What To Wear To A Festival Without Resorting To A Crochet Kimono And Fringed Bag

Because you don't have to look like Vanessa Hudgens Photographs by Viktor Vauthier

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by Pandora Sykes |
Published on

It's without doubt the most tired genre of dress out there, right now. The noughties saw the emergence of the festival trend (side note: can it be called a trend when the festival culture has become as ubiqutous a part of a British gal's summer as a Red Stripe infused Pimms cup?) and a clichéd wardrobe aesthetic that heavily references Alessandra Ambrosio's cheek-skimming neon cut-offs, Vanessa Hudgens' fringed crochet maxi kimono and Pixie Lott's floral co-ord and matching garland.

No there's nothing wrong with a floral co-ord. But if you do find yourself desperately looking for something new to wear for, say, Glastonbury - then we have some ideas. They're super easy to wear and there isn't a sequin crop top, or a pair of pastel wellies in sight.

The new co-ord

We recently discovered the Dubai-based, Gujarat-influenced label Mochi, which harks back to the days when you wanted those circular mirrors embroidered onto everything. Just us? This jacket and skirt are hardy enough to handle teddy bear rolling down hills, whilst a Calvin Klein bra top keeps the girls in check whilst doing so. End with some Timberlands - a great wellie boot alternative - and a thick pair of socks.

CNV00152
 
 
 

Double Stitched Skirt £189 and Thick Stitched Jacket £240, both Mochi, Calvin Klein Crop Bra, £26

Youth Culture Bomber Jacket, £75 and Textured Skort, £45 both Jovanna at Topshop, Pro Sports Training Bra £17.99 Nike at SportsDirect and Women's 6-Inch Premium Waterproof Boot, £160 Timberland

Revive that old handkerchief top

Remember the days when you fastened your hair perfectly symmetrically with a pair of glittery butterfly clips, straightened your handkerchief top and finished it all off with a slick of lipgloss? Yup, we'd totally been watching too much of the Olsen twins' movies. Those days are back, baby. Except this time it's all got a distinctly grunge feel, with the handkerchief being a Athena poster-style bandana, the trainers being a 90s Mossy favourite, Gazelles and the jeans being ass-swallowing Levi's. But you know what's really going to hit you in the face like a banana gun? The nostalgia that descends upon you whence you start wearing shag bands again. Thank you, Claire's. Just thank you.

 
 
 

Red Bandana, £2.50 Rokit, Stonewash Vintage Levi's, £22 Beyond Retro, LS Mission Shirt, £48 Carharrt, 8 Leather Biker Jacket, £675 BLK DNM at Net-a-Porter, Hunter Sunglasses, £24 Jeepers Peepers, Gazelle OG Shoes, £65 Adidas and Multi Coloured Gummy Bracelet, £4.50 Claire's

Boys Jeans/ Vintage, £88 All Saints, Bandana Print Bandeau Swimsuit, £105 DKNY at ASOS, Biker Jacket, £29.99 H&M and Retro Inspired 90s Oversized Round Sunglasses, £12 Littlebylittle at ASOS Marketplace

**When in doubt, go camo

**

You can and must take some urban into the pastoral. A bomber jacket and a camoflage mini dress is all very Cara-by-way-of-Adwoa; and perfect for Glastonbury. Remember, festivals aren't just a literal walk in the park - they are a battleground. It takes a warrior to survive them. There's nothing like stomping around in some breeze block platform boots and a sliver of ass-scraping camo, offset by a snow-white scrunchie top knot which makes you feel about five. As for the bomber jacket, there is no greater coat at a festival. Think of it as your outerwear equivalent of a tent. It's wipe-clean and padded just like a sleeping bag inside. And unlike most coats - please o please don't try this with your leather biker jacket - you can bung it in the washing machine when you get home. Because no, your friends really won't want to see the map of your weekend, as told by the stains on your jacket. Capisce?

 
 
 

Black Bomber Jacket, £145 BLK DNM at John Anthony, Blue Camouflage Mini Dress, £21 Bill + Mar, Black Ankle Boots, model's own, Logo Rucksack, £200 DKNY and Neon Yellow Round Frames, £8 Claire's Accessories

Libby Army Camouflage Dungaree Dress, £14 SheLikes, Encore Struct Black Bomber, £300 Acne, Platform Boots, £159.20 Jeffrey Campbell at Farfetch and Haruko Backpack, £93 Kipling

Model: Grace Smallat Elite London

Styling: Sophie Ferguson Jones

Words: Pandora Sykes

Art Direction: Anna Jay

Make up: Lucy Joan Pearson

Follow Pandora on Twitter @pinsykes

This article originally appeared on The Debrief.

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