Get the festival fever
7:09am Saturday 28th June 2008
BE prepared whatever the weather this summer with our stylish festival survival guide.
By Lisa Haynes
TICKET and tent ... check. Set lists sussed ... check. You may have your favourite bands ticked off the list but what about your festival wardrobe?
You can never predict torrential downpours or mud baths but you can ensure you're equipped with cool festival fashion that works in any weather. Make like the music-loving celebs and work out what sort of style groupie you'll be this summer.
Whether you're doing trendy boutique or mainstream giant, we have the ultimate guide to festival chic.
HIPPY CHICKS
MOST LIKELY SPOTTED AT: Glastonbury Festival (June 27-29)
CELEB INSPIRATION: Kate Moss, Sienna Miller, Keira Knightley
The original festival fashion trend-setters, Hippy Chicks make dressing for a music event look effortless. Their relaxed look is all about thrown-together pieces that look ultra-unique, with a carefree vintage feel.
This year's bohemian boho trend is perfect for your festival ensembles. Think flower power prints and free-flowing clothes. Buy a maxi dress that you're not going to be devastated about if it ends up with a mud-soaked, tie-dye effect.
If you haven't got the height for a maxi, go for a floral sundress or smock and wear with a waist-cinching vintage style belt.
Complete the look with a floppy straw hat or print headscarf for instant hippy chic. And for your feet? Stick to flip-flops or Sienna's favourite, pirate boots.
GET THE LOOK: Warehouse, H&M or Next
ROCK REBELS
MOST LIKELY SPOTTED AT: Carling Weekend Reading/Leeds (August 24-26)
CELEB INSPIRATION: Pixie Geldof, Alexa Chung, Agyness Deyn
This bunch of Rock Rebels look like they were practically born wearing a biker jacket. Think mussed-up hair, rock-star shades and lashings of black leather. Band frontman boyfriend on arm optional!
If this is the look for you, prepare to show off your curves. Rock Rebels love their super-tight skinny jeans and clingy tees.
Layer up with a lumberjack shirt and bright hoodie or cagoule. Or if temperatures are soaring keep it short and sexy in denim hotpants as sported by Ms Moss at many a festival.
Toughen up your look with chunky pendants and a studded belt. Converse pumps look fab on Rock Rebel feet - or go the whole hog and step out in some mean looking biker boots.
GET THE LOOK: Topshop, All Saints or Urban Outfitters
GLAM BRIGADE
MOST LIKELY SPOTTED AT: V Festival (August 16-17)
CELEB INSPIRATION: Coleen McLoughlin, Sarah Harding, Dita Von Teese
Who cares if the festival ground is five-inch deep with mud? Nothing is going to stop the Glam Brigade tottering to the festivals in their towering wedges or stiletto heels. Glamour pusses adapt their festival dress code discotheque-style.
Believe it or not, you can still go glam - and practical - by wearing a prom dress teamed with wellingtons a la Lily Allen.
You can also pare down your glamazon get-up by layering your favourite strappy dress with a t-shirt and neck scarf.
There are no limits to your jewellery so if you're feeling like your festival outfit is drab by your usual standards, accessorise, accessorise, accessorise!
GET THE LOOK: Oasis, New Look, or ASOS.com
FIVE FESTIVAL FASHION ESSENTIALS:
1. Coloured mac: Stand out from the crowds in a super-bright mac or print poncho. Your festival buddies should have no problems spotting you.
TRY: FrostFrench waterproof yellow cape, £120 or Peter Storm waterproof spot poncho, £29.99 at Millets.
2. Sunglasses: Go for oversized shades, classic Wayfarer style, or bright-framed zany glasses, like hearts or stars.
TRY: Dolly Dagger heart shaped sunglasses, £12 or Topshop bright swirl sunglasses, £15.
3. Wellingtons: Leave the stiletto heels behind and dodge the mud in a funky pair of print wellies. You'll take rain showers in your stride.
TRY: Next black and white spot wellingtons, £20 or Celia Birtwell blue floral wellingtons, £29.99 at Millets.
4. Hat: Go rock chick with a trilby or boho babe with a floppy hat to instantly transform your festival outfit.
TRY: Accessorize fuchsia basket-weave trilby, £16 (27 Euros) or ASOS black floppy hat, £12.
5. Scarf: Give your festival get-up a nod to the global trend by day. Also doubles up as a keep warm cover-up when the sun goes down.
TRY: Republic Miso Festival scarf, £9.99 or Fat Face Kooki tie dye scarf, £14.50
STOCKISTS
Accessorize - 0870 412 9000/www.accessorize.co.uk
ASOS - www.asos.com
Dolly Dagger - www.dollydagger.co.uk
Fat Face - www.fatface.com
FrostFrench - 020 7354 0053
Millets - 0800 389 5861/www.millets.co.uk.
Republic: www.republic.co.uk
Next: 0845 600 7000/www.next.co.uk
Topshop - www.topshop.com
GET THE LOOK
Heidi Range proves you can do festival glam at the Isle of Wight Festival. The Sugababe looks pretty in pink in a ditsy tiered maxi dress. Get Heidi's ruffle-tastic dress at Warehouse, £60 (www.warehouse.co.uk)
BUY IT NOW
Inject some flower power into your phone with Sony Ericsson's limited edition S500i Flowers handset, available exclusively from The Carphone Warehouse now (www.carphonewarehouse.com)
FASHION NEWS FLASH
GOLD GRADUATION
Look out Stella McCartney, you're not the only Graduate Fashion Week winner to rise through the designer ranks. Keep your eyes peeled for Jessica Au, who scooped the River Island Gold Award at a star-studded GFW final. The prize was presented by model Claudia Schiffer, who said: "Jessica Au (Ravensbourne College of Design & Communication) took a new and fresh approach to menswear in both cut and fabric." Check out the full list of winners at www.gfw.org.uk
FABULOUS FOUR
You've seen the much-hyped film, now get your fashionable paws on the new Sex And The City: The Movie book, £20, published by Headline. Our favourite part? The picture index which details where each character's clothes and accessories are from. It's like you've died and gone to fashion heaven all over again!