After the pics from Coachella (LA music festival) appeared across the internet, it was clear that it had single-handedly upped the festival style stakes for the coming summer season. This year will see a return to the hippy dippy boho vibe of woodstock. There will be plenty of fringing, lace crochet, floaty chiffon and temporary tattoos as festival style gets competitive.
Of course, trends come and go, but there are some festival wear staples that will never go out of fashion.
We’ve put together a few essential pieces that will help you pack for the festival season and make sure you can change up your look without needing to bring your entire wardrobe.
Denim shorts
It wouldn’t be a festival without the appearance of frayed edge denim shorts! A staple item that can be worn with virtually anything, it’s definitely one for the backpack. Customise them by adding a few rips.
Graphic slogan tee
An easy item to style with anything, a good festival tee will either have your fave band or artist printed on the front or your favourite slogan. There are plenty of graphic tees on the high street, but if you want to go that bit further, you can customise your own tee.
Wellies & knee length socks
The one essential that everyone has to pack. Wellies will see you through the festival season, especially if you will be frequenting UK festivals which are notorious for wet and mucky conditions. Wear with long socks to protect your feet and avoid nasty blisters.
Waterproof jacket/poncho
There’s nothing like a heavy downpour to leave you feeling wet and miserable. Packaway macs are great for easy access when the heavens open. Waterproof jackets and/or ponchos are an absolute must if you want to avoid getting hypothermia.
Headscarf
Versatile, practical and fashionable, the headscarf is great for covering up bad hair days. Bring a couple of patterned scarves to style up your outfit and create a quirky look.
Stacks of jewellery
If all else fails, pile on the jewellery. A simple outfit can easily be brought to life with a few well chosen pieces. The high street has plenty of jewellery items that are sold in bunches, taking the stress out of sourcing individual pieces.
What will you be packing for the festival season?
Remember when snow and ice used to be a good thing? We’d wake up to a white canvas on the other side of our curtain and jump for joy at the news of a school closure. Not anymore! If you are part of the working world, those days are well and truly gone. With the recent dramatic fall in temperatures, this past few days we’ve been waking up to a winter wonderland outside our back door and wondering how on earth we are going to manage the journey to work. Instead of wishing for it, we’re praying the snow doesn’t come and cursing it when it does. But not to worry- just follow our tips to beat the freeze, and we’ll make sure you get to work safely and on time.
If you are one of many people taking your car to work every day, you will no doubt notice a huge change in traffic when the weather is bad. Even a heavy downpour of rain can turn a 20 minute commute into half an hour. The first piece of valuable advice we can give you is to ensure you have plenty of time. Time is key. If there is a wintry forecast on the cards for the morning, make sure you allow yourself a good extra 20-30 minutes.
Follow these tips to make sure your car remains functional in snow and ice:
If you live close enough to your work to walk in, or even just walk as part of your journey, you will need to make sure you are well prepared for the icy conditions. Here are our top tips for battling the wintry elements on your walking commute:
If you take your bike to work, you are also at risk in the deep freeze although you don’t have to leave your bike at home! Follow these tips to make sure you stay safe while you cycle in the snow.
Hopefully you find these tips helpful when you find the conditions difficult. If you think of anything else useful that we have left out, feel free to drop us a line on social media.
New Year, new you? After the Christmas season of cheer and indulgence, the cold harsh reality of January can be tough when it hits. The best thing to do to brighten the New Year is to set yourself some healthy goals to achieve. Buy yourself a new healthy eating cookery book and aim to cook out of it at least 4 times a week, or set yourself a new fitness regime and stick to it. This week we’re exploring the possibility of a new hiking routine- explore the countryside and get fit all at the same time? Sounds good to us. Here’s what we’re putting in our rucksack:
The first and most important thing on our list is a first aid kit. Hopefully you won’t need it, but you never know when you could get a bad cut or scrape in the undergrowth. You can buy these ready-made from the chemist but if you’re throwing it together yourself, you will need to include anti-sceptic cream and assorted sizes of plasters. Don’t forget extra blister plasters too! We recommend Compeed. They’re awesome.
Now we know this post is all about getting in shape. New year, new you and all that jazz. BUT there is simply nothing worse than finding yourself being peckish on the top of a mountain. Tired. In the rain. With sore feet. While hiking, you will use a lot of energy so you need to keep those energy levels topped up frequently. It doesn’t need to be wildly unhealthy either, you could try something nutritious like celery sticks with peanut butter or a packet of tasty dried fruit. Or if all else fails, a good dose of Lucozade should sort you out.
If you happen upon an unexpected area of marshland, chances are your feet could get wet very quickly. A spare pair of hiking socks will provide much appreciated warmth and dryness to soggy feet that will no doubt be feeling very sorry for themselves.
Smart phones and their new-fangled navigation apps are all well and good- until they run out of battery. Keep a good old fashioned map and a compass with you and you will always be able to work out where to go.
I don’t know about you, but I don’t fancy falling in an ice cold river in the middle of January. But it could easily happen. This is Britain. It is very cold in winter and you never know what the weather will throw at you. Best to be prepared for the worst and a small towel will definitely come in handy, even for sponging the sweat off your forehead when the going gets tough. Remember: no pain, no gain.
