With the gamut of music festival personas available to us today, from new-gen hippies to glam rockers and globe-trotting nomads, finding fashion ideas for Splendour in the Grass is as easy as a one-two drum beat. The moment we click “Add to cart” for our festival tickets, licence is given to launch into outfit prep, i.e. the grown-up version of playing in the dress-up box.
Perhaps it’s the inherent hedonism of a two-day party, the chilled-out coastal surrounds or the collective energy of over 30,000 revellers but something about the Splendour in the Grass Festival makes for style fireworks.
Gone is the sense of understated, urban practicality of everyday life and in its place, frothy, OTT costume-like outfits mostly resembling hippie cowboys from outer space. As the wild weather and blaring sounds descend on Byron Bay, attendees find chic ways to rock classic denim, vintage finds, wellington boots and bikini separates, setting a high bar for style throughout the weekend.
Whether you like Wild West accents, sheer bohemian separates or a glam-rock edge, this is a festival at which to riff on fashion classics and rock out.
Denim
Few fabrics are as popular or practical at festivals than classic denim. There are distressed jeans, jackets heavy in embroidery and embellishment and Woodstock-esque flares that speak to the newest trending trouser shape. It’s almost sacrilegious not to factor in denim when it comes to thinking about what to what to wear to Splendour in the Grass. The men’s range of denim from Dsquared2 offers guys creative options, such as artfully paint-splattered or badge-covered jeans. Gals looking for denim of the flared or embroidered variety should start at Stella McCartney.
Vintage
From beaten-up band tees to cheerful shift dresses, nostalgic sunglasses and sequinned jackets, a piece of vintage clothing paired back with contemporary leather and denim makes a powerful sartorial impact. Look to heritage designers such as Biba for vintage turbans, bell-sleeve dresses and suede go-go boots to add instant retro appeal to your Splendour in the Grass style.
Boho whites
Soft, gauzy whites evoke an Almost Famous, groupie-luxe mood for festival wear. Opt for billowing, blown-out silhouettes in soft, sheer fabrics — applicable to both sexes when considering fashion ideas for Splendour in the Grass. Feminine details such as ruffles, pussy-bow ties and soft gathers take on a flower child innocence when realised in fresh white palettes and can be made masculine with classic skinny leather or denim jeans. Givenchy, Isabel Marant, Chloé and IRO offer collections nailing a look that can be applied to your outfits for Splendour in the Grass festival.
Rock luxe
Inspired by the audacious, dishevelled glamour of rock stars of the 1960s and 70s (think Keith Richards’ long, tasselled scarves, Jimmy Hendrix’s bejewelled vests, Brian Jones’ billowing silk blouses), the rock-luxe look is best worked through mixing unexpectedly feminine styles with masculine touches, and vice versa. For your Splendour in the Grass festival outfit line-up, consider tight leather jackets from Haider Ackermann — and channel Julian Casablancas of The Strokes — or a velvet blazer in homage to Nick Cave.
Sturdy, mud-proof footwear
It is festival lore that no matter the weather forecast, the grounds before the stage end up a muddy mess. For this reason, stiletto sightings are a rare phenomenon amongst the crowd (some still brave a wedge heel, however). For decorum’s sake and veteran Splendour in the Grass style, look to Hunter wellington boots (made famous by Kate Moss), Dr. Martens lace-ups and leather ankle boots — anything you can scrub without much distress.
Directional headpieces
From flower wreaths and racially insensitive decorations (see: the ban on Native American headdresses at Coachella), the crown is one festival headpiece that returns to Splendour year after year. While flower crowns still blossom in the mosh pit, festival-goers are now opting for “halos” or decorative jewellery worn across the top of the head, intricate hair accessories such as embellished headbands, tiaras and sculptural barrettes. For guys sporting splendid facial hair, a few delicate wildflowers tucked into the beard makes for some serious Splendour in the Grass style Instagram fodder.
Fringing
It’s no secret that festival style draws heavily on the 1960s and 70s and there is one trend in particular from that era that is always in full swing: fringing. It opens up a range of items to consider for fashion ideas for Splendour in the Grass.
Whether trimmed along a swishy mini skirt a la Twiggy, climbing up the arms of jackets — for a Jim Morrison attitude, Saint Laurent has versions that have a hint of psychedelia — or shimmying down the lengths of a pair of knee-high boots, fringing adds an instant sense of occasion to your Splendour outfit. Fringe territory is also up for exploration with accessories, such as totes and even capes, from the likes of Agnona for example.
Crochet
The kitsch, folksy craft of crochet is as much of a necessity at music festivals as the roadies. Another 1970s-inspired trend, crochet is made modern for today’s Splendour in the Grass style in swim-ready silhouettes such as one-piece swimwear and bikini tops as well as fitted dresses. Pair with denim cut-offs, a suede satchel and a pair of sandals for starry-eyed flower child chic.
From one season to the next, festivalgoers tend to fall into the trap of slavishly following catwalk trends, so the trick is to mix and match rather than wearing one look from head to toe. After all, the golden rule for making the most of Splendour is to dance to your own rhythm.