5 Festival Aesthetics I’ll Be Wearing This Summer
Welcome to the Gen Z Mood, where I—Who What Wear UK's 27-year-old social media editor—keep you updated with my mood of the month and the most exciting things I’ve spotted on the scroll. I'm always looking for new and thrifty ways to shop trends, and I'm taking you with me.
There’s nothing quite like festival season in the UK. Something about throwing on an overly-optimistic outfit, braving the blisters and watching your favourite artists with a warm beer in hand defrosts my chilly english heart like nothing else.
And, aside from the star-adorned line ups descending on the UKs rugged countryside and the back-to-back hangovers (before you do anything, pack electrolytes), it also brings with it one of my favourite style conundrums: festival dressing. It’s a term flung around a lot, especially as summer starts to roll in. Whether it’s your favourite fashion brand popping up in your inbox telling you these pieces are ‘destined’ for the fields, or a stream of Coachella ‘celebrity-approved’ festival outfits populating your feed from early spring, it’s easy to get overwhelmed from the off.
(Image credit: @anniewclinch)
But if there’s anything years of outfit planning before festivals has taught me, it’s the more you try–the less fun you’ll have! Besides, there’s always bumps in the road (the weather, long queues and glitter will always be there to humble us) so we may as well have a bit of fun along the way. So this year, I’m determined to take a more holistic approach, calculating the trends i’ve spotted on the scroll with some of my favourite all-time references–yes, Kate Moss 2000s Glastonbury wardrobe will be featured here–and items you probably already have in your wardrobe to create moods for each festival aesthetic I’ve seen trending already this summer.
With a little help from my TikTok for you page and a lot of scrolling, keep reading for a thrift-friendly, jam-packed festival edit for every aesthetic.
First, the essentials
Compeed
Compeed Blister Plasters
Berocca
Mixed Flavours Bundle
La Roche Posay
Sun Protection Spray
Loop Earplugs
Loop Earplugs Switch 2
(Image credit: Getty, @susiegarvie, @raye, @devonleecarlson, @oliviadean, @theindiaedit, @sofiamcoelho @Annawinck)
Taking notes from 2024’s brat summer, this easy-to-put-together, sporty meets rave uniform feels perfectly primed for festival season. Think vintage track jackets, simple tank tops and techy bags, oh and probably something fuzzy or shiny to keep you warm until the wee hours too.
OAKLEY
Oo9454 38 Evzero Blades
KEEN
Keen Jasper in Natural
adidas Originals
Adidas Originals Adilenium
Gap
Mid Rise Denim Shorts
Peachy Den
Kylie Denim Blue Skort
Dickies
Dickies Cross Body Bag
Festigal
Hooded Faux Fur Coat
(Image credit: Getty, @Makenna_alyse, @laurasanderson, @dronme @chloekathbutler, @lilamoss, @luenagamaa, @daughterofahoarder, @barbarasantiago, @addisonrae)
Straight out of the 2000s Chloé-girl playbook, we've been following the boho resurgence for some time now but something about this nostalgic, '70s-inspired trend feels right at home with festival season. It might feel a little cliché to turn to layered lace and tasseled suede when planning how to dress for a music festival but right now the offering is simply too good to miss. I'll be channeling Sienna Miller's 00s style, with a pair of good walking boots, floaty skirt and a textured vintage jacket.
With Jéan
Magnol Dress Chocolate
Free People
Gesibelle Set
Timberland
Women's Brown Boots
Vintage
70s Suede Fringe Jacket
Handmade
Crochet Hat With Pearl
Maria Nilsdotter
Rebel Rebel Necklace
Susmie's
Ritmo Berroche Bracelet
Free People
Baby Leigh Tote
(Image credit: Getty, @holliemercedes, @susiegarvie1, @alexachung, @irelandrileyhudson47, @chey_maya, @addisonrae)
Whether you're going for a day festival in the city or travelling down for a weekend at the Glastonbury farm when taking on a festival, glitter is inevitable. So, my advice? Embrace it. If you've always wanted to re-create Kate Moss's iconic gold shimmering dress moment (I've found the exact Topshop piece below!) or want to be the disco bell of the ball, this joy-inducing, sparkly aesthetic is the perfect fit for your summer plans.
New Look
Sequinned Phone Bag
HAND OVER
Leonardo's Skirt
Hunter Boots
Tall Wellington Boot
Lazy Oaf
Red Heart Jacket
Susmie's
Peony Reversible Top
Le Specs
Burgundy Sunglasses
MANGO
Sequinned Shoulder Bag
Birkenstock
Super Birki 2.0
(Image credit: Getty, @makenna_alyse1, @gieos.room, @ciarlinburnhamm2, @daisyedgarjones, @LucyWilliams, @daughterofahoarder, @devonleecarlson, @dronme, @being_ablessin)
I'm a firm believer in, ‘if it ain't broke, don't fix it!' and this is a festival vibe that has seriously stood the test of time. Loved by style favourites Alexa Chung and Daisy Edgar Jones, the wax jacket, pretty dress, welly combo is a British festival mainstay–and not just because of the unpredictable weather. There's something fun about keeping it simple and dressing for your surroundings, frolicking around as you see fit, and keeping your feet dry while you do it! Scroll on for my field-approved picks for summer 2025.
MY MUM MADE IT
Bandanna – White
Damson Madder
Quinn Slouchy Bag
Barbour
X Ganni Waxed Jacket
OshKosh B'gosh
Vintage Osh Kosh Overalls
KEEN
Women's Pyrenees Waterproof Hiking Boot
Damson Madder
Elspeth Nightdress
With Nothing Underneath
The Boxer
Susmie's
Iris Tomato T-Shirt
(Image credit: Getty, @lilamoss, @oliviadean, @emmachamberlain, @dualipa, @alexachung, @devonleecarlson)
Whether your point of reference is Alexa Chung and Alex Turner, Kate Moss and Pete Doherty or Dua Lipa and Callum Turner, rockstar couples tend to have the coolest approach to festival dressing, maybe because they're the headliner, or more likely too hungover to give it that much thought. You can't go wrong with a casual graphic tee paired with denim cut-offs or these simple silhouettes with hardware details.
Ganni
Leather Chelsea Boot
Bella Freud
Scorpio Rising T-Shirt
Depop Vintage
Bob Dylan T-shirt
Depop Vintage
Studded belt
Steve Madden
Beau Boot Leather
Free People
Bella Leopard Coat
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