The Festival Fashion Trends You Need To Know Now

festival fashion trends

by Katie Rosseinsky |
Published on

With Coachella in full swing and Glastonbury a matter of weeks away, it's time to start thinking about our festival wardrobes. From the unlikely 'it'-bag to the most stylish way to beat the British weather, these are the trends to buy into now (no flower crowns necessary...)

Off-the-shoulder necklines

Off-the-shoulder dresses at Coachella
Off-the-shoulder dresses at Coachella ©Getty Images

The off-the-shoulder style (and its sartorial cousin, the 'cold shoulder') remains the standout neckline of this season - and it couldn't be more festival appropriate. Try a tiered dress in block colours or ditsy floral print, opt for bold stripes on an off-the-shoulder top or team the neckline with Seventies-style bell sleeves and Aztec-inspired embroidery.

Bomber jackets

festival fashion at Coachella
Festival fashion at Coachella ©Getty Images

Worn to perfection by the likes of Gigi Hadid and Karlie Kloss, the bomber has emerged as the new trophy jacket - making it a no-brainer for early summer fixtures in the festival calendar. A military-inspired khaki style is a guaranteed winner, while the high street offers plenty of embellished numbers in statement prints. Stepping things up a notch, some Coachella festival-goers were even spotted wearing their vintage numbers upside down...

Nineties slip dresses

Chiara Ferragni at Coachella
Chiara Ferragni at Coachella ©Getty Images

Sartorially speaking, almost anything goes when it comes to festival season, meaning it's the perfect time to make a go of spring/summer's underwear-as-outerwear trend. The key piece is the simple slip dress, worn midi or maxi, patterned or plain, lacily embellished or strictly minimal. A truly versatile style, it can be styled to suit every possible sort of British weather - layered over a t-shirt, worn '90s style under a grungy oversized shirt with a choker or (if you're an optimist) accessorised with stacked jewellery.

Mini rucksacks

tiny rucksack
mini rucksack trend ©Getty Images

While last year saw the renaissance of the bum bag (previously the preserve of tweens and security-conscious mums on family holidays), this year we're trading in that 90s style essential for small but perfectly formed versions of another functional classic: the humble backpack, re-imagined in designer prints or pastel shades.

Camo jackets

Camo jackets at Coachella
Camo jackets at Coachella ©Getty Images

Thanks to Saint Laurent's festival-inspired S/S'16 show last year, which saw glittering slip dresses layered under oversized, military-style coats and parkas, the camouflage jacket is as non-negotiable a piece of festival kit as dry shampoo and cut-off shorts. Both on-trend and eminently practical, it's now become a staple piece of our festival wardrobe, keeping us warm as the night goes on. Wear it with distressed denim, use it to add edge to a floral dress or go full Saint Laurent and add a tiara.

Round sunglasses

Alessandra Ambrosio wears round sunglasses at Coachella festival
Alessandra Ambrosio wears round sunglasses at Coachella festival ©Getty Images

Make like Selena Gomez, Kendall Jenner et al by trading in your over-sized or cat's eye frames for a pair of retro round sunglasses. A simple (and, whisper it, budget friendly) way to take your signature festival look into 2017, pair them with a nonchalant centre parting (flower crowns aren't invited to this particular party), and opt for coloured lenses if you're feeling brave...

Slogan T-shirts

gucci slogan tshirt
Gucci slogan tshirt ©Getty Images

For the ultimate in effortless festival style that will still make a major statement on your Instagram feed, choose a slogan T-shirt. If you can't stretch to Gucci or Dior (or, wisely, don't fancy your designer tee being consigned to the muds of Glastonbury) check out cult Scandi brand Ganni's line (their Space Cowboy and Cherry Bomb styles were a street style staple at fashion week) or head to high street favourites like Topshop or H&M.

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