I’m A Seasoned Glastonbury Goer, Here Are My 15 Festival Essentials

For 200,000 happy campers, early June marks the start of the race to get Glastonbury ready. Heated discussions over coaches, cowboy hats and headliners are circulating on group chats across the country in an effort to map out every eventuality for a few days spent on Worthy Farm. Come rain or shine, there’s a lot of fun to be had – as long as your packing list hits the right balance of functional and fabulous, that is.

Before kicking off the packing process, I decided to delve into my photo albums of Glastonburys past (having attended the festival more than a handful of times, there was plenty to sift though.) I was preparing to cringe at my outdated adolescent outfits, but as I studied the 2011 version of myself in a dark denim jacket and billowing skirt, it dawned on me that what we wore back in the day is, in fact, reminiscent of the pieces proliferating on our social feeds in 2024. It would seem that, just as the Sugababes are making their comeback, so, too, are the Noughties trends we thought we’d seen the last of.

First and foremost, boho is back, so I’m expecting to see plenty of fringed jackets and prairie skirts this year. Sportscore is also still going strong (hello Adidas shorts) as is double denim. And while it’s tempting to fill our rucksacks with floaty dresses and football jerseys, we mustn’t forget the essentials. Take Free People’s collapsible water bottle, or a crossbody phone strap from String Ting that will ensure easy access for spontaneous photo opps. Also, don’t forget a pair of Loop’s ear plugs, which feature three different settings, making them just as essential for sleep as they are for meeting your friends front, left.

Below, find everything you need to keep warm when it’s cold, cool when it’s hot, and feel fabulous when running from Shania to Shangri-La.

Vogue’s Glastonbury wish list:

• The dress: Rixo Neroni Cotton Midi-Dress, £265
• The skirt: Fruity Booty Mother Of Pearl Skirt, £65
• The shorts: Adidas Sprinter Shorts, £40
• The top: Chopova Lowena Grumpy Dragon-Print T-Shirt, £195
• The weather-proof shoes: Vagabond Eyra Tall Boots, £225
• The base camp shoes: Free People Halftime Slides, £44
• The water bottle: Ocean Bottle 500ml Bottle, £35
• The wash bag essential: Suri Sustainable Electric Toothbrush, £75
• The big bag: Patagonia Atom Sling 8L Crossbody Bag, £55
• The small bag: Núnoo Ellie Recycled Cool Silver Bag, £110
• The sleep essential: Dore & Rose Deep Sleep Mask, £40
• The versatile bikini: Marks & Spencer Bikini, £28
• The jacket: 66 North Laugardular Jacket, £229
• The sunglasses: Le Specs Oval-Frame Tortoiseshell Acetate Sunglasses, £55
• The cocktails: Moth Cocktails Variety Pack Of 6, £20

A handy water bottle

Not all bottles are created equal. Take Free People’s Collapsible Carabiner that can stretch to hold 24oz of water, then squish down to a more manageable size. Or, opt for one from Ocean Bottle who fund the collection of 1,000 ocean-bound plastic bottles with each purchase. Tip: I like to make sure I’ve always got a carabiner or two fastened onto my bag so I can hang a bottle on it when the inside is starting to overflow.

Sleep

Some choose to sleep at festivals, others don’t. If, like me, you prefer the former, then pay close attention to the below. The Loop earplugs also double up for daytime if you want to protect your eardrums from the drum and bass. Unless you’re the lucky owner of a blackout tent, don’t even think about forgoing an eye mask.

The loose shorts

With countless styling options, packing a couple of pairs of shorts will make festival dressing a piece of cake. Wear with a bikini top for daytime and throw on a colourful knit for night.

The feel-good dress

Festivals are where summer dresses come into their own. A prairie dress will look right at home on the sunny fields of Worthy Farm, but a glittering naked dress will happily claim the spotlight as nighttime falls. I would recommend avoiding any tight-fitting styles or thick materials, and instead opt for loose linens and silks that give you the freedom to move.

Easy skirts

Whether you embrace a bubble hemline or micro mini, each of these skirts will be a stylish addition to your Glastonbury capsule. Fabric-wise, stay away from denim skirts at all costs, as it will do you no favours in rain or shine. Is there anything worse than drenched denim? No, no there is not.

Feel-good tops

Anything goes when it comes to top attire. Try out a graphic T-shirt from Chopova Lowena, a crochet vest from Marques Almeida, or a sports jersey from Pellador. Paloma Wool is also a great go-to for elevated boho pieces. I like to wear tops made from breathable material so you don’t overheat when getting cosy in the crowds.

Jackets

When it comes to outerwear, it’s best to hope for the best and plan for the worst. A functional windbreaker is easy to scrunch up into your bag or tie around your waist – and can double up as a dry seat post downpour. Granted, an embellished denim jacket is less functional, but it’s guaranteed to spark joy.

Weatherproof shoes

Does anything scream Glastonbury quite like a Hunter wellington boot? However, when the ground is a little drier, a classic Dr Martens lace-up or Salomon trainer will more than suffice. I’ll be opting for a biker boot this year, as I spent an entire Glastonbury weekend in Vagabond’s Kenova boots – they’re just as sturdy now as they were then.

Sunglasses

Sunglasses are a top-priority for a weekend spent outdoors. Take advantage of the “anything goes” spirit of a festival and opt for something outside of your everyday, like a tinted lens or irregular shape.

Base-camp shoes

I’m including these here as a reminder for both myself and for you. I will not spend another year queuing for the showers in leather boots, or nipping to the next tent barefoot… and neither should you. While the waterproof styles are great for bathroom trips, the Birkenstocks can double-up as a daytime shoe.

A roomy tote

If you’re out all day and night, you’ll need something sizeable and sturdy that won’t give away grass stains. Each of these will hold at least a spare layer, a water bottle, and any other essentials that will save you a trip back to the tent. I highly recommend a dark, wipeable material like nylon for when the inevitable spillages happen.

Small bags

Smaller bags are perfect for those who have tactically handed their jumpers and waterproofs to a designated “big bag holder”, or those who plan to have an early evening rendezvous back at base for a swift outfit rejig. Just make sure your bag is either a crossbody or rucksack to ensure a hands-free festival.

Plus, the extras you didn’t know you needed

These unassuming essentials will give you the strength to go on when you feel like you’ve had your fill. My most-used essential last year was the Sola Camping shower bag – it can save you hours in the morning when the bathroom queues start to build up. Yes, it’s cold, but Wim Hof would approve.

Swim

Swimwear can be used in oh, so many ways. Not just for swimming or showering, a sparkly bikini top poking out from under a vest will add instant glitz to a look. Likewise, a plain black two-piece is the perfect base-layer to a sheer dress. Top tip: I usually wear a bikini top under my outfit in case a last-minute sun-bathing opportunity presents itself.

Cocktails

When glass bottles are a no-go and warm beer won’t suffice, a pre-made cocktail will be a welcome luxury. Sip a can when back at base or keep a couple in your bag to save you from struggling through crowds to get to the bar mid-set.