Festival season is officially here, and although Glastonbury’s fallow year left a gap in the calendar, there are plenty of other events on the horizon.
Anyone who’s been to a festival will know the level of outfit preparation it takes beforehand – often in response to extreme and unpredictable weather that can swing from torrential rain to heat waves and dust storms.
Then there’s the walking: depending on the festival, 30,000 steps a day isn’t unheard of, so practicality tends to come first, especially when it comes to footwear. Lightweight, comfortable shoes are the obvious starting point, with blister Band-Aids on hand as a precaution.
For bags, fanny packs and crossbody styles are popular choices. They’re secure, easy to wear all day, and most come in wipeable fabrics that hold up well after a dusty weekend. A waterproof layer also comes in handy if conditions turn – or a clear disposable poncho, if you’re committed to showing off your festival fit.
After the practical considerations comes the more subjective part: what to actually wear.
Festival dressing has always sat somewhere between practicality and self-expression, blending boho, disco, Western, athletic, and grunge influences. But there’s been a shift in recent years toward pieces that feel less like ‘festival outfits’ and more like things that belong in everyday rotation.
Lale Boz, It Girl and founder of Normal New York and the Not-A-Normal Show – a retail and experiential platform known for its curated designer and vintage marketplaces — sees this shift clearly through the designers and collectors she works with.
“I think festival style is becoming much more elevated and personal,” she says. “Rather than dressing in a costume for the occasion, people are choosing pieces they would genuinely wear beyond the festival itself.”
Buck the trend
She advises looking inwards and away from the influence of wider trends. “The festival looks I remember most are never the most trend-driven. They’re the ones that feel personal, effortless, and reflective of the person wearing them.”
“What excites me most right now is seeing people mix independent designers with vintage finds and heirloom accessories,” she says. This often comes through in how different references are layered together – vintage pieces, independent designers, and heirloom items that don’t necessarily belong to the same category but work together anyway. “The best festival outfits feel collected over time rather than purchased for a single occasion.”
Her own approach reflects that. Rather than building a complete outfit concept, she starts with one piece and lets everything else fall into place around it. “For me, that might be a vintage slip dress, a beautifully tailored jacket, or an incredible pair of vintage boots. Festivals involve long days, so comfort matters just as much as style.”
Choose comfort, as well as style
From there, the priority is ease – pieces that work across the entire day without needing to be reconsidered. “I gravitate toward pieces that feel effortless, photograph beautifully, and transition easily from day into evening,” she says. “A great pair of sunglasses, layered jewelry, and well-worn leather boots are probably the items I would reach for.”
For those looking for a statement piece to build around, Boz recommends seeking out designers with a strong point of view. “Designers like Paris Montes and Call Me Masha create expressive and memorable pieces from deadstock designer fabrics.”
Look to vintage dealers
And for vintage pieces, she points to curated collections from dealers like The Jennie Walker Archive, Lulu’s Vintage Lovelies, and Valhalla Vintage, which offer “the kind of individuality that makes a festival look stand out.”
As for the looks set to dominate the festival circuit this summer, Boz predicts a continued play on contrast. “I’m seeing many soft romantic elements – lace, sheer layers, antique-inspired details – mixed with tougher pieces like leather boots or oversized jackets. There’s also a return to beautiful accessories: statement jewelry, vintage belts, scarves, and bags that make an outfit feel unique without trying too hard.”
Overall, she cites individuality as the defining trend of the season. “People are styling pieces in ways that feel authentic to them rather than following a specific festival formula.”
