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 Friday! Secret Garden Party

I'm finally back, it's finally Friday, both of which mean it's Festival Friday! This weeks Festival Friday is Secret Garden Party.

Based in Huntingdon, Secret Garden Party first opened it's gates to 1000 punters with one stage back in 2004. It opened as an alternative to the more mainstream music festivals. Now it has grown massively and has over 15 stages, as well as more than 26,000 punters flood through it's gates every year. However it has never lost that alternative or independent feel. 

One of the great things about SGP is the amount of care, time and thought that goes in to the site. Everywhere you look there is cool things to see and do, art work to admire, a hidden stage to find, a lake to swim in, and so much more. Each year there is a new theme, this year it was 'Childish Things', last year its was 'Beyond the Yellow Brick Road', the year before that it was 'Superstition', you get the picture. The themes are always well thought out and the site decorated accordingly. The punters take the themes very seriously as well, dressing up to the 9's and are so imaginative with their costumes. There is a huge variety of music at SGP, I would say pretty much every genre of music is covered. The line up is usually full of up and coming bands and artist, with some classics and big names thrown in. Previous headliners have included Gorillaz,  Blondie, Fat Freddy's Drop and Javis Cocker. 

Secret Garden Party supports lots of charities, but one that stood out for me was C.A.L.M. (Campaign Against Living Miserably). It's aim is to prevent male suicide in the UK, as it is the single biggest cause of death for men aged 20-45 in the UK. Personally I think many people don't realise how bad the situation is and don't fully understand depression and anxiety is not something you can just 'get over'. SGP had The CALMzone tent, where you could sit and chill on big sofas, take a load off and enjoy a good, free cup of tea. The CALM crew were there to chat to about the charity as well as anything and everything else you wanted to talk about. Follow C.A.L.M. on Twitter @theCALMzone, you can also use the hashtag #CALMSGP to find out more about C.A.L.M.'s work at Secret Garden Party.

Now for this year, Thursday 23rd - Sunday 26th July 2015

Headliners: Jungle, The Cat Empire, Caravan Palace

Other artist include: Will and the People, Jack Garratt, Public Broadcasting Service, Lianne La Havas, Kate Tempest, Gentlemen's Dub Club, Natty, Honne, Temples, Roots Manuva, Kawehi, Darwin Deez, Beans on Toast, Rhodes, The Rumble, Ian Siegal, CC Smugglers, The Urban Voodoo Machine, Fleetmac wood, Chainska Brassica, Nizlopi, Rum Buffalo, Joe Driscoll & Sekou Kouyate, Temple Funk Collective, Dizraeli, 

Links

SGP Website

What to Pack

C.A.L.M. Website

Festival Friday! Green Man Festival

Festival Friday is back and this week it's Green Man Festival!

Green Man is a family friendly festival based in the heart of the beautiful Brecon Beacons, in Wales. It's really relaxed and is always a pleasure to come back too. The line up is always fantastic, with a wide range of acts, some of which you have heard of and love, others who you discover and become your new favourites. Green Man is always growing and every year I seem to find something new.
One of the coolest things about Green Man is the Green Man himself. Every year he looks different, and is always magnificent. The past couple of years punters have been able to go inside the Green Man over the course of the weekend and leave messages or wishes. On the evening of the final day of the festival (Sunday), They burn the Green Man and have an amazing firework display. This always brings the whole festival together creating the most incredible atmosphere to watch such a marvellous spectacle.
The 10 different areas at Green man mean that there is always something on or to find or do. The Walled Garden is one of my favourite areas, with a smaller stage and the high wall surrounding several stalls as well as the stage, it creates a really intimate feel.
One thing to mention about Green Man is their Welsh Ale and Ciders which, if you are old enough, I highly recommend. I suggest having a Growler and getting your boogie on. You can't go wrong!
Green Man, now in it's 12th year, is always a highlight of the festival season for me and this year is set to be no different.

This year the dates are: Thursday 20th August - Sunday 23rd August 2015

Headliners: Leftfield, Hot Chip, Super Furry Animals, St Vincent

Other acts include: Villagers, Natalie Prass, Temples, Teleman, Emmy The Great, Dizraeli and the Small Gods, Charles Bradley and his Extraordinaires, Jamie XX, Hooton Tennis Club, The Carraways, Father John Misty, The Staves, The Antlers, Courtney Barnett, Goat, Public Broadcast Service, Aurora, Me and My Friends, The Gypsies of Bohemia

Links:
Green Man Website
What to Pack

Festival Friday! Latitude festival, 2015

Time for another Festival Friday! This week's festival is Latitude Festival. 

Latitude takes pride in having not only amazing music acts but also the best aspects of film, literature, poetry, culture, theatre and everything in between. It's a very pretty festival as well as not being too big, so it's easy to keep track of where you are. From the multi-coloured sheep to dancing in the woods, there is a lot to see and do. I found that I went to see just as many comedians, poets and writers as I did musicians, which was great as every stage had equal big names and people I wanted to see. Last year I saw Craig Charles do a DJ set in the woods, which is where all the late night DJs play. The woods seem like a completely different place during the day, but at night creates the most amazing atmosphere. The Main stage has seating going around the back, not enough for everyone obviously. But it comes in handy in between acts when you want to sit down, or when you have danced too much, or if you are short and actually want to see what's happening on stage.

Here's a little history and information about Latitude. Based at Henham Park, in Southwold, Suffolk, it will be 10 years old this year. It's always been lucky enough to have a good line up, but that is thanks to it being run by Festival Republic. Festival Republic also run Reading and Leeds Festival, Electric Picnic and ran Glastonbury festival for 10 years. Latitude also is a good place to find up and coming acts, especially on the Lake Stage. Speaking of the lake, this year is the first year you can swim in it!

Now for this year, Thursday 16th - Sunday 19th July 2015

Headliners: Alt-J, Portishead, Noel Gallagers High Flying Birds

Other Artists include: Laura Marling, Lianne La Havas, Santigold, Jon Hopkins, The Vaccines, SBTRKT, Catfish and the Bottlemen, La Roux, The Boomtown Rats, Seasick Steve, Manic Street Preachers, Kwabs, SOAK

Links
Latitude Website
What to pack
Festival Republic Website

Latitude Festival 2014