The Festival Fashion Guide

Like it or not, the days when festivals were all about the music are long gone. In 2010 you read as much about the fashion as you do the front row and the z-listers grab more of the headlines than the headliners themselves – festivals have hit the mainstream, big time. Festival fashion has become huge business, with many of the high street and online retailers, notably those with younger target markets like Topman and ASOS, tailoring much of their summer promotion around music and festivals.
I’m not saying this added commercialism is necessarily a bad thing though, as like many of you I’m a music fan and fashion lover in equal parts. I prefer to embrace festival fashion as a trend, and a challenge, rather than moan about how ‘things aren’t like they used to be’ at the festivals. After all, if you’re going to be wearing the same thing for 4 days then you may as well wear something that looks great.
For your FashionBeans Festival Fashion Guide I’ve hunted the high street to find key festival items (aside from wet wipes) that will be hotter than the Libertines reunion this summer. Many of the key summer trends will still be applicable – they just need amending slightly to become more practical. It’s out with the chinos and in with the dark denim, out with the sandals and in with the wellies while graphic t-shirts and vests take centre stage.
It’s worth noting that normally when we post articles here at Fashionbeans.com we include offerings from both the high street and designer collections. But for festival fashion I’m keen to focus on the high street because I think a) many of the designer collections aren’t really tailored towards the standard festival goer and b) if you’re going to be spending the whole weekend living out of a tent in a muddy field with nothing but cider for company, you don’t want to be ruining your favourite designer pieces.

Key Festival Trends

Graphic Tees & Vests

While you’re away on your musical mini break, your chosen jeans and shorts should remain neutral leaving you plenty of opportunity to show your style with your chosen vest or tee. Graphic tees, particularly those with a musical twist, are huge this summer which is great news for the style savvy festival goer. There’s a wide range on the high street to suit all tastes and price ranges – but the House Of The Gods collection featured on Asos are definitely my favourite:

Cut Off Denim Shorts

The happy medium between the comfort and practicality of cargo shorts, and smarter tailored shorts – cut off denim is the ideal festival choice. Set to be hugely popular this summer, denim shorts are perfect to combine with a graphic or plain tee to nail the festival look. What’s also great about this trend is that if you’re struggling for cash (and who isn’t after forking out for their ticket) you can easily make your own pair. Here are a few of my picks from the high street:

Dark Jeans

Although light coloured chinos are a style staple this summer, they may not be the most practical item in a field with temperamental British weather. Dark denim is great because it goes with almost everything – wellies, high tops or boat shoes – and gives you a solid foundation to base your festival style. Leave your designer denim at home and opt for a pair of dark jeans from the high street that fit your body shape well, are comfortable and you could happily wear all weekend if needs be:

High Tops or Wellies

As the festival field can turn from grassy knoll into a mud bath within a matter of hours you need to include at least one practical pair of shoes – preferably wellies – in your festival plans. While ‘farmer footwear’ isn’t the most aesthetically pleasing option, you won’t be laughing when the heavens open all you’re left with is a pair of flip flops.
The recent resurgence of high tops is also great news for your festival footwear – team these 90’s heroes with your dark jeans to provide support, protection and comfort for a long day on your feet. It’s still a good idea to take a pair of ‘fair weather’ shoes like trainers, flip flops or the ASOS Fringed Deck Shoe for when the sun comes out, but only if you’re safe in the knowledge that you have your wet weather back up.

Accessories

The added accessories are where you can really put your own personal stamp on your festival style – and there is so much out there to choose from. Straw trilby is a fairly obvious choice, so if you’re choosing to wear one you’ll have to accept you aren’t going to be alone! I really like the Plaited Headband by ASOS, particularly practical if you’ve got longer hair that you won’t be able to wash for a few days, but equally quirky. Similarly, the Fold Over Canvas Bag is great because it’s got bags of style (pardon the pun) and practicality in equal measure. Here are a few of my picks, including the all important sunglasses:

Whatever festivals you’re heading to this summer, remember to try and incorporate one or two of the key trends, choosing interchangeable garments that you can layer to warm up, or cool down. But most importantly of all – savour every minute of what’s set to be an incredible summer of music and fashion.

