Rivkie Baum
Not sure what to wear to a festival? Our practical guide has you covered. We've rounded up our all-time favourite celebrity festival looks to help you curate the most stylish and practical festival wardrobe to ensure you feel and look your best this summer.
With Glastonbury just around the corner, festival season is upon us, and if you've been on the circuit for years, you'll probably have your festival wardrobe sorted. However, if you're new to this type of music and culture event, some of which can last for around 4-5 days, then you might be wondering what to wear. Practicality is key, and if you're planning on making a festival a regular part of your summer calendar, then developing a capsule wardrobe for festival season is a smart idea.
While there are many different types of summer festivals, lasting for varying periods, the common denominator is that they're all largely hosted outside. This means that when deciding what to wear to a festival, outfits need to deal with unpredictable weather, so as well as considering what to wear in the heat, layering up is also key. And while you might be tempted to rock your fanciest footwear, you will always be better off in comfortable and durable options that can face unpredictable weather, muddy terrain, and long walks.
What to wear to a festival: according to fashion editors
If you're having a sartorial meltdown over what to wear to a festival this summer, start by taking stock of the festival you're attending. If you're going to a multi-day festival such as Glastonbury, comfortable basics with some added style statements should be your go-to. Notoriously muddy, you'll need practical footwear, such as a pair of wellington boots from popular outdoors brand, Hunter, and one of the best waterproof jackets to keep you dry in sudden downpours.
Style influencer and writer Hayley Stewart @curvesncurlsuk has got it sorted when it comes to festival fashion:
"I want my festival style to combine fabulousness with comfort. I always take my Dr. Martens and pair them with floaty boho mini dresses and shorts. Throw in some sequins for extra fabulous. Add in some statement sunnies and biodegradable face glitter, and don’t forget to pack layers. You’ll want a raincoat or waterproof poncho and a jumper; it can get chilly at night."
1. Denim Shorts, Cowboy Boots & Cargo Jacket
Kate Moss is renowned for her historic Glastonbury outfits, and her laid-back yet effortlessly cool looks are a brilliant place to seek inspiration when considering what to wear to a festival.
Denim shorts are practical, hardwearing, and versatile, and are a great basis for a festival outfit. Shorts are often chosen over jeans, as festivals are held in the summer months, and you might find your regular denims too warm. Combine your shorts with some playful cowboy boots for a boho-esque finish and layer up with a lightweight cargo jacket or cotton blazer just like Moss did back in 2010.
The trick to making these refined and simple festival outfits work is all in the accessories. If you're wearing darker shades, add some chunky gold earrings and a long pendant necklace to make the outfit pop. To finish, add large framed sunglasses.
A lightweight cargo jacket is a go-to staple for layering up at festivals. Ideal for when the weather turns, and light enough to carry through the crowds, this is the ultimate practical and stylish find. Plus, the large pockets are fantastic for holding your festival essentials.
With added stretch, these shorts make it easy to answer the question of what to wear to a festival whilst feeling comfortable and cool. Shorts will always come in handy, ideal for the summer, and they'll work perfectly for holidays too.
Slightly longer than your average cowboy boots, these knee-high beauties will see you through festival season and beyond. Style with laid-back denim shorts, floaty midi-skirts or satin maxi dresses.
2. Mini Dress, Waxed Jacket & Leather Boots
When it comes to putting together a fun yet practical festival outfit, a vibrant, colourfully toned mini dress is an easy win that you can slip on and off inside your tent without any hassle. Inspired by Alexa's 2022 look, style the dress with a waxed jacket and leather knee-high boots for an elevated yet rain-ready look.
Butter yellow is everywhere, and this linen-blend dress is the ultimate way to wear the trend. A vibrant coloured mini-dress is a fantastic staple for festival dressing, easy to throw on and brilliant for pairing with knee-high boots or the best wellies.
British festivals are synonymous with rainy weather, so we would advise you to be prepared. A waxed jacket from one of the best British brands is a fantastic investment piece, layer over a vibrant coloured dress, and add leather boots for the ultimate festival attire.
Some sturdy knee-high boots will certainly do the trick to keep your feet warm and dry at a festival. These leather boots also feature pillow-soft footbeds to keep you blister-free, too, ideal for long days on your feet.
3. Raincoat, Baggy Trousers & Wellies
Jackets play an extremely important part in working out what to wear to a festival. With the potential for sudden downpours and the high and low temperatures of the day (or several days) and evenings to contend with, a good rain jacket can make or break your festival wardrobe.
If you're keeping the rest of your look fairly neutral, you may want to utilize your jacket as the key piece to your look, opting for one in a bright colour or playful print like Sienna's gingham jacket. Style with breathable linen or cotton trousers, and finish off the look with short Wellington boots.
This gingham rain jacket is ideal for the summer festival circuit. With a few colours and prints to choose from, this fun and fashionable raincoat not only works to protect you from the rain, but it also looks stylish and on-trend too.
These relaxed cotton trousers and made from a soft fabric blend and feature an elasticated waistband for maximum ease. Style these with a breathable t-shirt and practical Wellington boots whilst festival-going.
