FASHION: Summer wouldn't be the same without festivals and for every outdoor event – whether the theme is books, arts, music or maritime – there's an outfit, writes CIARA ELLIOTT
THE ARTSY ONE
Galway Arts Festival, until July 24th
Start the day with a little pootle around the market stalls, then a quick dash out of the rain into a coffee morning reading and book signing, followed by a bit of street theatre, a film premiere and a night on the tiles. It’s hard to pack for all eventualities at a festival like Galway but this kooky little ensemble by Asos is perfect. An oversized square T-shirt worn with culottes, coloured specs and bag (just big enough for a change of clothes later) are a good combo for a raggle-taggle festival in a city of changing styles and culture such as Galway.
THE YACHTY ONE
Wicklow Regatta, July 22nd-August 1st
With three-quarter length trousers, boat shoes and straw hats all the rage again, you just need to find yourself the right maritime festival to flaunt your style. Try to steer clear of the yawnsome "I do like to be beside the seaside" white and navy blue combo and go for a statement dress instead. Tomato red is the colour of the season and this scoop-neck wonder from the new collection at New Look is reasonably priced at €32.99. . Accessories-wise, team the look with good shoes and a floppy hat and add a raffia handbag and white shades and you're done. Now for a dozen oysters and a crisp glass of white - it's like Taste of Cork all over again except beside the sea.
THE MUSIC ONE
Castlepalooza, July 29th-31st
Ever since Glastonbury became the festival for fashion watching (think Daisy Lowe in vintage and Emma Watson in Burberry), music festivals worldwide have become the summer catwalks, where new trends get flaunted. While maxi skirts and dresses, cutesy all-in-ones and hot leather shorts have been the big hits in the past few years, this is the year of the statement T-shirt, high-waisted trouser and Doc Marten boot. Ithe 1990s, one of the few places to get Doc Martens was in a little stall out the back of the Ilac Centre in Dublin, but these days you can pick them up everywhere. Floral dresses work well when grunged up Pixie Geldof-style with boots, and they are perfect if the sun creeps out. And if it rains, you've always got your all-weather parka.
THE LITERARY ONE
Port Eliot Festival, Cornwall
Big-name festivals such as Port Eliot, Hay and Flat Lake have put literary shindigs on the chic-ometer (legendary designer Mary Katrantzou has even created a dress inspired by Port Eliot in Cornwall). There’s just no more getting away with worn-in-the-elbow knits and West Brit cord trousers. With workshops, poetry readings and literary think tanks on the agenda (not to mention a bit of music and lots of pints of Guinness), you need to get the looks behind the books and this school-girl meets librarian look is the perfect inspiration. Kicked-out midi skirts will be huge next season (a lot easier than frumpy pleats, believe me), so dip your toe in the trend now with this blue leather beauty from Topshop. Everyone has a skinny long cardigan and blouse in the back of their wardrobes; wear with sandals (and socks to avoid bites and soggy toes as you stomp through the fields; much more attractive than rubber boots). Lastly, add a shiny brown leather satchel, giving the effect that you’re carrying around your yet to-be-published oeuvre (but if you’ve just stuffed it with a few sandwiches and your iPad, nobody will know any better anyway).