Glastonbury 2024: Dressing down as a cry for relevance more than a fashion statement

Glastonbury. A hub of mud, music, and, historically, some of the most eye-popping fashion statements this side of Woodstock. If you close your eyes and picture "festival-core," you're probably imagining a riot of colour, fringing, and enough crochet to make your grandmother weep with envy. But 2024 has thrown us a curveball.

As the festival weekend came to an end, and I eagerly anticipated the celebrity fashion rollout, my hopes were dashed. Goodbye to the crochet crop tops and cover-ups. Tie dye? Practically extinct. And body glitter? Not a single sparkle in sight. It seems that everything that makes a festival a festival (like the stacking of a necklace with more necklaces) had been rejected, and instead been replaced by boring neutrals.

The age of beige
This year it was like the fashion world hit the snooze button. The Glastonbury fashion was so understated it was practically hiding in plain sight. Beige, black, white, olive and taupe dominated the scene, as if celebrity stylists had a backroom meeting and collectively decided that standing out is so last decade. The bold prints and daring designs of yesteryear have been swapped for loose-fitting jumpsuits, low-effort tank tops, and cargo pants.

At first, I thought it was because Glasto is more rock and roll Bohemia and hasn’t yet reached the glitter and sequins status of its counterpart, Coachella. But that’s not the case since I recall being sorely disappointed by this year’s Coachella fashion as well.

Fashion round-up

Kicking off our fashion round-up is actor Daisy Edgar-Jones who opted for a grey mini dress that could easily double as a sleep shirt. The look is the definition of minimalist chic... or maybe just minimalist. To avoid the chills and any chance of standing out, she layered up with a black jacket. Pockets galore, and who needs colours or prints when you can have all the functionality of a festival security guard? Stylish, yes. But festively uninspired? Absolutely.

But it’s unfair to focus all the negative attention on Daisy’s fit when so many others made similar choices but with poorer execution. Dua Lipa and Callum Turner brought forth a touch of everyday monotony to the scene. Dua, ever the fashion risk-taker, surprisingly opted for a white tank top that screams, “I just found this at the bottom of my drawer,” which she paired with black short shorts and what appears to be a leather jacket around her waist. It seems her recent collaboration with Rihanna’s longtime stylist Jahleel Weaver means that we’ll be seeing more of this grunge look she’s been sporting lately. Callum on the other hand, decided to channel a lazy Sunday rather than a music festival with a simple tee and black trousers.

Another Jahleel client, Rihanna, decided to wrap herself in a gargantuan fur coat that seemed more fitting for a blizzard rather than a night dancing under the stars. The fur is no doubt a statement piece, but the statement may be, “I regret wearing this impractical disaster.”

Glasto fashion wasn’t all bad. Two celebrities who nailed the festival-core look were Florence Pugh and Janelle Monáe, proving that they can rock the boho-chic vibes better than anyone else present. Florence draped herself in a sheer black halter dress and though the colour may not have been the best decision, she befittingly topped off her look with (finally something festive) a flower crown. This nod to the original festival-core fashion was both nostalgic and vibrant, and added a much-needed pop of colour to her outfit.

Janelle’s on-stage look was one that could make a spring garden jealous. Her fully floral look turned heads and likely set off a few hay fever sufferers in the front row. She topped it off with a matching flower crown and held a drink adorned with yet another flower. Love it or hate it, Janelle’s commitment to channeling the 60s fashion that effectively birthed festival-core is admirable.

The evolution of festival-core
Let’s set the scene: the 1960s, the origin of festival-core and a time when peace and love weren't just buzzwords, but a way of life. The original festival fashionistas were hippies. Think bell-bottom jeans, tie-dye shirts, and more flower crowns than heads to wear them. These free spirits wore their hearts on their sleeves—literally—with embroidered peace symbols and psychedelic prints.

This wasn't just fashion; it was a movement. Clothes were loud, proud, and defiant, making the wearer a walking, talking billboard for freedom and anti-establishment vibes. The style was as organic as the substances they were imbibing, and it set the stage for festival fashion for decades to come.

Fast forward to the years 2015 to 2017, when the festival-core style didn't just make a comeback—it exploded back onto the scene. Leading the charge? Actor Vanessa Hudgens. Dubbed the "Queen of Coachella," she was the poster child for boho-chic. Her outfits, body chains, fringed bags, and wide-brimmed hats, had us all frantically searching for the nearest vintage store. The Jenner sisters, not to be outdone, merged it with high fashion. Crochet tops, high-waisted shorts, and layers of statement jewellery were their go-tos. And of course, the face jewels.

From the flower power of the 1960s to the maximalist festival-core revival of 2015, and now to the understated neutrals of 2024, festival fashion has come full circle. While the looks might be less exciting and more practical today, they reflect a shift towards sustainability and comfort. Whether you mourn the loss of the OTT or embrace the beige, one thing's for sure: festival fashion will always be a reflection of its time.

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