The Ultimate Guide to Festival Dresses: What to Wear to a Music Festival This Summer
Festival season is one of my favourite times of year.
Not because I suddenly become someone who lives in sequins or glitter (quite the opposite!), but because it's one of the few occasions where getting dressed can feel completely joyful.
After more than ten years working in fashion buying, followed by designing my own collections here in Britain, I've realised something surprising.
The best festival outfit isn't the boldest one.
It isn't the trendiest one.
And it definitely isn't the outfit you bought just for Instagram.
The best festival outfit is the one that lets you completely forget about what you're wearing.
Whether you're spending the weekend at Glastonbury, wandering around Wilderness, enjoying Camp Bestival with the family, dancing at Latitude, heading to Boardmasters or simply spending the day at a local food and music festival, your clothes should help you enjoy every minute, not hold you back.
In this guide, I'll share exactly what I look for in a festival dress, the mistakes I've made over the years, what I'd never wear to a festival and how to choose an outfit you'll still love after 20,000 steps.
In This Guide
- What makes the perfect festival dress
- My biggest festival style mistakes
- What I'd never wear to a festival
- The best dresses for different types of festivals
- What shoes actually work
- Festival packing essentials
- My favourite festival dresses
- Frequently asked questions
What Makes the Perfect Festival Dress?
Music festivals are unlike almost any other occasion.
You'll probably spend ten or twelve hours outdoors.
You'll walk further than you expected.
You'll sit on the grass.
Dance.
Queue for food.
Carry a bag all day.
Possibly get caught in a rain shower.
And hopefully make memories you'll still be talking about next summer.
That's why I always look for four things.
1. Comfort comes before trends
One lesson I've learnt throughout my career is that beautiful clothes aren't always wearable clothes.
When I design, I never judge a dress by how it looks standing still.
I judge it by how it feels after an entire day of real life.
Can I comfortably sit on the grass?
Can I bend down?
Can I walk for hours?
Can I eat a huge lunch without wishing I'd worn something else?
If the answer is no, the design goes back to the drawing board.
2. Breathable fabrics
Summer festivals can be incredibly hot, especially standing in crowds.
Breathable cotton-rich fabrics help air circulate naturally, making them far more comfortable for long days outside than heavy synthetic fabrics.
3. Dresses that move with you
Some dresses look beautiful until you actually start living in them.
The dresses I wear most are the ones that move when I move.
Floaty skirts.
Comfortable armholes.
Relaxed silhouettes.
They're the details you don't notice until you wear them for ten hours straight.
4. Pockets
I genuinely don't think I could design a dress without pockets anymore.
They're useful for your phone, sunglasses, lip balm or simply somewhere to put your hands while you're chatting with friends.
The Biggest Festival Style Mistake I Ever Made
When I was younger, I always felt like I needed a "festival outfit."
Something completely different from what I'd normally wear.
I'd buy clothes I'd never choose for everyday life because they felt more "festival."
Then I'd spend the entire day feeling like I was wearing a costume.
Now I do the opposite.
I wear exactly what I'd wear on holiday.
Comfortable.
Colourful.
Easy.
Just with bigger earrings.
Ironically, I feel far more like myself.
And that's exactly what good style should do.
What I'd Never Wear to a Festival
After plenty of festivals, outdoor events and long summer days, there are a few things I'd personally avoid.
Brand-new shoes
Never.
Even if they're beautiful.
Blisters are not the souvenir you want to bring home.
Anything that needs constant adjusting
If you're pulling straps up every few minutes or worrying about necklines every time you bend over, you'll spend more time thinking about your clothes than enjoying the music.
Clothes that only work standing up
Festival life involves sitting on blankets, grass, benches and picnic tables.
Your outfit needs to be comfortable in all of those situations.
Outfits that don't feel like you
It's easy to feel pressure to dress a certain way for festivals.
But if sequins, cowboy boots and glitter aren't your thing, don't wear them.
The best outfit is always the one that feels authentically you.
The Best Dresses for Different Festivals
Glastonbury
Think practical.