It can get particularly chilly the higher up you climb on your hike. Remember to pack an extra fleece just in case you are feeling the chill or if you get caught in an unexpected downpour.
You will need a light waterproof cover up you can pull out and throw on over your clothes quickly when the rain comes on. We would recommend both a jacket and a pair of overtrousers to ensure you stay as dry as possible. Eh, hello Mac in a Sac!
Just in case you are still on the go when darkness falls, you will need a small torch to see where you are stepping. Remember you want to avoid getting that first aid kit out at all costs.
It is very important to keep yourself hydrated on your hike so make sure you include a good full water bottle in your rucksack. You can buy all kinds of fancy ones in an outdoor shop to keep your water cool and make sure it doesn’t leak.
More of an essential if you are hiking over a longer period of time, but a rain cover for your rucksack can be very useful for ensuring your valuables stay dry when the rain comes on. Not ideal if you reach for your spare set of dry clothes only to find they’ve been drenched too!
So there you have it: our top 10 items to carry in your backpack. All that’s left to do is throw it all together and get out there! Good luck with your new training regime!
It’s that time of the year again; the trees are going up, the fires are being lit and the infamous race to gather Christmas presents before the big day has commenced. But not to worry, we’ve got some great ideas to help you choose the perfect presents for your loved ones.
This diamond quilted country style coat is perfect for the Boxing Day shoot. Warm and cosy with authentic brass buttons and stylish corduroy trim, the Windsor is fully lined with a soft burgundy taffeta that helps keep the chilly drafts out. Available in two colours; Bracken and Navy, the Windsor is the perfect gift for anyone who loves spending time in the great outdoors.
Our Mac in a Sac Strata is perfect for anyone who loves cycling, hiking or just generally enjoying the outdoors. It has a thermal lining to keep the winter chill at bay and conveniently folds away into a compact little package in its own pocket- perfect for filling the stocking! It's 100% waterproof and breathable too so it is guaranteed to come in handy in the wet British weather.
Old faithful. What do you buy for your dad when you’ve no idea what else to get him? Socks. But not just any socks. These socks feature a unique blend of Merino wool and durable polyester, incorporating Cocona® 37.5 natural technology. Activated carbon is derived from coconut shells and blended into the yarn to help the durability of the sock and keep moisture levels low. Add this to the articulated arch, ankle braces and frictionless toe construction and you’ve got yourself one fancy pair of socks! Available in light, mid and heavy weights, you’ll be sure to find the perfect pair to suit him.
Maybe she wants to join you for the Boxing Day shooting, or maybe she just loves getting out in the countryside. Either way, the Ascot provides a stylish choice of gift. A diamond quilted jacket with a pretty rose print lining and matching fabric belt that beautifully accentuates the waist, it's no surprise that the Ascot is one of our best sellers.
That's right. The socks aren't just for him. These make a great stocking filler for the outdoorsy girl who loves a spot of horse riding or a hike in the mountains. Again, the women's socks are available in three weights so there is something to suit every purpose. Read our blog post on choosing the right hiking socks if you are unsure.
Perfect for running around outside in the snow (hopefully) during the Christmas holidays, the Snuggle Suit is insulated with a comfy quilted lining to keep your kids warm and cosy. The suit is entirely waterproof and breathable so should be able to easily accommodate high energy levels! Available in navy blue as well as three colourful prints, it suits the boys just as well as the girls.
Another good stocking filler, the Trapper Hat has a warm fleece lining and a 100% waterproof outer. The perfect accessory for keeping the kids warm and dry while out watching the New Year fireworks. This hat also has two matching coats, the Sofia and the Harry, if you feel like being extra generous (wink, wink)...
When preparing for a hiking trip, socks can be a bit of an afterthought with your choice of fleece, coat and over-trousers taking priority. Truth is, your socks are arguably the most important part of your hiking attire. Choosing the right socks can mean the difference between an enjoyable hike and a miserable, uncomfortable experience- and there’s a lot more to it than you would think. Follow our guide to help you decide which socks are best for you.
Different socks are intended for different purposes. Our own range of socks come in three different weights, each appropriate for a certain type of hiking:
Our Walklite Socks (men’s and women’s) are the lightest of the three weights. They are intended for hiking in warmer weather, or for shorter hikes that won’t put your feet under too much pressure.
Our Hikemid Socks (men’s and women’s) are the perfect all-rounder socks. They will keep your feet warm and well protected from blisters. They are intended for a good intensity level of hiking and will wear well.
Our Trek Comfort Socks (unisex) are a heavy weight sock. They are very durable and are intended for long-distance hiking in cold weather. They are the perfect boot-filler if your boots are slightly on the big side.
If you need any more information, or a little help choosing the right socks for you, we are always on hand to help. Get in touch with us through one of our social media pages and we will be happy to answer your questions.
Find out more about our socks here.
Carolyn Henderson
Author
Digital Marketer for Targetdry by day, Fashion and Lifestyle blogger at foreverscarlet.com by night, with a love for vintage, homewares and the Irish countryside. Follow my posts for fashion trends, style advice and new collection previews.