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Festival style

14 June 2018

A decade ago, taking kids to a festival was the exception to the rule. Not anymore. 

These days it's all part of the fun and a great excuse for them to express themselves in style, says Charlotte Duck

With many of the big events actively inviting parents to bring along little ones, whisking the family away for a weekend of music, mayhem and, of course, mud, is becoming part of the Great British Summer. Bearing in mind the latter doesn’t always deliver, it goes without saying you need to check the forecast and dress kids appropriately. One of the best things about festivals is, when it comes to clothes, anything goes. It’s a great opportunity to encourage your kids to express themselves with their look. Wellies for boys and girls are obviously essential, and they’ve come a long way from the classic khaki green. They might like a colourful pair (useful to track down too, should they happen to go walkabouts) or some with a bit of character – a unicorn or shark anyone? Festivals originated with the 1960s hippy movement so go ahead and channel this history with a bright, bold floral print, oversized jewellery and oodles of face paint. Alternatively, broderie anglaise is having a real moment – it’s both pretty and an ideal way to stay cool. 

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Kids are happiest when they’re free to move around. If the sun shines, take Glastonbury guru Kate Moss’ lead and dress girls in light, spaghetti-strap dresses that can be thrown on with the minimum of fuss; as the day goes on, they can also be hitched up around the knees should a parental piggyback be required. You can never overdo the sparkle at a festival so add some glittering hair accessories, silver gladiator sandals or a sequin T-shirt for a bit of glitz. Pack a good pair of denim shorts for boys and girls that will survive everything from a mosh pit to a makeshift football pitch, and pair them with a shirt in a colourful print to up the fun factor. It’s tempting to squeeze some trainers into their rucksack but these can make feet overheat so sandals with a Velcro fastening are a better choice. Getting kids to wear sun hats is never easy, so choose one with on-trend pom-poms or a vibrant design and they might be persuaded. Sunglasses for boys and girls, on the other hand, are an easier sell, thanks to the added kudos they bring. Let them pick their own style but be sure they come with a high level of sun protection. Great, now their clothes are sorted, you’ve just got to work out how to pitch the tent.

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