Festival style: staying sharp whatever the (wet British) weather
The second May Bank Holiday saw two of the UK’s largest festivals open – and in one case close – its doors: the BBC’s Biggest Weekend drew crowds to four cities representing England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales, while the Hay festival (which runs until this Sunday) once again built its own tented conurbation just down the road from the famed “town of books”.
Both elicited the same sort of excitement in their respective audiences, drawn together by their love of music or manuscripts respectively. But what united them further was the due diligence required when it came to choosing appropriate clothing.
Although both events alluded to it, neither dress code was ever likely to be a walk in the park. Apparel capable of going from high summer to a sudden deluge in minutes is necessary, all the while managing the recent uptick in festival-goer decorum that would have appeared fanciful to those who considered mud-wrestling the only viable offstage attraction just a few years ago.
Vierzonord Neoprene boot, ￡170, Le Chameau
Fortunately, brands have cottoned on to our need to show up - if not suited and booted, then at least savvy about the latter. Hunter has long since elevated the humble wellie, so much so that now the likes of Le Chameau and Aigle have cornered the market in under-the-wire comfort underfoot.
Personally, I prefer the hybrid variant on vulcanised rubber (too hot and hard to walk in, compared to regular footwear) and use a pair of unbreakable Blundstone 500 leather boots in their place. Watertight to the ankle but not as cumbersome as Wellingtons, mine have survived a decade and a half’s festival-going without protest. However, I draw the line at the matching bushman’s hat.
The 500 Stout boot, ￡130, Blundstone
Fortunately in the blustery UK, there’s an outbreak of go-anywhere, all-weather outerwear, including the reanimation of a staple, the K-Way (the go-to cagoule for those not wishing to be seen breaking in a brand-new Barbour), and Carhartt, whose high-vis Nimbus Pullover has the advantage of being water repellent and mesh lined for superior breathability. Alternatively, opt for the streetwise duffel of choice, Stone Island, as worn by Liam Gallagher and his son Gene last weekend ahead of his show in Coventry.
But if the stars do align, and more clement conditions arise, it’s always best to dress up a little more than might generally be expected: shirts (and even suits if the occasion allows for it) in crisp linen and classic needle cord works best, as natural fibres will always find that cool in the warm, warm in the cold setting first.
Portofino linen shirt, ￡125, Luca Faloni
But don’t forget the accessories: at Hay-on-Wye, that required a floaty linen scarf to make good on the unspoken but verifiably strict “no tie” policy, and a hoodie whether upscale (Brunello Cucinelli) or fashion-forward (Off-White, Balenciaga) will catch that moment when the sun settles behind the main stage and the evening begins in earnest wherever you are.
But perhaps the real secret to day-to-night festival dressing is the gilet, lightly quilted, or suitably flamboyant (check out Nehru collared sleeveless jackets, otherwise known as bhandis). But whichever way you go, be assured, gardening clothes or stag-do fancy dress no longer cuts it. Festival-wear now requires,and in this social media age, deserves more.
Bill Prince is the deputy editor of British GQ