Festival style
How to look the part at a boutique day out
To be honest, I thought I was done with festivals. In my teens it was Reading, and by uni I’d moved on to Glastonbury. An ill-conceived trip to Secret Garden Party a few years ago settled it – I prefer my make-up glitter-free, my wine in a glass and my door with a lock, not a zip, thank you.
So imagine my surprise when last year I found myself at not one, but three festivals – Wilderness, Port Eliot, and Festival No. 6 – and actually liked it. These are a different breed of festival, with literary readings, fashion exhibitions, champagne bars and banquets hosted by Michelin-starred chefs – and music too, of course. These “boutique” festivals might be scoffed at by hardened festival-goers, but they’re bliss for the rest of us, and much more family friendly, too. If you’re inclined to splash out on the “boutique” camping to match, they’re even jollier – though a yurt can cost as much as a villa in the south of France, so be warned.
With an itinerary like this, packing needs a little extra thought: the uniform of hot pants and Hunter wellingtons made popular by Kate Moss and Alexa
Chung is essential for a mudslide, but less so for a sourdough baking class (yes, really). Grown-up festival style can be summed up in a number of rules.
Firstly, be prepared for a downpour. Unless you’re going to Glastonbury, you’re unlikely to need the proper knee-high wellies that foot-deep mud calls for. That being said, it bucketed down at Festival No. 6 last year, a reminder that its setting, the idyllic Italianate village of Portmeirion, is actually in Wales. If the forecast looks patchy, I’d suggest a pair of ankle-high wellies just in case: mine are by French brand Meduse (you can find them on Amazon for around £50), and take up much less space in your bag than a knee-high pair. Uniqlo’s neat little roll-up macs (£24.90) will keep you dry and, crucially, save you from the sartorial low-point that is a plastic poncho, which sadly looks as though you’re wearing a giant condom.
Avoid flimsy shoes. Even if it is sunny and there’s no mud to tread in, there’s always a danger of someone stepping on your foot. Completely flat or more delicate sandals will look shabby by the end of the weekend, so try slightly more substantial styles. I wear Birkenstocks, but if they’re a little too “mung bean” for you, Penelope Chilvers have a good tan crossover strap pair for £169. Trainers will do, obviously, and you can pop plimsolls through a cycle in the washing machine if they come home looking filthy. If you’re after something a little more stylish, though, Hush’s studded black leather ankle boots will work
well with jeans and dresses alike, and the
Cuban heel is comfortable enough for all-day wear.
Pack light layers.
Don’t forget, you’re not in the city, so evenings can get very cold indeed, even after scorchio days. Rather than lug a massive parka around, carry a few extra layers. Lightweight knits – think Bella Freud and Orwell and Austen – are great for this, and a leather jacket will work against light drizzle, too. Or try Boden’s military update on a classic khaki jacket over a floral dress or jeans.
Wear the trousers. As a general rule, trousers are best at festivals, or shorts if you’ve got the legs for them (I don’t, which is why I haven’t owned a pair since I was 11). There’s a fair bit of sitting-on-the-ground involved, and you’ll be more comfortable in trousers. A cropped length – either a turned up chino, or cropped wide-leg jeans – means you won’t get muddy hems or have to worry about trailing in the portaloos. Stick to black, navy and khaki (or darker blue denim) as they’ll be most forgiving of grass stains, wine splashes and general grubbiness. As for what to wear with them, slightly bohemian summer blouses strike the right chord, and you can’t go wrong with a Breton.
If you can’t resist a dress, look for print to cover any stains – a bold floral is perfect. Avoid maxi length (see trouser hems, above) and try this season’s flattering mid-calf instead: a flowing, waterfall hem silhouette will be kind on creases. And it should go without saying, but just in case, there are no ironing facilities at festivals: not even the boutique kind.