From Field Day to Bestival this season's most anticipated festivals are well upon us! And with so many style options and cool accessories available, it can become overwhelming deciding what to wear. Throw in temperamental whether, which can not be predicted by any means of modern wizardry, and we are left with either packing a truck-load of outfits and dragging it all through the fields to that perfect pitching spot at Glastonbury or having to party in, what used to be cute, gladiator sandals knee-deep in mud. To solve some of your festival style dilemmas we have put together a short but sweet Festival Style Guide, featuring 5 tips for achieving those perfect festival looks we have been swooning over while scrolling through our Intagram feeds. All you need to do is show up at that festival looking gorgeous and ready to dance the night away!
1. How to do a cool Double Denim look?
Double denim look is the epitome of street chic with its cool, no-fuss vibes and pure laid-back glory. But don't be fooled, despite looking easily thrown together, a head-to-toe denim outfit requires a lot of planning. The first place to start would be selecting complimentary washes. The trick is to go at least couple of shades darker with one of the pieces (if you only go one shade darker or lighter the mismatching can start looking a little un-intentional and a lot less cool). Try to pick out the darker hues in the wash of your favourite denim piece and find the complimentary new item in that particular hue.
To make the double denim look stand-out, add colourful badges and patches - the embellishment of choice this season spotted on catwalks far and wide and pioneered by one of our favourite accessory brands - Anya Hindmarsh. If you don't have time to hunt for cool vintage patches, there are plenty of high-street stores, like Topshop, selling perfectly patched-up jackets.
To complete the double denim outfit and bring a touch of boho charm, layer gorgeous gold bracelets with cord wraps and vibrant cocktail rings. We think our Neon Multi Wrap Cord Charm Bracelet will add an instant colour pop and character to an double denim outfit.
2. Bored of over-used ditsy florals and looking for a new take on Romantic Boho Look?
We all love gorgeous bohemian style with beautiful sheer dresses, soft cloud-like ruffles and wondrous flower prints. Done well boho meets Cali understated with almost Parisian chic. Done not very well many boho looks start and finish with a ditsy floral dress. This summer, why not try a new take on the oh-so-done boho and bring an edgy twist to this romantic and feminine look. Choose the main piece in a statement vegetal print and try a simple silhouette, like a slip dress with a slightly nipped-in waist. Add masculine ankle boots to toughen up the florals and layer hand chains and stacking rings. Boho is all about the details after all! Our favourite stacking ring this season - Small Rose Quartz Circle Loop Ring - is perfect for keeping things both feminine and bohemian.
If you are looking for a more impactful boho look, go for a Victorian inspired high-neck and accessorise with cowboy boots and statement jewellery like chandelier earrings, cuffs and semi-precious stone rings. Add a wide brim fedora and let the early 20th century exploration spirit take you to the most beautiful festival landscapes.
3. How to layer this season's hottest jewels?
Layering has been the buzzword in jewellery styling for a few seasons and we have all mastered the perfect friendship bracelet stack and keep our favourite midi rings on hand at all times. Spring/Summer 16 has give us a new layering challenge - teaming the new it-jewellery - chokers with the rest of our necklace collection. The key here is to match the colours, textures and style: for example, velvet, being a fairly complex material (think sheen, raised texture of the fabric, different reaction to various light) will look best with dainty chains and smaller pendants, whereas the classic 90s tattoo choker teamed with rough natural stones and chunkier oxidised pieces is going to bring that cool lux grunge look to life. For perfect festival outfit we recommend tassels! Choose an understated cord choker, like this Lime Green Cord Gold Slider Necklace, and layer it with a long gemstone tassel necklace in a matching colour (Labradorite Triangle and Lime Tassel Necklace).
4. What are the main accessories to take to the festival?
Accessories are the heart of your outfit, those gorgeous finishing details that make the look Instagram-worthy. It's like adding a stunning period frame to the canvas, the latter is never complete without the former. So no matter how light you pack for the festival, always remember to take the base accessory wardrobe with you. Start with a practical yet gorgeous carry-all, which will compliment every look you have chosen to wear. This piece needs attention and can even justify investment, just think how attached we all get to that one perfect handbag. Our favourite bag this season is a beautifully embroidered backpack. If it has a tassel and was handmade by artisans of a cute Easy store, even better. Second come cool mirrored frames, the must-have for any summer wardrobe, even if we are talking about the British summer wardrobe. Last but probably most important, for us for sure, are the jewels! There doesn't have to be many, just enough to bring out the colours of your outfit, to add a lovely layered texture and to show how great your attention to detail really is. Jewellery is like the master's signature on the painting, that unique final touch that gives it character and unique identity. The piece we are packing for our festival adventures is this vivacious pair of Coral Agate Reversed Disc Earrings. It matches our favourite summer hue and even the shade of Mac Morange lipstick we recently bought.
5. How to keep the festival outfit practical yet cool?
Yes, it is pretty much guaranteed to rain at Glastonbury, and, yes, that perfect bohemian Coachella style is as dreamy as it is impractical in the middle of a muddy field. This doesn't mean you can't marry the gorgeous beauty of boho with more location-appropriate elements. Wellington boots have become a true classic of home-grown festivals, but you also cannot go wrong with packing a pair of your favourite trainers for a one of those only sunny days, that makes all the difference. Pair those trainers with cute embroidered shorts and a flowing cami top for an English Rose take on festival dressing. Don't forget minimal, yet opulent gold jewellery and you are all set for an stylish time at your festival of choice. We are choosing pieces from our Neutrals Collection to take to Field Day and Glastonbury, like these charming Tiny White Pebble Earrings.
