It’s staying light past nine o’clock, it’s warm enough to go out in a t-shirt, and the skies are a glorious mixture of sunshine and showers. It can mean only one thing: the music festival season is upon us! Let’s take a look at what you should be wearing this summer 2023 to make sure you’re looking hip as you enjoy your favourite bands, musicians and live acts. Discover the latest inspo on how to style printed shirts, denim jackets and cargos, keep scrolling for some serious festi vibes.
Contents
- Things You Should Consider When Choosing a Festival Outfit
- How to Choose a Festival Shirt or T-Shirt?
- How to Choose a Festival Jacket?
- How to Choose Festival Shorts and Trousers?
- How to Choose Festival Bags?
Things You Should Consider When Choosing a Festival Outfit
Whether it’s Latitude in July, Creamfields in August, or any other music festival this summer, you’re going to need to dress for the outdoors. That means blazing hot sun, heavy rain, or a cool breeze; and there’s always the chance that you’ll experience all three in one day – or hour.
1. Protective
You’ll need clothes that protect you from the sun, and are loose enough to keep you cool and comfortable. Choose fast-drying fabrics, and you won’t be sorry. Whether you’re sweating in the heat or embracing the rain, clothes that dry quickly will keep you fresher and more comfortable for longer. You’ll be on your feet most of the day so you’ll want to avoid tight collars, seams that catch, zips that pinch, and buttons that rub.
2. Practical
Depending on whether you’re in a field, the countryside, a castle grounds, a city centre or a town centre park, there may be mud, and since you’re likely to be grabbing food and drink on the go, there could be mess. Your festival outfit needs to be durable, washable, practical, and crease-resistant if possible.
3. Stylish
When you choose your festival ensemble, comfort is important, but you’ll also want to look good. When you know you look your best, you feel more confident and are more likely to have the amazing time you deserve. Plus, we’d like to bet there’ll be photos and videos, and you’ll be appearing on at least one person’s social media newsfeed.
How to Choose a Festival Shirt or T-Shirt? Best Festival Tops
- Printed shirts
- Hawaiian shirts
- Animal print shirts
- Tie-dye t-shirts
Nothing says summer like printed shirts. They’re just so cool and versatile! When you’re in a bar or restaurant, naturally you’ll have your shirt buttoned up and looking tidy. But when you’re at a music festival, the rules are entirely different. Leave the buttons undone, show off your bare chest, slip on some shades, and you’ll be good to go. Festival shirts are all about giving off a happy summer vibe.
Choose bold Hawaiian prints, palm trees, leaves, and floral prints, and let the sun shine from within. Select bright blooms and oriental designs and show everyone you’re there to enjoy yourself whatever the weather. After all, music festivals are all about friendship, music and good times.
Want to turn heads? Mix it up a bit with stripes and flowers; you’re certain to stand out from the crowd in such a unique combination. For a bold and striking look, opt for a shirt with a mandala or Aztec print, or be assertive and opt for chevrons.
And, if you want to be right on trend, this year is all about animal print. Go for zebra, lion and leopard print shirts.
If you’re more of a soulful guy, who likes to chill out on those balmy summer nights, tie-dye is perfect for basking in the sunset while enjoying your favourite tunes.
How to Choose a Festival Jacket? Best Festival Jackets
- Lightweight jackets
- Cagoules
- Denim jackets
- Utility vests
The ideal festival jacket will be lightweight so you can tie it around your waist when it’s not needed, or fold it up small and stow it away in your bag. We’re talking about a raincoat, poncho, or cagoule.
Half-zip or zip through cagoules are excellent because they offer some protection against rain and wind, and you can roll them up and put them away when the sun comes out. Choose one that sits over your bum, so if it rains, the water will drip away from your body and onto the ground instead of gathering in a pool around your waist. Don’t forget to team your cagoule with a bucket hat to be festival-ready.
If you prefer a denim jacket, choose palm prints, ombre, or tie-dye to keep the summer theme going. The great thing about denim jackets is that they have pockets for your valuables, and they’re surprisingly warm when you need them to be. Raglan bomber jackets and hooded bomber jackets will also keep you warm into the evening.
Animal print is finding its way into denim jackets by way of snake print denim, leopard print panels, and hoods lined with leopard print fabric. Military buckle vests and utility vests are great because you can wear them over a hoody and they have plenty of pockets to keep all your valuables safe.
How to Choose Festival Shorts and Trousers? Best Festival Bottoms
- Cargo shorts
- Cargo trousers
Cargo shorts are perfect for summer music festivals. They’re just the right length to be respectable any time of day or night, whatever the weather, and are made from cotton to keep you cool, comfortable and fresh. Cargo shorts have enough pockets to keep your phone, keys and money safe while still looking smart and stylish. In fact, they look great with trainers, canvas pumps, espadrilles, sandals, sliders, and even loafers. Plus, you really can’t go wrong, whichever shirt, t-shirt, hoodie or jacket you wear.
The same goes for cargo trousers. These trousers flatter your physique since they are cut to sit close to the leg and ankle. Since their colours are generally quite neutral, whatever you wear with your cargo trousers will be just fine, and they’re practical and versatile enough to see you through the day and night.
How to Choose Festival Bags? Best Festival Bags
- Cross-body bags
- Bumbags
While you might not generally choose to carry a bag, at a festival you are going to need to do so to keep your valuables safe. However, this doesn’t’ mean you have to be burdened with a big clumsy rucksack all day, weighing you down and getting in the way of your fun.
You’ll hardly even know you’re carrying a bag if you opt for the right one. With a cross body bag, you place the bag’s strap over your head onto your shoulder, and the bag hangs on the opposite side of your body somewhere between your hip and your armpit. Your arms are free to clap, wave, hold your food and drink, or anything else. The bag itself sits flat against your torso, and you can forget all about it.
You could also choose a lanyard, which is a wallet on a piece of cord which you wear around your neck. Bumbags can be worn around your waist, or across your chest like a cross body bag. Another alternative is a chest rig bag which is strapped safely in place on the front of your chest, a bit like a flat rucksack but on the front of your body rather than on your back.
When choosing your festival outfit and accessories, you want practical clothes that enable you to enjoy every moment of the experience while looking stylish. Opt for lightweight fabrics that will dry fast, and choose items that you can mix and match. It’s time to embrace your next summer music festival your way. Don’t forget to shop your festival look on site now.
Keep your eyes out for more festival looks over on the boohooMAN Instagram and Twitter!
