Nothing kills the vibe like flip-flops: what to wear to a festival this summer

. UK edition

Joseph Quinn, Alexa Chung and Annie Mac in sunglasses and casual outfits pose against a purple tiled background
Dressed to impress, and for the mess? Joseph Quinn, Alexa Chung and Annie Mac at their festival best. Composite: Jed Cullen/Getty Images, Dave Benett/Getty Images, Samir Hussein/WireImage/Getty Images

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

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

Lone Star Daughters
Float Away Day-j set
none-selected
Lone Star Daughters Float Away Day-j set
Lone Daughteres Float Away Day-j Set
  • Lone Star Daughters £160

Lone Star Daughters Float Away Day-j set

£160 at Lone Star Daughters

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 ‘fun’ basic

Sézane
Le summer shorts
none-selected
Sézane Le summer shorts.
Sezane Le Summer Shorts Cream and Terracotta Stripes
  • Sézane £100

Sézane Le summer shorts

£100 at Sézane

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.

***

Something good for the rain

Hunter
Original tall wellington boot
none-selected
Hunter Original tall wellington boot.
Hunter Women's black original tall wellington boot
  • John Lewis £98
  • Hunter £120

Hunter original tall wellington boot

£98 at John Lewis £120 at Hunter

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.

***

A light layer for the evening

With Nothing Underneath
The weekend shirt
none-selected
The weekend shirt by With Nothing Underneath in pink and berry stripe.
WNU The Weekend £100 100% Seersucker
  • With Nothing Underneath £100

With Nothing Underneath shirt

£100 at With Nothing Underneath

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.

For more, read our guide to the best jackets for every forecast

***

The accessory that does it all

Free People
Kori pendant necklace
none-selected
Free People's Kori pendant necklace.
Free People Kori Pendant Necklace
  • Free People £40

Free People Kori pendant necklace

£40 at Free People

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.

***

Something mud proof

Mint Velvet
Balloon trousers
none-selected
Mint Velvet Balloon trousers in khaki.
Mint Velvet Khaki Balloon Trousers
  • Mint Velvet £110

Mint Velvet balloon trousers

£110 at Mint Velvet

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.

***

Something multiway

Free People
Raven Solid Convertible Maxi Skirt
none-selected
Free People Raven Solid Convertible Maxi Skirt in olive green.
Free People Raven Solid Convertible Maxi Skirt
  • Free People £118

Raven solid convertible maxi skirt

£118 at Free People

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.

***

No fuss SPF

Naked Sundays
SPF50+ Hydrating Glow Mist setting spray sunscreen 75ml
none-selected
Naked Sundays SPF50+ setting spray sunscreen.
Naked Sundays SPF50+ Hydrating Glow Mist Setting Spray Sunscreen 75ml
  • Sephora £21.60
  • Cult Beauty £24

Naked Sundays SPF50+ setting spray sunscreen, 75ml

£21.60 at Sephora £24 at Cult Beauty

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.

For more, read our guide to the best face sunscreens

***

Easy clean accessories

Monty
Arc recycled nylon bag
none-selected
Monty Arc recycled nylon bag in ulra pink and malbec colour.
Monty Arc Recycled Nylon - Ultra Pink & Malbec
  • Monty £45

Monty Arc recycled nylon bag

£45 at Monty

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 best festival wear for men

***

A small bag that fits a lot

Uniqlo
Round mini shoulder bag
none-selected
Uniqlo round mini shoulder bag
Uniqlo Round Mini Shoulder Bag
  • Uniqlo £14.90

Uniqlo round mini shoulder bag

£14.90 at Uniqlo

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.

***

Cargo trousers

Abercrombie
Loose clean cargo pant
none-selected
Abercrombie Loose clean cargo pant in khaki.
Abercrombie & Fitch Loose Clean Cargo Pant
  • Abercrombie £75

Abercrombie loose cargo pants

£75 at Abercrombie

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.

***

A Glastonbury favourite, the barn jacket

John Lewis
Spring wax jacket
none-selected
John Lewis Spring wax jacket in dark blue with brown collar.
jcaket2
  • John Lewis £65.40

John Lewis spring wax jacket

£65.40 at John Lewis

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.

***

A fun hat

Drake’s
D Duck cotton twill baseball cap
none-selected
Drake’s D-duck baseball cap.
Drake's Navy 'D Duck' Cotton Twill Baseball Cap
  • Drake’s £75

Drake’s D Duck baseball cap

£75 at Drake’s

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.

***

A classic white vest top

Cos
Slim ribbed cotton tank top
none-selected
Cos Slim ribbed cotton tank top in white.
Cos SLIM RIBBED COTTON TANK TOP
  • Cos £17

Cotton tank top

£17 at Cos

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.

***

Secondhand short-sleeve shirt

Tommy Hilfiger
Vintage 90s Tommy Hilfiger short sleeve shirt
none-selected
Tommy Hilfiger Vintage 90s Tommy Hilfiger short sleeve shirt.
Vintage 90s Tommy Hilfiger Checked Short Sleeve Shirt - XL from Rokit
  • Rokit £30

Vintage 90s Tommy Hilfiger short-sleeve shirt

£30 at Rokit

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.

***

Not too short-short shorts

Adidas
Originals firebird shorts
none-selected
Adidas Originals firebird shorts in green with white trim.
adidas Originals Firebird shorts in green
  • Asos £40
  • Adidas £40

Adidas Originals firebird shorts

£40 at Asos £40 at Adidas

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.

***

Trousers that don’t mind a bit of mud

M&S
Loose fit linen blend trousers
none-selected
Loose fit linen blend trousers by M&S, in black.
M&S Loose Fit Linen Blend Elasticated Waist Trousers
  • M&S £35

Marks & Spencer loose fit trousers

£35 at M&S

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.

***

Sunglasses that go with everything

Ray-Ban
Wayfarer sunglasses
none-selected
Ray-Ban RB4420
  • Sunglass Hut £158

Ray-Ban Wayfarer sunglasses

From £155 at Ray-Ban £158 at Sunglass Hut

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.

For more, read the best sunglasses with UV protection for men and women and the best summer sandals