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A family-friendly festival is a brilliant way to make the most of the long school holidays and enjoy the amazing weather that we’re lucky enough to be having at the moment. These days, there are so many good ones to choose from, however multi-award winning Camp Bestival is still regarded as one of (if not the) the best. Set in the lush grounds of Lulworth Castle in Dorset, this year’s festivities will take place between Thursday 26th and Sunday 29th July.
The kid-friendly sister festival of Bestival is known for its magical and imaginative themes, and this year is no different. For 2018, the castle grounds will be transformed into a nautical wonderland, as mini revellers (and their parents) are invited to join in the fun for ‘Camp Bestival Sets Sail’.
As costumes are an absolute must, we asked regular Bestival-goer, mum of three boys and founder of family and lifestyle blog Mad About The Boys, Kate Peers, for her top tips for what to wear.
Find out more below…
What to wear to Camp Bestival
What should I wear to Camp Bestival? I have several friends coming to Camp Bestival for the first time this year and with less than a month to go, I am receiving frantic phonecalls about what to wear.
When we first went I was exactly the same and I’m pretty sure that I googled the topic many times but was met with images of girls in their early twenties wearing playsuits and wellies. This was not a look I could have rocked at any point in my life, let alone early forties.
The great news is that anything goes at a festival. Jeans and a t-shirt, tutu and crop top, denim shorts and wellies, go for it. I realised pretty quickly at our first one that festivals are an opportunity to let all of your inhibitions go, to slather your face in glitter each morning, instead of make up, the more sequins the better. Always wanted to wear a feathered cape, now is your chance. No-one will bat an eyelid and more to the point, it’s likely people will compliment you all weekend on your beautiful attire. Topshop, Ebay and Zara all have sequinned tops perfect for a festival.
Each year I have added a few more bits to my festival wardrobe. Last year, my Hunter wellies were a staple in the muddy and a fully waterproof but stylish Musto coat kept my entire body bone dry. In 2016, a sunhat saved me from heatstroke. I have a straw one to pack away for this year’s festival, I have high hopes for sunshine all weekend (always the optimist).
Sequins are an easy addition to your wardrobe and can be worn year round, head to any shop and enter sequins in the search box to see what comes up. The boys each have one of those t-shirts with changeable sequins on the front, sea themed of course. This year the theme for Camp Bestival is Under The Sea and we are prepped and ready.
Each year, the festival choses a different theme. Last year was Superheroes, this proved to be a simple task for the boys who raided the dressing up box for various costumes. Space was the previous year and I bought astronaut costumes for them all. They have used them lots of times since, therefore I could justify the expense.
I try to wait until a month or so before the festival and then see what new clothes the boys need and buy with a theme. This year, we have been spoilt for choice with Under the Sea and we have some gorgeous clothes. I headed to M&S for new pajamas for the kids, they have glow in the dark sea themed summer PJs which is a win win.
The bonnie mob has been a firm favourite of the family since the kids were born. We have some beautiful t-shirts, trousers and jackets in the prints range. The palm trees, teeny waves, and surf bunny prints are not only perfect for the sea theme but the boys are itching to wear them every day at the moment (I try to arrive at the festival clean, with at least one or two new outfits to add to the fun).
Parenting is all about thinking one step ahead, when it works I feel so proud of myself. I carry around a stash of fun in our trolley (you can pre-order the trollies before you arrive or take your own). I head to Flying Tiger every year before the festival to stock up on accessories and a few treats to keep the kids busy in the tent when we are cooking or getting ready. Glow sticks, head torches, comedy glasses, fake moustaches, tubes of glitter and temporary tattoos. These things will cost a fortune on site and your kids will want them all. NB. Tiger are currently selling mini diablos - if you don’t know what these are then take a look. You will be such a hero pulling these out of your bag at a festival and keep them busy working out how to use them while you sip away on your gin in a tin.
Shop the look
Paxton Surf Bunny kids t-shirt | Hakolo palm tree print kids bomber jacket
