Got a shit load of festivals this summer, but no idea what to wear? Don't panic! Here's our guide to avoid looking like a basic bloke...
For some people, fashion at a music festival is merely an afterthought, and getting dressed in the morning is simply an inconvenience that separates them from their breakfast cider.
For others, the festival grounds are a muddy catwalk on which to parade carefully curated festival fits in the hope they'll end up on a Best Festival Fashion round-up.
Whichever category you find yourself in, it's easy to make a festival fashion faux-pas - whether that's by wearing something straight-up unacceptable (like a morphsuit or, even worse, a Borat style mankini), or just looking a bit basic.
But don't worry, help is at hand, as we've rounded up our 9 tips to take you from basic bloke to the Virgil Abloh of Boomtown.
1. Whatever you do, avoid cheesy tees
T-shirts are the most basic of festival attire, and yet there's so much you can get wrong.
As a rule, you should avoid 'funny' t-shirts (you know, like 'Your mum's fit' and 'Pussy Patrol') like the plague - they're never as amusing as you think they are. Also, stag do T-shirts are not acceptable under any circumstances; trust me, everyone already knows you're on one.
Instead, opt for a graphic tee - the funny T-shirt's more sophisticated older brother. Festivals are great place to experiment with your wardrobe, so go for something out-there and eye catching. There are so many independent brands bringing out creative and unique pieces, so you'll have plenty to choose from.
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2. Don't hold back on patterns and colours
If you can't wear loud patterns and bold colours at a festival, where can you?
Neon and tie dye are going to be huge this summer, so integrate these into your festival wardrobe and not only will you be bang on-trend, but there'll also be less chance of your mates loosing you between the portaloos and falafel queue at 3am.
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3. Fancy dress is never as funny as you think it will be
Look, I get that fancy dress can seem like a good idea at the time - you and your mates get together, everyone's buzzing about your big weekend, and then someone suggests it would be jokes if you all dressed as Smurfs - but it's really not. Not only will your costume probably be hot and uncomfortable, but everyone will assume you're on a stag do and inevitably scream ALAN at you wherever you go. So maybe give the group costume a miss this year, yeah?
4. Pack a mac (yes, I'm your mum)
Obviously we're all hoping for super-sunny festival times, but let's be realistic - there's a good chance it's gonna rain (this is the good old British summer after all). So if you want to avoid being the guy shivering in his soaking T-shirt (or even worse, the one wearing the £2 poncho), you should invest in a proper nice waterproof before you go.
From brand new macs to sports luxe vintage anoraks, there are plenty of wavey options for wet days.
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5. Get down with dungarees
Yes, we're talking dungarees for dudes (dudarees? No? Ok, well we tried!). Yes, dungarees feel a bit 'out-there' for men right now, but they're getting more popular all the time, so if you jump on them now you'll be able to be really fucking smug when everyone else is wearing them in six months.
Not only that, but dungarees are PERFECT festival attire; they're practical (soo many pockets), they're durable, and they're great for layering. Plus -and arguably most importantly - you'll probably be one of a few guys who's brave enough to rock them, which will undoubtedly earn you extra points with all the fashion-forward girls.
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6. Don't forget the details
We all know that good accessories can make or break an outfit on a regular day, so why should it be any different at a festival? If anything, it's more important as you've got far more free rein to experiment.
If you're into jewellery, double up on what you'd usually wear for more impact - rings on every finger, double chains, stick the lot on!
If you're not fan of jewellery, just focus on the practical accessories instead. Sunglasses and hats are must (unless you want to get sun stroke). Hat wise, stay away from the backwards snapback or straw hat look - it's not 2011 anymore. Instead, opt for a bucket hat (2018's biggest, baddest summer hat trend) or dadcore cap.
When it comes to sunglasses you can't go wrong with a classic pair of tortoiseshell Wayfarer-style shades, they're timeless and will look good with anything. But obviously you're at a festival, so you've got the freedom to experiment with some slightly more obscure colours and shapes. Just don't make wearing kooky sunglasses your 'thing' for the weekend.
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7. Up your side bag game
Side bags are the unsung heroes of festival fashion tbh - not only do they keep all your shit safe and in one place (which is vital when you're off-your-face), but they also look steezy. And while they were originally worn tentatively (and, let's be honest, a little ironically), they're now fully acceptable outside of the festival environment, so why not splash out a little bit? Because after your side bag has gotten you safely through a festival without loosing anything, you'll never want to take it off again.
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8. There is no shame in rocking a full tracksuit all weekend
Disclaimer: this is definitely something for the rainier days, do not wear a full tracksuit in the sun at a busy festival. You will pass out.
The key thing that all festival outfits should be is comfy. When it's 3am and you've just thrown up an £8 halloumi wrap and you can't find your tent, it's going to help the situation if you're wearing comfy clothes. And there are few things comfier than a full tracksuit.
Not only are they comfy, they're effortlessly stylish and a great way to save on space when packing (obviously bring more than one though, you don't want to be THAT guy). Add the side bag and some accessories and you've got yourself a banging, low-key look.
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9. The long and short of it
Hopefully your festival experience will be a picturesque cider advert, with clear skies, green grass and happy smiley people all around. In this picture you're probably wearing shorts, right? Are you wearing denim shorts? If so, listen very carefully; denim shorts are the biggest fashion crime in recent history. Shorts should be made of THIN material, not denim! When has anyone ever talked about the cooling capabilities of denim?
So if denim's out, what's in? We suggest patterned Patterned shorts are a great way to make a statement while still keeping it simple, so bare this in mind as well.
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