Pack layers.
Wear comfortable trainers or boots if rain is forecast.
Choose dresses that work just as well under a waterproof jacket as they do in the sunshine.
Wilderness Festival
This is where floaty dresses, colourful prints and relaxed bohemian styling feel perfectly at home.
Think effortless rather than overdone.
Camp Bestival
If you're there with children, comfort becomes even more important.
You'll be carrying bags, chasing little legs and probably sitting on the grass more than dancing in front of the stage.
Choose a dress you can genuinely move in.
Food and music festivals
These are perfect for relaxed day dressing.
A colourful cotton dress, comfortable trainers and sunglasses are often all you need.
What Shoes Should You Wear to a Festival?
People often spend hours choosing the perfect dress and five minutes choosing their shoes.
I'd do the opposite.
It's not unusual to walk more than 20,000 steps during a festival day.
Your shoes matter.
For dry weather:
- Comfortable white trainers
- Supportive sandals
- Chunky sandals
If rain is forecast:
- Ankle boots
- Wellies (especially for muddy festivals)
Whatever you choose, make sure you've already worn them.
Festival Packing Essentials
Alongside your outfit, I'd always pack:
- Sunglasses
- SPF
- Reusable water bottle
- Portable phone charger
- Waterproof jacket
- Lightweight knit for the evening
- Crossbody bag
- Hair tie
- Plasters (just in case)
The Dresses I Designed for Days Like These
When I designed Cara & The Sky's first dress collection, I wasn't thinking about one occasion.
I wanted dresses that worked for real life.
Every sample spent months being tested on school runs, holidays, family BBQs, weekends away, long lunches and summer events before it ever became part of the collection.
If I found myself wishing I'd worn something else, I changed the design.
That's why comfort became just as important as colour.
Maisie is my idea of the perfect festival dress.
Made from breathable cotton-rich fabric, she has a floaty silhouette that moves beautifully, practical pockets and enough personality to stand out without ever feeling over the top.
She's the dress I'd wear to Wilderness one weekend and then straight to a summer wedding the next.
Ruby has a playful energy that feels made for summer.
Her oversized statement collar, relaxed babydoll shape and easy fit make her perfect for music festivals, food festivals, picnics and spontaneous weekends away.
She's proof that practical can still be full of personality.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I wear to a music festival?
Choose breathable clothing that's comfortable enough to wear all day. A relaxed dress, comfortable footwear and lightweight layers are ideal for most UK festivals.
Can I wear a maxi dress to a festival?
Absolutely. Maxi dresses are breathable, comfortable and easy to style with trainers, sandals or boots depending on the weather.
What should I wear to a festival if I hate shorts?
A floaty midi or maxi dress is one of the easiest alternatives. They're cool, comfortable and require very little styling.
What should I wear to a festival if it's raining?
Pack a lightweight waterproof jacket and wear boots or wellies if the ground is likely to become muddy. Layers are key for British festivals.
What should women over 40 wear to a festival?
Whatever makes them feel comfortable and confident. There's no age limit on colour, prints or joyful dressing. Choose clothes that feel like you rather than following trends that don't fit your style.
Final Thoughts
The best festival outfit isn't the loudest.
It isn't the most expensive.
And it certainly isn't the one that spends all day worrying about staying perfectly in place.
It's the dress that lets you dance, laugh, explore, eat, sit on the grass, walk for miles and make memories without thinking twice about what you're wearing.
For me, that's always been the goal.
Not designing dresses for one perfect photo.
Designing dresses for real life.
Because those are the pieces you'll reach for every single summer.
About the Author
Cara Granger is the founder and designer behind Cara & The Sky, a British-made fashion brand celebrating colourful knitwear and thoughtfully designed dresses. Before launching the brand, Cara spent more than ten years working in fashion buying for leading retailers, developing expertise in garment fit, fabric selection and product development. Every Cara & The Sky dress is designed in Britain, made in small batches and tested in real life—from family days out and holidays to festivals and weekends away—before joining the collection.
