Festival Style: 5 Looks to Take You from Reading & Leeds to the Rest of Summer
BY Natasha Bailey ON 26 August, 2026
With Reading & Leeds Festival kicking off this weekend, festival season is heading towards its final weekend of the summer.
Taking place from 27–30 August, this year's line-up brings together Charli XCX, Florence + The Machine, RAYE, Dave, Fontaines D.C. and Chase & Status, alongside a packed schedule of emerging artists and DJs.
But while the music is the reason you're there, what you wear is very much part of the festival experience.
The trick to getting festival style right? Think less about creating an outfit you'll only wear once and more about building a look from pieces that work hard beyond the festival field.
From statement shirts to practical layers, here's our guide to five easy festival looks all built around pieces you can find at Out With Style.
1. The statement shirt
If there's one piece we wouldn't leave at home, it's a great shirt.
An oversized shirt is one of the easiest ways to create a festival look without overthinking it. Wear it open over a simple vest or tee during the day, button it up when the temperature drops or tie it around your waist when you're dancing.
The Hay Life Bailey Mixed Stripe Shirt is perfect for this. Its relaxed shape and mixed stripe give a simple denim-and-tee combination an instant update, while the lightweight feel makes it ideal for layering.
Style it with: denim shorts, a simple vest, sunglasses and boots.
2. The effortless festival uniform
Sometimes the best festival outfit is the simplest one.
Start with a good-quality tee, add relaxed denim and finish with practical footwear and a few accessories. The result feels effortless rather than overly styled and, importantly, gives you plenty of flexibility if the weather changes.
A Snow Peak tee works brilliantly as the foundation, paired with relaxed denim and a lightweight jacket. Add a Hunter Dornie Bucket Hat and you've got an easy look that works from the first set of the day through to the last.
The bucket hat is also one of those rare festival accessories that combines style with practicality, giving you a little protection from the sun while finishing the outfit.
Style it with: relaxed denim, comfortable trainers or boots and a crossbody bag.
3. The weather-ready look
Let's be honest: no British festival outfit is complete without a plan for the weather.
Even if the forecast starts with sunshine, conditions can change quickly and standing in a field in the rain is considerably more enjoyable when you're dressed for it.
The trick is to choose a layer that's light enough to carry when you don't need it, but protective enough to reach for when the weather turns.
The Hunter Unisex Packable Shell Rain Jacket is made for exactly this kind of situation. Lightweight and easy to pack away, it can be thrown into your festival bag during the day and pulled out when the rain arrives. The clean, contemporary shape also works just as well over your festival outfit as it does for everyday adventures after the weekend.
Pair it with an oversized shirt, relaxed denim and practical footwear for a look that's ready for whatever the British summer decides to throw at you.
Style it with: the Hay Life Bailey shirt, relaxed denim, wellies and a crossbody bag.
4. The hands-free festival look
The ultimate festival accessory? A bag that doesn't get in the way.
When you're carrying your phone, cards, keys, sunglasses and a water bottle, a hands-free bag is essential. The challenge is finding one that is practical without looking like you've packed for a hiking expedition.
The Topologie Wares Bottle Sacoche gets the balance right. Designed to carry a water bottle while also giving you space for everyday essentials, it can be worn as a sling and keeps everything you need close at hand. The Wares System also allows you to customise the look with different straps.
It's the kind of piece you'll use at the festival, then keep reaching for long afterwards.
Style it with: an oversized shirt, relaxed trousers or denim and a cap.
Don't forget the festival essentials
The best festival outfits aren't just about what you wear. A few well-chosen accessories can make the difference between surviving the weekend and actually enjoying it.
A Topologie Bottle Sacoche keeps your essentials and water close. A Hunter Dornie Bucket Hat is an easy finishing touch, while the Hunter Mini Compact Umbrella is the ultimate bit of British-weather insurance small enough to keep in your bag but potentially invaluable when the heavens open.
For those planning to camp, consider adding a reusable water bottle too. It's one less thing to think about once you're inside the festival.
Out With Style's existing Festival Edit brings together practical accessories including crossbody bags, bucket hats, water bottles and umbrellas, making it a useful starting point when you're getting ready for the weekend.
Festival style that lasts beyond the weekend
The best festival wardrobe isn't necessarily the one filled with sequins, novelty pieces and outfits you'll never wear again.
It's the collection of great shirts, versatile layers, practical footwear and clever accessories that work just as well at a festival as they do on a summer weekend away, a pub garden or an everyday day out.
So whether you're heading to Reading or Leeds this weekend, our advice is simple: choose pieces you love, layer intelligently and don't forget the wellies.
See you in the fields.
