What Clothes To Wear To A Festival

It's summer, so that means festivals. But it also means a good deal of rain, particularly during weekends and bank holidays.

For example, you know it must be Glastonbury weekend if it is sunny all week then decides to rain for the weekend. The same can be said for Reading and Leeds in August. This has even more bad luck because it coincides with a bank holiday, so you can bet all your savings on its being wet and grey.

Rain and tents equals bad news. Add in some thick mud, no real washing facilities and thousands of people and fashion is probably the last thing on your mind. However, it doesn't mean you should forget all sense of style.

So you need to wear clothes that will keep you warm, and as dry as possible, clothes that are comfortable and items that will beat the sunburn if the sun does make an appearance, but at the same time you don't want to look like your parents before they go walking along the South Downs in winter. So what can you wear?

The ultimate festival fashion must-have are wellies. Even the plain green ones your mum has for doing the garden have become cool thanks to the likes of Kate Moss and Sienna Miller. But seeing as mum won't let you pinch hers, buy a dazzlingly bright pair of even some with crocodile- or snake-skin effect and a wedged heel.

The sun may well shine for a few hours and when it does you are highly exposed and temperatures can rise quickly. A pair of rubber wellies is not where your feet want to be. Sandals are a girls' best friend and are splattered across the high street again this summer. Gladiators work best, with straps galore so your shoes won't get lost in that sticky mud.

To funk up an otherwise dowdy rain mac (which girls are unfortunately an essential) add a straw trilby and printed scarf. Not only will these keep you warm and a tad bit drier, if you get a dose of peeling sunburn these will protect your skin from further damage and the rest of the world from seeing your flaky skin.

Work the festival scene with flower power. From skirts to dresses, tops to hoodies, the paisley flower effect will add a welcome touch of femininity to your wellington boots and oversized parka combo.

Not only are shorts the most stylish thing to wear on your legs this summer, but they mean you can retain some level of decency when you decide to crowd surf your way to the main stage.

Josef Kazan has always had a love of fashion, and closely follows the latest trends. They recommend clothes from New Look, who have a great range at affordable prices.