Rock those frocks, it’s festival time!
Yay! Festivals are back in abundance this year, occupying great chunks of June, July and August in all parts of the UK. Of course, festivals aren’t new. They’ve been firmly on the music map since the 1960s (think Isle of Wight and Glastonbury, both of which are still going strong – albeit with some gaps). But they do seem to be growing in number and they’ve never lost their appeal.
I remember the days when … ok, I won’t bore you, much! … but I really do remember the days when you turned up at a festival with a flag and a pair of flip flops. There was no real festival chic going on, until the bin bag became de rigueur on the days it rained. (I recall that was some point in the 1970s.)
Living close to Glastonbury, though, I can tell you festival chic is a whole different game in the modern era. Net skirts, fancy wellingtons, cowboy boots, gorgeous long flowing dresses, amazing short shorts, dungarees, slogan tees by the bucket load, denim (of course), sequins, rainbows, fringes, crochet waistcoats, lycra, bum bags, in fact any bags, and hats. Hats are obligatory!
I absolutely love how a battered old hat can become an amazing focal point, with a bit of wild imagination. And I know just the place you can get one. Three guesses, although you probably only need one! And if you happen to be in Cambridge (or thereabouts) on 22 April, 8 May, 13 May, 21 May and 27 May, you’ll be in good time to grab your outfits for any of the following: Glastonbury, of course, Creamfields (Cheshire), Latitude (Suffolk), Cambridge Folk Festival, Green Man (Brecon Beacons), Reading (of course), the Isle of Wight (of course), and plenty, plenty more.
These days, I like a camping chair and a flask of organic coffee at my festivals of choice, but I’ll still be shopping at my favourite TC for my outfits. Actually, I have my eye on a gorgeous pink net tee with a huge butterfly on the front. I really don’t hold with Jethro Tull that you’re (ever) too old to rock and roll. I hope you don’t either.
Sandra Stafford is a writer, editor and long-time Trash Chic customer.
To view TC’s range of preloved clothing, check out the shop where you will find more festival chic items than you can shake a stick at.
