Festival Season Has Arrived: Everything You Need to Know

Festival season is officially upon us, and whether you're a seasoned field veteran or heading to your first event, a little preparation goes a long way. Here's everything you need to know, from what to throw in your bag to what to throw on your body.

What to Pack

The golden rule: pack light, pack smart. You'll thank yourself when you're not dragging a 20kg bag across a muddy campsite at midnight.

The non-negotiables are a waterproof poncho or cagoule (the British weather will not cooperate), a portable phone charger, a reusable water bottle, and a small crossbody or bum bag to keep your essentials close in a crowd. Don't forget cash in small notes, earplugs, and a printed or screenshotted ticket since mobile signal at festivals is notoriously unreliable.

For camping, prioritise a good sleeping bag rated to at least 5°C, a head torch, extra tent pegs, and a padlock for your zip. The most underrated item? A roll of bin bags. They double as mud protection, wet clothes storage, and emergency ground cover.

On the wellbeing front, pack high-SPF suncream, wet wipes (bring more than you think you need), blister plasters, dry shampoo, and basic painkillers. You'll use all of it.

What to Wear

Festival fashion has one rule: wear what makes you feel good, then make it practical. Layers are everything. Mornings can be cold, afternoons can be sweltering, and by 2am you'll want something warm around your shoulders. A lightweight packable jacket is worth its weight in gold.

For footwear, wellies are essential if there's any chance of rain, but bring a second pair of trainers or boots for drier days. Never wear new shoes to a festival. Just don't.

Fabrics matter more than most people realise. Merino wool and technical synthetics stay warm even when wet and dry quickly. Denim, on the other hand, holds moisture, gets heavy, and chafes. Save the jeans for a dry day.

For accessories, festivals are genuinely one of the few places where more is more. Stack your jewellery, wear the bold earrings, and lean into it. A crossbody bag or bum bag will serve you far better than a backpack once you're in a crowd.

Trends Worth Knowing This Season

If you want to look the part, here's what's dominating the fields right now.

Sheer and mesh layering is everywhere, think translucent tops over bralettes and gauzy dresses over slip dresses for an effortlessly ethereal look. Western influences are also huge this year, with cowboy boots, fringe details, and wide-brim hats crossing over from the country world into mainstream festival fashion.

Vintage band tees remain a perennial staple and show no signs of slowing down. The more worn-in and obscure, the better. Pair with high-waisted trousers or a floaty skirt for an easy outfit that looks considered without trying too hard.

Bold colour blocking is having a real moment too, with high-contrast pairings like cobalt and lime or red and orange making for photos that actually stand out. And if you're going all out for an evening look, biodegradable glitter and stick-on gems are firmly on the right side of festival tradition.

One trend worth getting behind for good reason: sustainable and secondhand. Thrifted festival fits are everywhere right now, and genuinely unique preloved pieces will always look better than anything from a fast fashion rail.

One Last Thing

Put your phone away more than you think you need to. The best moments happen when you're not trying to capture them. Pack smart, dress bold, and go have the time of your life.

I would also like to state that I have tried everything to get rid of the buttons bellow, as I have not set up those specific apps yet, but unfortunately nothing has worked. Please ignore, thank you!