LIFESTYLE

The sun’s threatening, the bass bins are throbbing and everyone’s getting drunk in a field. Best look your best then. Gina Dyer hits Bristol’s local boutiques to hunt down this year’s hottest festival styles.

Festival season. The one time of the year when quirky patterns, unusual accessories and loud colours are not only acceptable, but expected. Why spend the weekend in the same old denim shorts and vest when you could be rocking pretty floral maxi dresses, floaty gypsy skirts and oddball charms?

This year, floral prints are back. Big time. Ramp up the vintage charm by mixing it with fine lace and a cute corsage. The key to working this trend effectively is to look – and be – comfortable yet chic. Keep your dresses and tops loose fitting to allow movement and team them with oversized sunnies to channel your inner Stevie Nicks.

Explore your wild side with animal-themed accessories. Bristol’s Shop Dutty’s chunky gold rhino and elephant rings certainly add a bit of fierceness to any pretty summer combo (watch you don’t have someone’s eye out with them) and follow a key micro-trend for the summer by investing in some avian-themed trinkets. Birdie necklaces, brooches and fascinators in blue, green and silver are a great way to chirp up your outfit.

Colour blocking is also huge this year (trust us) – both in the city and in the sticks. Bold, bright clashing tones are your go-to staples, so wear them loud, proud and dangerously!

1. Summer envelope clutch – teal, £36, Elsie Riley

2. Summer envelope clutch – cream, £36, Elsie Riley

3. Mocha hobo bag – £48, Elsie Riley

4. Heritage horseshoe bracelet – £24.99, Elsie Riley

5. Sweet bird necklace – £47.99, Soukous

6. Uncaged blue bird pendant – Soukous

7. Poppy Bobbin dress – £24.95, Soukous

8. Gypsy dress – £39.95, Soukous

9. Bird fascinator – Shop Dutty

10. Skirt, gold bangles, animal rings – Shop Dutty

11. Isobel dress – £24.95, Soukous

12. Katey wears yellow top, necklace and earrings – Shop Dutty

13. Meg wears pink top, skirt, belt and accessories – Shop Dutty; gold necklace and bracelet (worn as hair tie) – Elsie Riley; shoes and sunglasses, model’s own; Katey wears yellow top, skirt, belt and accessories – Shop Dutty; sunglasses and shoes, model’s own

14. Katey wears Hedwig dress – violet £69.99, Elsie Riley; accessories – Elsie Riley; shoes, stylist’s own; umbrella – £22, Elsie Riley; Meg wears pink top £9, blazer £13 – Shop Dutty; shorts and shoes, model’s own; accessories – Elsie Riley

CREDITS

Photography Elena Goodrum

Make-up Verity Gough

Models Katey Brooks, Meg Pope

Stylist Sian Hogan

Shot in Stokes Croft

Stockists Elsie Riley 59 Broad St, Bristol, BS1 2EJ, 0117 934 9139, www.elsieriley.com; Soukous 44a-46 Cotham Hill, Bristol, BS6 6LA, 0117 923 9854, www.soukous.co.uk; Shop Dutty 116 Cheltenham Rd, Bristol, BS6 5RW, 0117 924 9990, www.shopdutty.com

GINA DYER IS EDITOR OF THE FABULOUS MYSTREETCHIC.COM, A BRISTOL-BASED ONLINE FASHION COMMUNITY COVERING ALL THE LATEST STYLES FROM YOUR CITY.