Festival Fashion - Your Complete Guide To Practical Chic!

As Glastonbury celebrates their 41st year - the spring/summer festival season is almost upon us. Moving into May, June, July and August we can look forward to gatherings such as Glastonbury, T in the Park, Wireless, Bestival, Latitude, Isle of White, Lovebox, Sonisphere, V, Leeds, Reading and Creamfields. If you're lucky enough to have tickets to a festival this year, you're almost certainly thinking about shopping and packing already. My Vintage brings you this one stop guide bursting with our expert advice on this years key trends and great tips for perfect festival fashion!

We're hoping that you've already sorted the boring things like a tent, sleeping bag, pocket knife, painkillers, toilet roll, toothbrush and sunscreen, so what do you need to glam yourself up and stand out from the crowd?

The first thing you need has got to be a backpack - a large army surplus type pack is ideal for travelling to and from the event but each day you're there you need to carry your essential supplies (water, baby wipes, lip gloss and camera!) Pretty designer handbags just aren't great in fields, so shop around for a vintage rucksack orduffel bag or go retro with a bright coloured or printed pack.

Whatever your height, shape or size, you cannot set off for any festival this year without a maxi dress. Available in a rainbow of colours, plain or printed, in long sleeved, halter-neck or strapless styles. Go for cotton in the heat, although some of the brighter bolder prints are better on synthetic fabrics.

Headgear is also a must in the sun, go for floppy vintage sun-hats or straw trilbys. Baseball caps and bandannas should be avoided at all costs! And of course you need a pair of sunglasses. Look for bold retrocoloured frames, or of course Wayfarers or Ray Bans. Footwear needs to be comfortable. A pair of funky animal print wellies will see you through when the rain hits but for the rest of the time, take gladiators and pumps but don't be afraid to wear plimsolls with anklesocks for uber cool chic and comfort.

So that's the basic covered, you've got your vintage toggle bag, vintage maxi dress, vintage sunglasses, vintage trilby hat and a pair of wellies! Now lets look at some great trends that will have you on the style-spotted pages of the glossies in no time!

Feathers - whether it's a headband, necklace or hem, feathers in a varietyof colours and lengths are a great summer trend. Look for vintage pieces and high street stores for mix and match splashes.

AquaBlue - a big summer colour, go for accessories, pumps, leggings and eye make up in stunning underwater aqua blue!

Fringing - great on cotton tees, fringe them yourself or buy them ready done! Fringing is also great on boots, bags and jackets. Think cowboys and indians!

Playsuits - the playsuit just keep coming back. Pastel florals are ideal, solook for vintage playsuits for more retro prints and better cuts. Strappy or short sleeved is best and buttons are better than zips in most cases.

Sequins - just because you're slumming it doesn't mean you can't dazzle! Look for sequin covered seperates like boob tubes, miniskirts, skinny scarves or waistcoats and layer up with utility wear for real grunge chic.

Hareem Trousers - great in nude shades, cuffed at the ankle with fitted waist and baggy legs, these eastern inspired trousers are amust have. Team with vest top and trusty gladiators for comfort and effortless style.

Floral Scarf - it's got to be floral, it's got to be beautiful, it's got to be a vintage scarf. Look for pure silk if your purse can cope. If not, a faux silk or polyester will do the trick! Team pastels with denim and charcoal greys for a chic vintage summer image.

Animalprint - whether it's a pair of Fearne's Converse or a tightbody stocking, a little bit of jungle print should definitely bemaking an appearance in your festival wardrobe. But don't over do it or you'll wind up looking tacky.

So there we have it, be prepared and do your research. Don't be afraid to mix high street, handmade, designer and vintage - create the perfect eclectic collection for your summer of love!