WHEN Kate Moss turned up at Glastonbury in 2003 sporting a belted mini dress and boots, she somehow managed to redefine casual glamour. Here she was, in the midst of the mud and the rain, living in a tent (but not as we know it, obviously) yet she still somehow managed to look drop-dead, rav- ishingly gorgeous.
Since that fateful day, festival fashion has become a masterclass, attempted by many, mastered by few. Sienna aced it, of course, in those vintage yellow aviator shades and her long mussed-up locks. And Queen Kate raised the bar even further this Summer with her hot-pants-and-wellies combo.
But what about us mere mortals? At the up- coming O2 in the Park and Electric Picnic festivals, which promise to be melting pots of glamour and style, how can we expect to score high fashion grades?
Unfortunately, our reliably inconsistent cli- mate makes it quite a challenge. We have to consider every kind of weather condition, from sweaty, sunburnt days to cold nights tucked up in a flimsy two-man tent. But rest assured, successful style can remain a possi- bility, despite such hurdles: just keep in mind the two golden rules.
One, be realistic. There will be inches of mud and you will not — NOT — be able to wear those new three-inch stilettos OR those white skinny jeans, so don’t even try. Swop the dryclean-only ensemble for something a little more washing machine-friendly. Ex- pect nothing but rain and mud and dirt, and truckloads of inebriation. Remember, we’re talking Laois, not the Ritz.
Two, festival chic is all about low mainte- nance. This is not the time to get your fake fingernails applied and painted, and don’t ex- pect to achieve perfect makeup each morning
— you’ll be lucky if you get to brush your teeth, let alone your hair. No matter how 1m- maculate you are normally, this particular weekend you’re aiming for hippy chic which, by its very nature, is dishevelled but stylish; and at a music festival, the emphasis is on the former.
To achieve a look more Sienna Miller than Grace Kelly, your rucksack will require a few essential items.
1. Keeping in mind that the weather will most likely range from wet and cold to hot and sunny, with some snow and gale-force winds thrown in for good measure, make sure you bring a comfy pair of jeans (prefer- ably distressed), a cute denim mini or shorts and a gypsy skirt. With these three, you’ll have every eventuality covered.
2. Throw in a choice of vests, t-shirts and jumpers so you can layer up or down accord- ingly. Those of you brave enough may even want to pack a few bikini tops…
3. Spice it up with flip-flops (oh, how we hope) or wellies (See paragraph two — re- alistic outlook called for at all times). Long shunned by the fashion elite, wellingtons have recently re-emerged as style classics, and Hunter boots are now almost as sought after as Jimmy Choos.
4. If you want to add a touch of femininity, pack a floaty dress or a kaftan, but team it with the wellies to stay practical and look so cool everyone assumes you’re with the band.
5. Contrary to common belief, greasy hair is really not the way to impress a rock star. Bring along a cowboy hat or bandana to hide limp locks.
6. Accessories are key to festival chic. Hobo bags, chunky bangles and, of course, big, big sunglasses (the latter perform a double func- tion: in addition to looking fabulous, they can be very effective in hiding the dreaded pink- eye the morning after the night before).
7. And finally, the pieces de resistance…the roll-up plastic mac and a mini brollie. Hon- estly, if you only pack two things, let these be it…
Ladies’ Day at the Races may require you to look as groomed and glamorous as a movie star, but at music festivals, everything and anything goes. So get out there, mix it up, and enjoy.