If you’re looking to update your festival wardrobe then pay attention to these top thrifting tips on how to get your hands on the most stylish second-hand pieces
No one wants their festival wardrobe to cost more than the tickets themselves (which, if we’re talking about Glastonbury, are expensive). Luckily, these veteran thrifters have a treasure trove of tips on how to re-serve retro looks in style.
It helps that many retro styles are trending right now. From 70s cowboy chic to 90s bohemian, there are endless authentic and inexpensive steals you can find in charity shops and vintage stores. Plus, upcycling clothes is also a brilliant way to cut down on unnecessary waste. So, how do you get started?
‘Second-hand is a treasure trove for festival fashion’
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As an experienced thrift-shopper, Evie McCarthy, 24, from West Sussex reveals she enjoys wearing a mix of second-hand gems and custom pieces she has upcycled herself. Evie says: “My favourite items of clothing in my wardrobe have come from the Glastonbury Oxfam shops.
“I love that you can find timeless pieces, that are so much more unique than anything you would find anywhere else. And the best bit is not feeling guilty about buying them either because they’re second hand and better for the planet.”
Favourite second-hand festival find: “I love my gorgeous crochet top I bought at Glastonbury last year for only £10! Or my vintage Miss Sixty denim jumpsuit that cost me £45 (which is an absolute steal for vintage).”
What I’ll be wearing: “Another outfit I’m planning on wearing is a Levi’s denim shirt I found on Vinted, a linen mini skirt from Depop and a pair of leather biker boots also from Vinted! I feel like as an outfit it’s evidence of how accessible cool and sustainable second-hand fashion has become.”
Top thrifting tip: “I’d say my top tip for thrifting for festivals is to take a chance and get something second-hand that you’d never normally wear otherwise. Big statement pieces are less likely to be well-worn and it’s so important to give them a new home to extend their life cycle. They feel all the more special for being beyond what you’d normally wear and like my jumpsuit they can become a festival tradition for you to return to!”
‘The trick to festival fashion is buying your clothes AT the festival’
A fan of pre-loved clothes, Londoner Stan Munden, 25, will be volunteering with Oxfam at Glastonbury this summer. He says: “Festivals are about being fun and silly, so you want to wear something fun and silly too – which is exactly what the festival shops have.”
Heavily inspired by 70s fashion, he has a penchant for cowboy boots, flares and crop tops. He adds: “When I shop second-hand, I love finding something that I know no-one else has it and knowing it’s completely unique to me. You can get amazing, beautiful, tailored pieces of clothing that cost pennies and make a difference.”
Favourite second-hand festival find: “A cute, sequined waistcoat from Oxfam that cost about £15!”
What I’ll be wearing: “I’ll probably wear some cowboy boots a big pair of beige flares and black fringe waistcoat one night – all second hand of course!”
Top thrifting tip: “Accessorize: Shopping pre-loved accessories is a fab way to jazz up an outfit at festivals on a budget. The Oxfam festival shops often have really cool hats, belts, jewellery or details you might have never thought of that just work perfectly.”
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‘I never wear new to a festival and people always ask me about my outfits’
Megan Brown, 29, from Warwickshire loves embracing festival season as an opportunity to get creative with pre-worn pieces. She says: “Second-hand is the best for festivals because you can find something so fun and quirky that you wouldn’t get elsewhere, that just perfectly suits the festival vibe.”
She adds: “I love styling outfits that are quite hippy or have a more flowy, country style. I always get people asking where my clothes are from. Plus, I feel good knowing when I buy something pre-loved, I’m not harming the planet to look good.”
Favourite second-hand festival find: “My blue tie-dye top only cost me about £3 from one of the Oxfam festival shops and I love it!”
What I’ll be wearing: “So one of the outfits I’m wearing is some Topshop green suede shorts that I bought from the Oxfam clearance shop for like £3 I think, a brand new with tags Topshop asymmetric netted floaty top I bought from Vinted for under £10 and lots of charity shop and Vinted accessories with my cowboy boots I bought from either a vintage shop or charity shop (I can’t remember).”
Top thrifting tip: “I’d always recommend having a good rummage around charity shops and look high and low, and rummage around the baskets, because you never know what you might find! And always ask one of the shop volunteers for their help finding something, or anything fun/quirky they’ve spotted on the shop floor, because they have good eyes for gems!”
Shop for your next festival fashion look with Oxfam or head online here.
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