Festivals are synonymous with summer, sunshine, great music and cool threads. If you are heading to an outdoor music event this summer, be prepared. Here's our no-nonsense guide to style survival.
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1. Anoraks are where it's at
No matter what the weather forecast is, you'd be barmy to leave home without some rain protection. Carrier bags may not scream 'style guru' but they are very effective in muddy terrain so if you pop a couple in your backpack you'll be glad of them if a storm hits (just wrap them around your trainers for impromptu wellies). Despite years of bad press, anoraks are actually the ultimate in geek chic. Classic vintage (fashion speak for secondhand) American versions are really desirable at the moment - aim to look like a baseball coach rather than a train spotter.
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2. Jean genies
Denim is the don of festival fabrics. It's hard wearing, comfortable and the main style statement for summer 2001. If you get your kicks on an Indie trip, you're likely to go for a pair of superfly flares with tattered hems trailing along the ground. Garage gals go for diamante encrusted hipsters while garage guys tend to be either Evisu freaks or 100% Moschino men. Watch out for Mavi, a US label which is now available in some UK independent boutiques - each pair comes with its own pumice stone so you can control how worn they look.
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3. T-shirts rule
Let's be clear here - we are not talking about sad slogan T's à la Madonna and Tara Palmer-Tomkinson. T-shirts are perfect festie clobber because they're cool, comfortable and can help you be seen by mates. If you want to avoid bumping into someone with the exact same T as you, go vintage. Lots of independent boutiques (see below) have revived vintage T-shirts for 2001. And while Stussy No.4 is a blinding T-shirt, how many times have you seen it on someone?
[ Ark, Upper Balcony, Corn Exchange, Leeds LS1 7BR, tel: 0113 244 4900 ]
[ Burro, 6 Newburgh Street, London W1, tel: 020 7437 1487 ]
[ Dr Jives, 111-113 Candleriggs, Glasgow G1 1NP, tel: 0141 552 5451 ]
[ Geese, 74 Bridge Street, Manchester M3 2RJ, tel: 0161 839 3921 ]
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4. Essential accessory n°1 - mobile
Your mobile phone is your special festival friend. No matter how monged, you're still in with a good chance of finding your friends again if you remember to properly recharge it before you go. When the headline act finally comes on stage, you'll be straight on the phone to a mate that couldn't make it so they can hear all the set from the comfort of home.
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5. Essential accessory n°2 - bag
Phone, keys, water, fresh T-shirt, anorak/jacket, carrier bags, fags, booze, food - all those things you are going to need while you're on site. Rucksacks are a good option, although go for something smallish if you want to avoid looking like an Australian tourist. Shoulder bags can be a bit bulky but velcro fastening backpacks are easy to carry. There will always be purists unstinting in their commitment to carrier bags and if you see anyone carrying anything with a Louis Vuitton logo rest assured it'll probably get ruined or nicked before sunrise.
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