Fitflop's genius soles are made with your feet in mind, and they feature shock-absorbing technology so you can wear them all day long. Read our review of these short wellies here for more reasons why they are a winning investment.
4. Maxi Dress, Knee High Boots & Oversized Sunglasses
Wearing a dress at a festival is a great way to make an impact, and you don't have to pack lots of separate layers to form a cohesive outfit. Plus, a floaty maxi-dress will fit into the bohemian dress code of most festivals, win-win.
Consider the cut of your dress, floaty and sleeveless will prove the most practical on the warmest of festival days. You can also layer a raincoat or waxed jacket over the top, just like Alexa's butter yellow Glastonbury outfit. Add some practical leather boots and choose a pair of sunglasses from the 2025 sunglasses trends, and you're good to go.
This maxi dress features a sweetheart neckline and beautiful decorative ruffles across the neck and sleeves. Not only will this work for festivals, but whatever the occasion this summer, this dress is up to the task.
These boots have a smooth leather exterior and a knee-high length that is equestrian-inspired. Team with a ruffled maxi-dress through the festival season, and wear into the autumn months with your favourite skinny jeans.
From slipping into your holiday suitcase, to keeping you shaded at a festival. These large sunglasses will see you through the summer in style. The large square frames tend to flatter most face shapes, too.
5. Printed Flares, Graphic T-shirt & Crossbody Bag
Take inspiration from Annie Mac's vibrant festival attire from last year's Glastonbury by pairing some funky leopard-printed flares with a graphic t-shirt and a handy crossbody bag. Finish the look with a coordinated raincoat or warm jacket, and you're good to go.
A crossbody bag is a wise investment if you're headed to a festival, it keeps your essentials secure and hands-free whilst adding a stylish touch to your outfit that won't weigh you down as you walk through crowds. Opt for bright, bold colourways to liven up your look.
These high waisted leopard print trousers feature a slightly flared silhouette and a side zip finish. If you're looking to stand out from the crowd, these trousers will certainly help you do so.
With a fun, playful lobster print, this t-shirt is a practical go-to for pairing with your favourite jeans or trousers through the warmer months. Style with leopard print flares and gold jewellery for a stand-out festival outfit.
Now majorly discounted in the sale, this Ella Crossbody Bag is perfectly sized if you're wondering what to wear to a festival. It's handcrafted from full-grain leather, and there's lots of room for all your essentials
6. Playsuit, Comfy trainers & Oversized Jacket
Jo Whiley's playsuit and tiger print fur jacket look is an easy outfit formula to recreate when searching for what to wear to a festival. Playsuits are a practical festival option because they're an all-in-one outfit that's easy to style and comfortable to move in, ideal for dancing, walking, and sitting on the grass. Finish with some of the most comfortable trainers in a bright, colourful shade and you're good to go.
It might seem counterintuitive to pack a fur jacket for a summer festival, but if you're camping all weekend long, you're bound to experience some low temperatures, especially at festivals held in the UK.
This collared jumpsuit comes in a soft green colour as well as three other shades. It features a comfortable elasticated back waist and an all-in-one design. Pair with your favourite trainers, or wellington boots when the weather turns.
If you want to make an impact, this playful beige and grey patterned fur coat will certainly help you do so. Layer over almost any of your festival outfits for an instantly elevated look.
You probably don't want to take your best white trainers along with you to a festival, where mud and unpredictable weather tend to be commonplace. Opt for some colourful trainers that won't show marks too visibly if they get scuffed.
FAQs
What to pack for Glastonbury?
Our woman&home Social Editor, Luisa Rossi, advises, "I’m heading to my sixth Glastonbury Festival this weekend and I’ve learned a thing or two about festival fashion over the years. My biggest pieces of advice? 1. Comfort is key, and 2. pack for all types of weather. I’ll always take a few midi skirts with me as they’re comfortable whatever the weather. If the weather is nice, they keep you cool and provide coverage from the sun. If it’s bad, they cover your legs but aren’t long enough to get muddy or wet."
Later, saying, "In terms of footwear, I like to wear some of my most trustworthy and comfortable boots, and it’s even better if they’re waterproof. If you buy something new, be sure to wear it in for a few weeks beforehand. If you’re short on time, these Amazon silicone heel pads work wonders for keeping blisters at bay. I always take a jacket because, even if the Great British weather is on side, it still gets cold in the evenings. I’d recommend a durable faux leather jacket as they’re both stylish and practical (plus they will go with all of your outfits!)."
What to wear to a festival when you're 40?
In theory, anything that will make you feel confident and comfortable. Age shouldn't limit what you wear, no matter the occasion, so really, this all depends on your style. Our advice would be to lean into your existing fashion favourites. A festival is also a great space to try out new staples and to experiment with bold colours, prints, or fabrics.
Where to buy festival clothes
There are no hard and fast rules as to where to shop for your festival outfits, but do think about how much you want to spend, because there is no guarantee that all your clothes will return in the state they left.
Brands such as Hunter make great waterproofs and wellies that are perfect for festival season and beyond. Companies such as Free People sell bohemian pieces that are perfect for festival outfits as they have the right look and feel for the event.
Most importantly, be comfortable and set yourself a budget and compile a shopping list so that you don't over or under-buy.
