Whether it's a surprisingly roomy bag, cargo pants or a don't-try-too-hard jacket, we've rounded up the festival wear for men and women that's worthy of an encore.
The new rules of concert dressing
You never really know what you're going to get when it comes to festivals. Veterans know to be prepared for anything, come rain or shine. So, planning your clothing choices is as important as planning your lineup for the day. Nothing kills the vibe like wearing flip-flops or white trainers when the ground resembles more of a swamp than a field.
There is a certain freedom that comes with festival dressing, too. Everyone is there for the same reason – to listen to music and have a good time. If you're looking to experiment with something different, festivals are the place to do it.
However, practicality underpins successful festival dressing, with pieces that work for everything and anything the event could throw at you. From easy coords to bags that will fit it all, here is everything you need to know about dressing for your next festival.
The best festival wear for women
A coord that requires little thought
Getting dressed in a tent with no mirror can leave you looking like you got dressed in the dark – because you kind of did. A coord removes that worry, with your outfit effectively chosen for you. This soft blue cotton set from Lone Star Daughters comes with a matching scarf that you could tie in your hair, round your neck or to your bag. You'll look like you put in way more effort than you actually did, and isn't that the whole point at festivals? The Lone Star Daughters Float Away Day-j set is available for £160.
The 'fun' basic
A-line denim shorts are a festival staple, unfussy and comfortable. But a twist on your basics is a great way to add playfulness to your look. These high-waist stripe denim shorts from Sézane don't need much styling: throw on a white T-shirt and you're good to go. The Sézane Le summer shorts cost £100.
Something good for the rain
It's not a British festival without a bit of rain, and as proved by the likes of Kate Moss or Alexa Chung, a pair of Hunter wellies are your best friend in this scenario. The classic knee-high style in black will have you covered without ruining your outfit. The key to making your wellies look more festival than farm is to wear them with something contrasting, like a floral dress or colourful skirt. Hunter original tall wellington boots are available from £98 at John Lewis or £120 at Hunter.
A light layer for the evening
No matter how hot and sunny it may be during the day, there comes a time at all festivals when there's a sudden chill – usually as the final act of the night is playing. So it's sensible to bring a light layer, something that's easily packed away in your bag or tied around your waist when not in use. This seersucker cotton shirt from With Nothing Underneath will also work beyond the festival fields. The With Nothing Underneath The weekend shirt costs £100.
The accessory that does it all
If you're locked in for a long weekend at a festival, packing light(er) is favourable. Small accessories you can wear with anything are a good idea. This necklace is adjustable, so it's essentially a two-in-one. When long, pair it with a block colour A-line dress and when short, with a crew-neck T-shirt. The Free People Kori pendant necklace is priced at £40.
Something mud proof
When you have thousands of people trampling over grass, it gets messy quickly. Keep your trousers away from the mud-soaked ground by choosing something with a tapered and cropped hemline. Seen on the autumn/winter 2026 runways at Dior, Chloé and Zimmermann, a balloon trouser is a practical yet on-trend option. Mint Velvet Balloon trousers are available for £110.
Something multiway
Less is more for festival packing, and this olive green convertible skirt will have you covered for days one and two. In a soft cotton, it transforms into an easy bandeau dress thanks to its elasticated waistband. The Free People Raven Solid Convertible Maxi Skirt costs £118.
No fuss SPF
If you're spending all day outside, topping up your SPF is essential. But if you're wearing makeup, it's hard to keep re-applying all day. This is our beauty expert Sarah Matthews' favourite top-up spray from her recent test of the best face SPF. The Naked Sundays SPF50+ Hydrating Glow Mist setting spray sunscreen 75ml is available from £21.60 at Sephora or £24 at Cult Beauty.
Easy clean accessories
No matter how attached you are to your favourite suede handbag, you'd be at high risk of ruining it at a festival. Made from recycled nylon, this Monty bag is as practical as it is nice to look at. And in a variety of playful colours, it will add oomph to your festival outfit. The Monty Arc recycled nylon bag costs £45.
The best festival wear for men
A small bag that fits a lot
A Mary Poppins bag is a must for festivals. You need something that can fit your phone, portable charger, water and everything else you might need for the day. This much-loved Uniqlo bag also sits comfortably crossbody because of its crescent moon shape. The Uniqlo Round mini shoulder bag is priced at £14.90.
Cargo trousers
If you don't want to carry a bag, but still want somewhere safe to store your necessities, cargo pants are a great option. With multiple pockets for extra storage, this olive grey pair has a looser, laid-back fit. Abercrombie Loose clean cargo pants cost £75.
A Glastonbury favourite, the barn jacket
The humble barn jacket was hard to miss at last year's Glastonbury. It's practical, effortless and water-resistant because of its waxed finish. If you want to look like you belong, but don't want to try too hard, this barn jacket from John Lewis is an easy addition. The John Lewis Spring wax jacket is available for £65.40.
A fun hat
When you're spending the weekend outdoors at a festival, the classic baseball cap is an obvious choice. Shield yourself from the glaring sun while also covering up the bad hair day that inevitably comes along after the third day. This playful duck-motif style is fun. Drake's D Duck cotton twill baseball cap costs £75.
A classic white vest top
A white vest is an easy base layer for those days you're not sure how the weather will turn. Layer it under a shirt for an easy, Marlon Brando-esque look. The Cos Slim ribbed cotton tank top is priced at £17.
Secondhand short-sleeve shirt
There are hundreds of secondhand shirts available on Rokit for a steal. You'll never go wrong with a 100% cotton shirt, use Rokit's material filters to make sure you're choosing the right fabric. A Vintage 90s Tommy Hilfiger short-sleeve shirt is available for £30 at Rokit.
Not too short-short shorts
Short shorts may be on trend, but they're not for everyone. This slightly longer hemline still nods to the look without fully committing. The elasticated waist adds a little extra comfort for those long days on your feet. Adidas Originals firebird shorts are available from £40 at Asos or £40 at Adidas.
Trousers that don't mind a bit of mud
White trousers might look great when you put them on, but a few hours later you'll have gathered so much muck around the hem it will look like a purposeful ombre. Opt for darker trousers, especially if there's rain forecast. This breezy linen pair from M&S fit the bill. M&S Loose fit linen blend trousers cost £35.
Sunglasses that go with everything
Sunglasses trends come and go, but Wayfarers are eternal. Since Ray-Ban first launched them in 1952, they've been embraced by a plethora of fashionable men, from Andy Warhol to Bob Dylan and A$AP Rocky. You can't go wrong with these. Ray-Ban Wayfarer sunglasses are available from £155 at Ray-Ban or £158 at Sunglass Hut.