The GQ Best Dressed List 2011

The Best Dressed List

Covering the very best in fashion, style, entertainment, sport, grooming, culture and lovely ladies, Gentlemen’s Quarterly (or GQ to the rest of us) is the most comprehensive and down right stylish magazine around. GQ is to monthly men’s magazines, what Glastonbury is to festivals. Sure there are others, but none quite as well respected, as sought after or as damn right brilliant.
This month’s edition of GQ is extra special, and one of the most eagerly awaited editions of the year. No, not just because there are Victoria Secret models adorning the cover, but because it features the GQ Best Dressed Men In Britain 2011. Topped by Robert Pattinson 2010 [ed: HOW!], the GQ Best Dressed list is a celebration of British style featuring 50 of the most suave, effortlessly cool and well, best dressed men of the year.

So what does this year’s list have to offer? Well, as you would expect there is a big nod to the sophisticated and lavish tailoring of Saville Row, but there is also enough space for half a dozen rock stars, a rapper, and more than enough edgy, forward thinking young icons to go around. Age wise it’s more varied than a Take That concert, with Bryan Ferry looking immaculate at 65, while Romeo Beckham is stylishly representing the somewhat younger generation. It’s this younger generation – particularly young British actors – that are really flying the flag for this, the most stylish of nations. The fact that entire top 5 is made of up guys aged 26 or younger, shows you why when it comes to British style icons, the future is so bright it’s probably best not to look directly at it.
Obviously, as with every list of this nature, not everyone is going to agree with the choices of the GQ editors, so it would be great to hear your take on the top 50 best dressed men in Britain today. Lets face it, any list that features both Prince William and Prince Harry, an F1 racing driver and Ray Winstone is bound to cause a stir.

GQ Best Dressed List 2011 (20 – 2)

Editor: We don’t want to take all the fun out of reading the supplement that comes with the latest GQ, so we are not actually going to name every single person on the list. However we have put together a lovely montage of the top 20 below which counts down from 20 left to right. Plus you can find a great round-up of the winner’s style by Duncan underneath. See how many you can work out from the images.

GQ Best Dressed Man Of The Year 2011: Aaron Johnson

At only 20 years old, Aaron Johnson has already made his name as an actor (notably in Nowhere Boy and the brilliant Kick Ass), as a toy boy (he’s engaged to 43 year old director Sam Taylor-Wood), and now a style icon. Picked ahead of the chasing pack as GQ’s most stylish man of 2011 because he “kicks ass fashion wise” according to Editor Dylan Jones, he caught the eye of the decision makers at GQ’s Men of the Year awards back in 2010 and hasn’t looked back since.
So what makes Aaron so special? Well like any film star he spends his fair share of time on the red carpet, so of course he’s required to look dapper in a suit. He wears a tux with a mixture of suave sophistication and rugged charm, favouring quirky accessories such as the bow tie or the pocket square over the more traditional neck tie. When it comes to his casual style, again he showcases an equally charming mix of maturity and youthful exuberance, embracing elements of the ‘worker’ style that’s going to be massive this spring – with off white vests, check shirts, denim and tweed featuring heavily in his artillery.
With an eclectic mix of young and old throughout the list it’s no wonder Aaron Johnson tops the pile of Britain’s best dressed. He’s got everything that’s great about fashion in this country – he can be relaxed, casual and effortlessly cool one minute, but boy does he scrub up well.

Aaron Johnson Smart Style Picks:

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To read more on the GQ Best Dressed List 2011, including the ten worst-dressed men in the world and the best dressed international men of 2011, pick up the latest copy of GQ magazine.

Men’s Fashion Revival? The Plus Fours

I was delving through my wardrobe the other morning and was feeling, ‘let’s say’ less than inspired. Although men’s fashion for this season has been given the step up, it’s still difficult to buy high-end, less mainstream threads without spending an arm ‘n’ a leg. Because the majority of men do not want to let go of the standard jeans and T-shirt combination, a lot of high street stores aren’t buying the more avant-garde garments.
Due to this predicament I decided to check out the vintage scene again. However, I’m past the idea that ‘just because its 50 years old it looks cool’.
After 2 hours of intricately rummaging; through moth balled furs, bat-winged, Hi-Tech jackets and flamboyantly tattered flairs, I found myself a pair of black tweed plus fours. A little bit dusty round the edges but gorgeous none-the-less.
Ok they’re two sizes to big, but, I think that will add to the look once I’ve altered them. My plan is to take just the waist band in, leaving the upper legs and crotch parachute-y and bellowing. Like a classic pair of drop crotch shorts.

