Festival Clothes

Happy Friday everyone! Now with festival lineups and tickets being released, I think its about time to do another Festival Friday. Of course there are lots of things I could write about, but there is one very important part of festivals that I haven't really spoken about. OUTFITS!

Most festivals have a anything goes rule when it comes to clothes, the more your outfit clashes the better in most cases or just very little clothing at all works too. Although with the second suggestion may I remind you it can get pretty cold. However there are some festivals that are a bit like a fashion show (Coachella), now I'm not the most stylish person in the world, but I like to think I have my own sense of style. But I have done a bit of research and asked some experts and come up with some websites that seem to cater for the more fashion aware festival goer.

So anyone who knows me well will know I'm big into all things colourful, sparkly and shiny. Obviously not every festival calls for the same level of effort to go into what to wear. But that's where I intend to help you give you an idea of what kind of thing to wear to each festival to fit in or (even better in my opinion) stand out! 

Festivals like Bestival, Secret Garden Party, Wilderness, Shambala and Latitude as well as many more, usually have a fancy dress theme, or at least a day where you have to dress up over the weekend. Most festivals have released their themes for the weekends now, so get researching to make sure you are dressed to impress!

Have a little look at each of the websites to find a great range of awesome clothes and accessories. I have sorted the websites by who they say they cater for, however I would still recommend having a look at everything, because everyone looks incredible in glittery body suits. Enjoy!

BOTH

http://festivalfanatics.com/

The home of festival gear and accessories. All the coolest, funkiest and most unique festival and rave gear out there.

http://www.fairylove.com/
Bespoke wings and unique, magical dress up clothing and accessories for everyone.

http://shop.stateofdisarray.co.uk/
Dedicated to dressing party people and performers in the most awesome attire. See the universe reflected in your spandex.

http://www.foragedesign.com/
Design and produce clothing, pocket belts and bags, jewellery, and funky, fair trade, finger knitted hats.

http://www.secretemporium.com/en/

A creative platform for independent design talent.

https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/SexGypsies?ref=hdr_shop_menu
Beautiful, quality charmed outwear fit for any festival and perfect to unleash your inner gypsy.

http://omgaiatree.com/
Stylish, comfortable clothing to live life in.

http://funkandflash.com/
Clothing that exemplifies the very best in the world wide festival culture.

http://phoenixrisingartists.com/
Warriors, regal... rugged.

http://www.beyondretro.com/en/
One-of-a-kind clothing and accessories, bring new life to clothing that promotes uniqueness.

http://rosita-bonita.myshopify.com/

Closed at the mo - open soon, Inspiration comes from glamorous fantasies of past times & faraway lands, & encompasses icons of folklore, myth & legend. With these influences, and a pervading sense of dreamy fun, Rosita Bonita creates tactile printed leather statement jewellery, which is at once nostalgic & novel.

http://jeeperspeepers.co.uk/
Sunnies with a blend high quality fabrication with new and vintage inspired design.

WOMENS

http://kucoondesigns.com/
Anti-trend, caters towards the stylish, adventurous, playful, yet practical woman.

http://www.ohmyhoney.co.uk/
Glamorous, feminine and chic, the nipped in waists and full skirts make any women look fantastic.

http://www.dazzleandjolt.com/
Makes colourful, playful apparel for those not afraid to stand out! Designs feature all over prints with a graphic twist and a kaleidoscope of exotic animals, tropical fruits, geometrics and cosmic wonders.

http://www.rosabloom.com/
Eye-catching and wearable, crossing the borderline between costume and ready-to-wear. Now most well-known for her sequinned pieces, such as leggings and leotards adorned with her trademark over-sized scale-like sequins.

http://www.katiejonesknit.co.uk/
Unique and fabulous knitwear.

http://www.janebowler.co.uk/
Unique tactile surfaces and constructed textiles which naturally evolve into what Bowler refers to as ‘wearable art’.

https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/LOMstore?ref=condensed_trust_header_title_items
Colourful Luxury Festival and Party Fashion.

MENS

https://www.opposuits.co.uk/
If you want to look all business at a festival, these suits are the right way to go about getting into the swarve festival spirit.

Festival Essentials, what to pack!

Whether you are a last minute packer or have planned each outfit for the past month, at some point you will have to pack for your long weekend of festival fun. 

So with a summer of music festivals starting just around the corner, I thought it best to start off with a packing list of what to take with you. From what I would class the essentials, to if you want to go all out and pack the kitchen sink (not literally though). This list has everything you will need!

Essentials

1. A tent,  so guy ropes, poles, pegs and ground sheets
2. Sleeping bag / duvet / pillow
3. Sleeping mat / Air bed
4. Wellies / Sturdy boots
5. Waterproof coat / overalls
6. Towel
7. Festival Ticket
8. Money / Cards
9. Enough change of clothes, incase you get wet / clean clothes to go home in:
• Shorts
• Jeans
• Dresses
• Trousers
• Skirt
• Tops
• Underwear
• Skirts
• Socks
• Jumpers
• Bras
• Tights
• Leggings
10. Phone
11. Head Torch / Torch
12. I.D / Driving licence
13. Camera
14. Lightweight / plastic bags, for dirty clothes or shoes
15. Toiletries, so you can at least pretend to be clean after not showering all weekend:
• Shampoo / Conditioner
• Toothbrush / Toothpaste
• Wet wipes (Biodegradable)
• Sun cream
• Contraceptives
• Medication, (Inhalers / Prescriptions / Meds info on allergies)
• Hand sanitiser
• Toilet roll
• Glasses / Contacts and solution
• Tampons / Sanitary towels
• Hair brush
• Dry shampoo
16. Rucksack, so you can carry all this stuff!

Not so Essential

1. Ear plugs / Cotton wool buds, for when you have a loud snorer in the tent next to you.
2. After sun, incase you are silly enough to not put sun cream on and get burnt
3. Sun Glasses
4. Chargers, however most festivals have somewhere where you can charge your phone or camera
5. Stuff to do when there is nothing on you want to see:
• Frisbee
• Ball
• Book / Magazine
• Hula Hoop
• Playing Cards
• Pen and paper 
6. Reusable water bottle
7. Hats / Gloves / Scarfs
8. Spare batteries
9. Camping chairs
10. Tent decorations, To make your tent easier to find and stand out from the crowd
• Fairy lights
• Bunting
• Hammock
• Flag, you can also use this when standing in a big crowd so people know where you are
11. Mini speakers, so the party can continue in your tent
12. iPod
13. Mallet, to help get those pegs in
14. Extra Blankets, it can get very cold 
15. Lantern
16. Cooking tools, it's best to figure out what meals you are cooking, then bring the relevant utensils to make that dish. Most festivals have food stands where you can get some amazing food from all around the world, however sometimes they aren't in the camping areas so on the day before and the day after you may have to make your own food.
17. Febreeze, for when your tent inevitably starts to smell
18. Rubbish / Recycling bags, help the festival by making as little rubbish as possible and recycle!
19. Car inverter, so you can charge things in your car
20. Shade awning, for when that little bit of sun breaks through the clouds.
21. Solar shower
22. Fancy dress outfits and other accessories to make you stand out from the crowd.
23. First aid kit
24. Mosquito repellant / sting relief
25. Locks, to lock bags or tents up

Now each festival is different, so sometimes you will find that things that wouldn't normally be essential items become essentials, best to check the festival website if you are unsure. Most festivals have stalls where you can buy many of the things on both of these lists incase you do forget something, however if you use these lists properly you shouldn't have to worry. If you think I have forgotten something or you have used this list to help you pack or create your own detailed packing list, let me know!