Over the years, festival fashion has slowly but surely evolved into its own sub-genre of fashion. Forget about the bad old days of three-day-old jeans and T-shirts and embrace festival outfit ideas that are straight off the catwalk. Each festival has its own unique atmosphere – why not get fully into the swing of things and dress to reflect that?
Style icons for the festival season include the inimitable Alexa Chung who has perfected her classic festival uniform of denim shorts, peasant dresses and wellies. For men, Jamie Hince nails the rock star look, with battered leather jackets complementing monochrome skinny jeans and striped T-shirts.
This year, festival outfits aren't just about Woodstock-era bohemia. Sports luxe and metallics are just two of the thoroughly modern trends that are sweeping through 2016's festivals.
Coachella
Coachella kicks off the festival season at the end of April, setting trends that are likely to filter down to every outdoor music event for the rest of the summer. From Kendall Jenner and Rihanna to Taylor Swift and Jaden Smith, some of the world’s biggest style icons are in attendance and ready to let their hair down in perfectly pitched festival outfits.
Floaty summer dresses are a must, and For Love and Lemons is a firm festival clothing favourite. Choose from beautifully embroidered pieces in cool monochromes and rich hues. Team with bare legs and essential flat sandals, perfect for dancing the night away in the desert.
Or, take inspiration from Kate Bosworth’s iconic Coachella look and complement a simple dress or shorts with cowboy boots. A fringed bag is another great way to keep up the Western-inspired look. For men, why not try a suede fringed jacket with jeans and a pair of round-frame sunglasses?
Glastonbury
From hot deserts to damp English fields – for the musical mecca that is Glastonbury, it’s always best to be prepared when you're deciding what to wear to a festival. British weather has a horrible habit of raining just to spite those at outdoor summer events and we’ve all seen those photos of poor souls wandering around covered in mud with bin bags on their heads.
Classic brands such as Hunter have capitalised on the often-watery fate of Glastonbury for a while – think Kate Moss in their original tall boots. For an up-to-date off-duty look with unisex appeal, take a long buttoned-up cotton raincoat to keep off the damp.
If you get lucky and the sun shines down on you, break out the silk bomber jackets and off-duty tracksuit bottoms that have taken over catwalks from Stella McCartney to Public School. Sports chic is the new boho this festival season. Both men and women can style their sports luxe ensembles with slicked-back hair for a look that works well with less-than-fresh locks.
Benicàssim
One festival that definitely won’t require a mac is Benicàssim. Located on a Spanish beach, it's pretty much impossible to avoid the heat. So why not embrace it instead when you're deciding on your festival clothing?
Look to Missoni for colourful bikinis or swim shorts and stay refreshed during the scorching daytime hours. When the sun sets, slip into a colourful Chloé dress for a refined look that won't leave you feeling too exposed when the dancing starts.
Male festivalgoers can turn to Dolce & Gabbana or Lanvin for smart turned-up shorts. Keep your festival clothes cool by combining with a psychedelic-print vest and sleek white trainers.
Burning Man
Another hot and heavy festival is Burning Man in the Nevada desert. Known for its remote location and wild antics, Burning Man is the perfect place to road test the most eccentric and alternative festival clothes in your wardrobe.
The whole point of this festival is to dress up as outlandishly as possible – go for bold metallics, huge headpieces and exaggerated shapes that you’d never dare wear anywhere else. And don’t forget to bring a snug Cruella DeVille-inspired fur from Liska for the cold desert nights.
Golden Plains and Magnetic Fields
Golden Plains in Australia offers an altogether more intimate atmosphere. This relatively small festival attracts city types looking to let their hair down and is slightly less style conscious than its larger counterparts.
For down-to-earth and timeless festival fashion, channel Ellie Goulding’s combination of shorts, vest tops and dancing boots. Add a contemporary twist by choosing metallic materials that shimmer as you shake.
Magnetic Fields in India attracts a similarly laid-back crowd. Keep your festival outfit suitably colourful with a liberal scattering of playful pompoms or tassels, as seen on designs by Proenza Schouler.