Foolproof festival fashion

Jul 31 2009 Siba Matti

SURVIVING a weekend music festival is something everyone should do before they reach 30, but taking the right clothing is essential to ensure you enjoy the experience.

This month I will be heading to Knebworth for Sonisphere festival, co-headlined by Metallica and Linkin Park, and one thing I won't be forgetting is my Wellington boots.

I have fond memories of Reading Festival 2004 when my sister and I foolishly left our wellies at home, before arriving at the campsite and finding ourselves desperately drowning in mud!

After discovering that a batch was due to be dropped off, we spent most of the first day waiting around, only to get crushed when the wellies eventually turned up and a scrum ensued – not a good way to kick off a festival! Never did we make the same mistake again.

Celebrity festival goers such as Fearne Cotton and Kelly Osbourne always seem to look fabulous during such events - no doubt the result of staying in the VIP area where they can make use of clean toilets, hair dryers and a suitcase stuffed with designer clothing.

But unlike those with a backstage pass, I hit the high street with a budget of just £25 to find a foolproof festival outfit - including those all-important wellies.

Although essential, Wellington boots can often be quite expensive and as I was expecting to spend at least half my cash on a pair, I decided to find that part of the outfit first.

I spotted two styles at Peacocks – zebra and neon leopard print, priced at £12 and £14 respectively, and although this seemed perfectly reasonable, every penny counts when you are on a tight budget, and I decided to seek out a cheaper alternative elsewhere.

Next stop, Matalan, where I found some heart-print and daisy designs, both priced at £10 each. But before committing to a purchase, I couldn't resist rooting around Primark, where I grabbed the only remaining pair of size seven boots, priced at £10 and in my favourite colour – bright pink!

Although a festival is not the place to fade into the background, I didn't want to blind people by wearing full-on colour, so with just £15 left, I set about searching for a more understated outfit to accompany my wellies.

The shops are jam-packed with sale items at the moment and despite having little success in New Look on previous bargain hunting expeditions, I decided to give it another try.

My eye was immediately drawn to a white bandeau top with candy-coloured stripes, which I thought would look perfect with the wellies – but at £11, it would have left me with too little to spend on the pair of denim shorts I also hoped to find.

Denim is always a practical choice for a festival but despite wandering around several stores, I failed to find a pair of shorts that weren't either out of my price range or a little too revealing for my liking.

Luckily, I found a pair of black cotton shorts reduced to £7 in the Hennes sale – and while I was there, I also bagged a black halter neck top for just £3! Both items are perfect for mixing and matching at festivals, so you can minimise the amount you have to lug to and from the campsite. The key is to dress like an onion – lots of layers – so you are prepared for all weather conditions, from blazing hot sunshine to wind and rain.

With this in mind, another festival staple is the hooded jacket. I noticed that Primark had some multi-coloured varieties for just £5 when I bought the wellies, so I went back and netted myself a pink one with the last of my cash.

Mission accomplished! Whichever festival you choose, embrace the experience, enjoy the music, be prepared to get a bit dirty and whatever you do, don't forget your wellies!

LOOSE CHANGE

Try these wallet-friendly accessories to complete your outfit, costing £5 altogether!

Black belt with multi-coloured stud detail, £3 from New Look

Butterfly sunglasses, £2 from Primark