My top festival fashion tips

Being seen while being comfortable is now the motto for festivalgoers everywhere; and really, anything goes! Here are some tips to make sure you are aware of what’s hot for this summer’s festival-style.

What's hot

Dresses are always popular

You can't really go wrong with a nice summer dress, which can be dressed up or down depending on your mood. Dresses are great for stuffing in your rucksack and you can wear them over jeans, shorts or leggings. You can also dress them up in the evenings, with a light bolero or some funky accessories (no expensive jewellery). A lot of the pretty dresses have nifty pockets too, great for holding your mobile or a piece of fruit to keep up your energy while dancing (beware of banana mashes)

Outrageously patterned wellies

These are also everywhere this year and you can grab yourself a pair at either Penneys or Dunnes Stores for next to nothing. They are great as a fashion accessory, but also for slushing through the unthinkable sludge at the portaloos. For hotter summer weather, flip-flops are cheap and fit neatly in your rucksack, but remember that even in dry weather, it gets really mucky at festivals. Ladies and gents, a pair of Havaianas is ‘the’ flip-flop of choice for Copacabana sunbathers, but also for any backpacker and festival goer worth their salt!

Skinny jeans

These are great for both guys and girls. They are fantastic for tucking into those eye-catching wellies and will put an end to jean hems trailing in the muck and the subsequent rat-tail look (sooo last season).

Long shorts 

A must! These are an important part of your wardrobe for the festival. Combats are also a fantastic durable item of clothing that are sexy in a grungy way. A statement t-shirt is bound to get you noticed, but keep the statement to a non-offensive level. Topman have a dedicated online section to festival fashion for men, so if in doubt, get surfing!

Fashionable and oh so practical…

For protection, fashion and practicality all rolled into one, a hat is a great purchase. Express your individuality with oversized, colourful headgear. It will also cover up the matted beehive of hair the day after sleeping in tents.

Sunglasses are a must for all festival attendees. They protect your eyes from the sun’s harmful rays, while also adding a dash of Bono mysticism and covering up the giveaway black shadows from lack of sleep.

The key to festival fashion is layers. If it’s cold, wear a few different layers and peel them off as you warm up dancing.

Another essential factor to consider when festivaling in Ireland is raingear. A lightweight, foldable rain jacket that can be clipped to your belt is always a good and cheap investment.

A money belt that can be secured invisibly under your clothes is a great item to consider too, keeping your money both safe and dry.

If you are lucky enough to have secured a ticket, enjoy it. Festival preparation is essential; think out your wardrobe beforehand for fashionablity, but also practicality. It IS Ireland after all – consider all weather possibilities. The good news is that a bit of fashion savvy will mean that you can get away with bringing just the key items that you don’t mind getting dirty!