useful for warmth, shade, and a quick outfit lift.

Think breathable base layers — they’ll keep you cool in the day but warm when the sun dips behind a cloud.

Don’t forget your legs. If it’s dry, a midi skirt or cropped trouser can look brilliant and keep you cool. But if you suspect rain? A quick-drying, knee-length short in a performance fabric can be a lifesaver.

The Festival Footwear Conundrum

Ah, the eternal festival footwear debate. Sandals or wellies? Trainers or boots? Let’s break it down.

For dry days, fashion trainers in your colours or metallics are perfect for those of you who like to be comfortable and practical. For those of you who prefer to feel the air between your toes, try Birkenstocks or lightweight trekking sandals.
If the ground is damp, chunky ankle boots or walking boots give you more support and will keep you dry. Just make sure you can dance in them.
If it’s full-on wet and muddy, embrace your wellies — but go for ones in your colour palette. Yes, navy, red and mustard wellies exist. Adding a pair of cosy welly socks in a pop of colour will keep your toes happy and your look cohesive.

Don't forget to pack blister plasters, just in case. And remember, comfort first— you’ll be dancing, queuing, and possibly wading through mud.

Festival-Chic Accessories

Accessories can absolutely make your festival look — and they’re brilliant for introducing seasonal colours without committing to a whole outfit change. A lightweight scarf in one of your wow colours can double as a shawl, headwrap or even a blanket. Hairbands, scrunchies or bandanas in your palette are practical and stylish. Hats are a great way to make a statement so try wide brims, bucket styles or caps. For jewellery, wear stackable rings, ear cuffs and layered necklaces.

The right bag is essential. Crossbodies are ideal — you’ll want your hands free for food, friends, and spontaneous dancing. Try a bold, colour-pop bum bag or belt bag, or a backpack with clever compartments. If it’s raining, water-resistant materials are a must.

And don’t forget sunglasses. Dramatic? Go bold. Romantic or Ingenue? Try vintage cat-eyes. Natural? Think tortoiseshell from your season.

Skincare Essentials

Your skin doesn’t know you’re away for the weekend — so treat it kindly. Festival days are long, sweaty, and often dusty, which means your skincare needs to pull its weight.

Start with the House of Colour Vitamin Mist — something light but effective to refresh your face throughout the day. Keep a mini micellar water or cleansing balm handy (especially if you’re wearing make-up) and bring reusable cotton pads to keep things sustainable.

SPF is a non-negotiable. Pack one for your face and one for your body — and reapply often. A mineral powder SPF is perfect for topping up without smudging your make-up, and they come in translucent or tinted formulas to suit your skin tone.

Moisturiser-wise, go for something lightweight but hard-working. Anything with hyaluronic acid will keep your skin plump and comfortable. And don’t forget lip balm with SPF — chapped lips are not the best look.

Make-up Fun at Any Age

Festival make-up is about giving you permission to push the boundaries of what you normally wear. That doesn't mean you need glitter across your entire face, it's about keeping things fresh, colourful, and different.

If you’re in your 20s or 30s, you can go for a bold eyeliner, a pop of glitter, and a punchy lip colour. A BB cream, blusher and a slick of mascara might be all you need for daytime, but feel free to go bolder for evening performances.

If you're in your 40s to 60s, you want to lean into radiant skin, a statement lipstick and a defined eye. Go dewy with your base and a mix of blusher and bronzer will keep your skin glowing and youthful, even if you’ve only had three hours of sleep in a tent.

70s and over? Keep it elegant and effortless. A soft lip in a wow shade, light foundation, a flutter of mascara and a touch of colour on your cheeks is all you need. A navy or brown liner will add definition without harshness.

Final Thoughts: Your Festival Style, Your Way

Ultimately, festival fashion is about feeling free — free to express, explore, and enjoy. Whether you're a camper in your sixties heading to WOMAD or a twenty-something catching waves and music at Boardmasters, you deserve to feel good in your skin and your style.

Lean into your palette and personality. Your Summer pinks, Autumn blues, Spring greens, or Winter ices can shine just as bright as any headliner. And when you dress in line with your colour and style, something magical happens: your confidence becomes your best accessory.

So pack that SPF, pull on your boots (or sandals), and get ready to dance like no one’s watching, because your festival fashion is officially sorted.

Click Here For Your Festival Fashion Inspiration

Enjoy your weekend! Next week's 'The Weekend Read' is all about shoes! Look out for that next Saturday.

Best wishes,

Jenny & Judi x