Summer is finally almost upon us, bringing with it the beautiful weather that many of us have been pining for throughout the rest of the year.
The UK is home to some of the world’s biggest and most-loved festivals, including Glastonbury, Reading, Download and the Isle of Wight festival. Every year, tens of thousands of people will descend upon these sites to share in the festival experience.
Festival goers need to make fashion choices that balance both form and function. Naturally, festival-goers will want to look their best. But festivals are notorious for throwing everything at attendees in terms of weather. Conditions tend to range from blistering hot sun to torrential rain.
If you need something to see you through the worst weather, then there are softshell jackets here that could work well. These softshell jackets can be used as a sturdy work coat or as a comfortable and reliable body warmer.
Prepare for Cold
The number one fashion mistake made by festival-goers is that they only prepare for bright and sunny weather. But ask any experienced festival-goer and they will tell you that the weather can turn very quickly.
The UK is an island, which means the day can start bright and sunny but can end up getting very wet very fast. A body warmer or softshell jacket is a great way of warming yourself up if the rain does come and the weather turns on you.
Engelbert strauss sells, among other things, softshell jackets. Some of these, such as the high-viz version, are designed solely for work use. However, many of their softshell jackets are just as good as body warmers as they are as work jackets.
If you have a job that involves a lot of strenuous activity in all weather, and you are going to a festival then these are the perfect way of keeping warm and comfortable during the worst of it. It is an ideal purchase that will last beyond your time at the festival.
They also do a variety of shoes and boots that may be looking into for any festivals that may be expecting rain.
Bring a Hat
A hat is another example of where form and function need to come together in order to have something that can not only ensure that the sun is out of your eyes and at least a little shade on your face (ideally), but which also fits in with the rest of your fashion choices.
A hat is more than just a good fashion choice, it is also important for your health. A tan is ok, but a tan can very quickly stray into more dangerous territory. You should be seeking to minimise the amount of your skin that is directly exposed to the sun, whether through clothes or through the application of sunscreen.
You don’t necessarily have to choose a huge hat with a massive brim; a baseball cap can work just as well. You will definitely appreciate not having to shield your eyes from the sun constantly. And if it rains, a baseball cap can keep a good deal of the rain out of your eyes. Combined with a waterproof hood, it makes an impenetrable shield from the rain.
Wear Sunscreen
Even more important than the hat is sunscreen. Many people overlook the importance of sunscreen, largely because the factor system puts people off. Higher factor numbers can be thought of as being ‘stronger’. Different people will require different factors, depending upon a variety of different things. You should experiment until you find the one that works for you.
If you still want to develop your tan, you can do this. After all, you are in control of your own skin. Just be aware that tanning is always going to be something of a health risk; there is no way to tan completely safely. However, even if you are only using a low factor of sunscreen and allowing your skin to tan slightly, you will still be protecting yourself slightly.
Bring the Right Footwear
If you don’t wear the right shoes for the duration of your festival, you will definitely feel it. If you haven’t been to a festival before, then you may well be surprised by just how much walking is involved. You will need to walk between different stages, from your tent to the main festival area and you will be wandering around when the music isn’t on. All of this walking adds up very quickly and will soon take a toll on your feet if you haven’t got the right shoes.
Ideally, you will want something that is comfortable, rugged and waterproof. Doc Martins are the classic choice and should be your first port of call. Not only are their boots very well built, but many also come with a lifetime warranty that guarantees free repairs for life.
Festival fashion requires you to make some careful choices. If you don’t manage to balance the look of your clothes with the need to maintain a certain comfort level, it can end up completely ruining your experience. Follow these tips and you will have no problem looking cool and feeling great.
