The Liberty Guide to Festival Dressing
Summertime signals festival season, so here’s what to wear no matter which one you’re heading to.
By: George ElliotRead more
The Liberty Guide to Festival Dressing
Summertime signals festival season, so here’s what to wear no matter which one you’re heading to
By: George Elliot
Months of merrymaking in fields and tents across the UK (and beyond) lie ahead. But what to wear? The best festival outfits tick boxes for both practicality and style, so whether you’re dancing in mud at Reading and Leeds or taking in the sights at Goodwood Revival – each ticket comes with its own set of sartorial requirements. Below, find an editor-curated wardrobe for the best summer festival dressing yet.
Read more: What to Wear Over Dresses in This Indecisive Weather
What to Wear to Reading & Leeds Festival
25 – 27 August 2023
If you’re after a lively weekend of music (Billie Eilish, Imagine Dragons and Lewis Capaldi are all playing this year), get yourself a ticket to either Reading or Leeds Festival. Because you’ll be camping (or perhaps glamping), dancing in close crowds and probably battling some inherently British weather fronts, your best bet is opting for a practical wardrobe, clothes that can be easily layered up in the event of a chill or pared back if the sun warms up. It's also your chance to dive head-first into the revival of 90s fashion, so try Tach Clothing's Loreza Knitted Top, £145 (a cropped knit you’ll love for years) with AGOLDE's Parker Long Shorts, £180.
Read more: 90s or Y2K: Who Wore it Best?
Rachel Jackson
22ct Gold-Plated Rainbow Drop Bon Bon Charm Necklace
What to Wear to BBC Proms
14 July - 9 September 2023
With a schedule of over 80 concerts held (mostly) at London’s iconic Royal Albert Hall, the Proms is famed for its grandeur and opulence. What better excuse to really dress up? And by dressing up, we mean going all-out, with a statement dress like Sleeper's Boheme Midi Dress, £300, a slip that comes trimmed with tonal ostrich feathers. Team it with A.P.C.'s Grace Baguette Chain Shoulder Bag, £600 and Missoma's Interstellar Drop Choker Necklace, £105 for peak glamour.
Read more: Designers at Large: the Oversize Dress Trend
What to Wear to RHS Flower Show Tatton Park
19 – 23 July 2023
A paradise of technicoloured blooms and innovative garden designs, the RHS flower show in Tatton Park is a favourite for the green-fingered among us. If you’re attending, why not lean into the theme, and bring a few florals into your outfit choices? We’d suggest Liberty's Evabelle Tana Lawn™ Cotton Gala Maxi Dress, £350; with 70s’ inspired fluted sleeves and decorated with a vibrant array of flowers, it’s just the thing to pair with a basket bag like Chloé's Marcie Cross-body Basket Bag, £690 and a wide-brimmed sun hat like Maison N.H Paris' Michelle Wide Brim Raffia Hat, £170.
Read more: What to Wear to a Picnic
What to Wear to Edinburgh Festival Fringe
4 – 28 August 2023
Described as “the single greatest celebration of arts and culture on the planet” by its organisers, the Edinburgh Festival Fringe truly fits the cliché of having something for everyone, from comedy acts and cabaret to theatre performances and musicals. But with stages dotted all over Edinburgh, your outfits needs to be comfortable and travel-friendly. Might we suggest FARM Rio's Off-White Tropical Life Shirt, £175 and AGOLDE's Hilla Practice Maxi-Skirt, £260 for comfort that also feels chic?
Read more: The Best Summer Dresses for Easy, Breezy Style
What to Wear to Goodwood Revival
8 – 10 September 2023
It may be the festival for motorcar enthusiasts, but Goodwood Revival draws in a diverse crowd of all kinds of vintage lovers. Capturing the sights and sounds of the 40s, 50s and 60s, ticket holders can expect races between rare and priceless cars, fine dining and famous faces from the world of motorsport. Then there’s the fashion which, as you might imagine, is all about old-school finery. To emulate, look for something that exudes old-school elegance like KITRI's Pia Lilac Stripe Tie Front Dress, £170, accessorised with an art deco Monica Vinader 18ct Gold Plated Vermeil Sterling Silver Necklace, £95 - in your own initial, of course.
Read more: The New Age of Old Hollywood Glamour