Your Early Bird Ticket to 2016 Festival Fashion

As spring comes slowly creeping around the corner, it is officially acceptable to begin thinking about warmer weather. And one thing that comes with warmer weather – festivals. Festival season is huge, so much so that “festival style” now seems to be a genre within itself.

We’re well aware that the last thing most guys want to be doing when they’re enjoying themselves at a festival is worrying about their outfit, but what you wear can be important. Festivals are not only a great way of meeting likeminded people, meaning you’re sure to want to look your best, but with everyone and their grandmother nowadays owning a smartphone, what you wear will no doubt be immortalised in
Facebook albums and Instagram shots for years to come. It is important to get the correct mix of fashion and practicality; the right festival outfit is practical, stylish and appropriate for whatever weather the good old British “summertime” decides to throw at you.

Here at Stuarts London we’ve decided to make it easier for you, by compiling a run down of the top festival trends to look out for this year.

Anoraks
Yep, you heard us right! Anoraks were actually seen all over the men’s catwalks for Spring/Summer 2016. This is great news for British festival goers, as we all know our pesky friend rain also happens to be a big fan of summer festivals. We recommend this Rains anorak – lightweight, waterproof and a hell of a lot more stylish than a makeshift bin-liner poncho, this jacket is ideal for throwing in your festival bag just in case the weather is anything less than perfect.

Shorts
A classic summer favourite – shorts. According to the SS16 men’s runways the fifties are back with a bang. This means a huge surge in tailored shorts, ideal for festival season. More practical than denim if it does rain (there really is nothing worse than uncomfortable wet jeans!), and bang on trend, we love this tailored khaki offering from Diesel.

T-Shirts
A sure staple in any guys wardrobe is the t-shirt. Comfortable, versatile and available in a variety of styles, you really can’t go too far wrong in a trusty t-shirt. For a festival, graphic and printed tees take center stage. Try a band tee (make sure it’s appropriate to whichever festival you’re attending!) for a laid-back vibe, or a graphic print to bring a cool, on-trend edge to your outfit. We think this colourful Levi X Sony printed t-shirt is the perfect choice for a summer festival.

Shirts.
For those wanting to keep it a little smarter, a shirt can be ideal for a stylish festival look. One thing to note if you’re going for a plain or printed shirt is to be sure to keep it short sleeved, as long sleeves can look far too formal. Denim is the exception to the rule here. A long sleeved denim shirt, worn with the sleeves rolled up if it’s warm, is the perfect mix of casual and fashionable for a festival. We love this denim shirt from Nudie Jeans.

Shoes
Festival footwear can be difficult to consider, as it is quite dependant on the weather. The most important thing, as you’ll be mostly on your feet, is comfort and so trainers or boat shoes are ideal. Keep the style simple if you’re wearing a printed tee or bright colours or, if the rest of your outfit is pretty understated, get adventurous with colours and prints. Save your flip-flops for emergency runs from your tent only – don’t wear throughout the day / evening if you want to keep your toes in tact!

Of course, no discussion of festival style would be complete without wellies. For us Brits summertime and wellies go hand in hand, especially at festivals which often take place in fields that only need a tiny bit of rain to become a muddy mess – not ideal for your new white trainers! If you do opt for wellies, keep it classic and stylish with these Hunter boots.

Accessories
And now for the finishing touches! One item vital to a festival is a bag. How about this Barbour wax leather backpack to transport your belongings in style? Featuring a padded compartment for your phone or tablet and ergonomic shoulder straps that promise comfort even when carrying more weight, this backpack is not only stylish but practical too, making you sure to be the envy of all your fellow campers!

With large range of belts, sunglasses, hats and even blankets also available, here at Stuarts London we have everything you could possibly want or need to make a stylish impression this festival season.

Key Festival Dates to Remember:

Download Festival, Donington Park, Derby: 10-12 June 2016
This legendary hard rock and heavy metal festival features headliners Rammstein, Black Sabbath and Iron Maiden.

Glastonbury Festival, Pilton, Somerset: 22-26 June 2016
In a league of it’s own, this renowned festival features huge headliners, multiple stages, food stalls and a laid back hippy vibe.

Wireless Festival, Finsbury Park, London: 8-10 July 2016
One for fans of hip-hop, rap and R&B; relax and enjoy your favourite artists alongside fairground rides, bars and chill out areas.

Camp Bestival, Lulworth Castle, Dorset: 28-31 July
The family friendly younger sister of Bestival. Choose from fun face painting, medieval jousting, or simply sit back and enjoy the music – The Kaiser Chiefs have already been confirmed for this year.

V Festival, Chelmsford / Weston-under-Lizard: 20-21 August 2016.
Lovers of pop need look no further – acts confirmed for V Fest this year include Justin Bieber, Rihanna, Sia and David Guetta,

Bestival, Newport, Isle of Wight: 8-11 September 2016
Previous headliners for this award winning festival include The Chemical Brothers and Underworld. More than just music, Bestival is well known for its mass fancy dress, theatre, comedy and poetry.