I have always been a huge fan of that beautiful, 18th century, golfing attire. I also see this punky, Sherlock Holmes look coming in for AW10, as a darker version of that Regency romance.

What Are Plus Fours?

Plus fours (also known as Knickerbockers), were boy’s baggy knee trousers popular in the 18th century. Until the First World War boys wore shorts in the summer and knickerbockers or plus fours in the winter, until they hit puberty and graduated to long trousers. ‘I’d rather stay in the plus fours if you ask me’. In the early 19th century, plus fours were worn as part of sports attire. Which is where that great tweed and watch tartan golfing dress originated from. History lesson over.
When I bought my plus fours I didn’t actually think about how fashion forward they were, in a non mainstream way. With the twisted, country look (that I for one am incredibly excited about) coming in for next season, I think plus fours and 3/4 length suit trousers are a fantastic way to bring the punkoutry, look into this summer. Maybe teaming them with a tweed waistcoat and printed T – so you don’t look completely like a chimney sweep!
A look that I’m planning on breaking out closer to the autumn is plus fours with hunting socks and big, elaborate, bow tied neckerchiefs. An image Inspired by the Mad Hatter in Tim Burton’s adaptation of Alice in Wonderland. Fashion and outfit inspiration is all around us in this world, you just need to take notice.
Calf hugging, British eccentricity is definitely the way forward for this spring/summer. Let’s not leave this beautiful piece of fashion history on the derrieres of unconventional, country club golfers or the dusty floors of vintage shops.
If there’s ever going to be a time to revive plus fours it’s definitely the season to do so. Yay!
Big Love,
Jacob Kamara

Graduate Fashion Week Round-Up

After trying to squeeze my pheasant tail-feather brooch into a packed out Central line tube, I arrived at Earls Court for the Graduate Fashion week Gala show and awards.
Avoiding an embarrassing walk down the ‘Pink’ carpet we were bustled through into a Champagne reception. The bubbles were flowing and the Fash-Pack were in full swing. Members of the party included Nicola Roberts from Girls Aloud (looking incredibly pale but intimidatingly beautiful), Amelle Berrabah (the cockney one from Sugababes), Bonny Wright from Harry Potter, Kanya King Founder of the MOBO award, dance group Diversity, Alberta Ferretti, copious editors from ELLE, British Vogue and GQ and heads from fashion houses including Mulberry and McQueen.
In my excited gallop from the toilet back to where the bubbles were being sipped and sparkling smiles passed around generously, I stupidly bumped into someone. That someone turned out to be the inexplicably beautiful Erin O’Connor… *cheeks flush* *heart falls out my mouth*. Thankfully I didn’t get rugby wrestled to the ground by boulders of security men, and all was well if not slightly embarrassing.
A short while later I was taking my seat and apologising to the attendees seated behind me, for the unnecessary size of my blinding, feathered brooch.

I always love student fashion: it’s so fresh and fun, especially in today’s era when many of these young designers are completely smashing down the boundaries of fashion, which for me is truly inspiring. So my excitement for the pending collections was oozing.
The show started with a series of awards doled out by various celebs to un-expecting students. When I say un-expecting I’m completely serious: there were a group of students out back having a desperate fag, when one of their names was called. To the hosts (Caryn Franklyn) dismay they were not there to collect their award and scampered back through the audience, in a panicked frenzy once someone had run out to tell her the news.
The last award for ‘Most Inspiring Person’ was voted for by British fashion students, and was awarded to Lee Alexander McQueen. The award was received by the CEO of McQueen who gave a very emotional and inspiring speech at which point stifled inhales to hold back genuine sadness was heard throughout the venue.
After the awards were received, the back drop disappeared to reveal a scaffolding draped in models, who very carefully yet precisely climbed down the steep stairs and took to the runway. And so the graduates show commenced.
Menswear is getting more and more exhilarating and many of the graduate’s collections emulated this and then pushed it even further.Here a few of my favourites from the week.

Alena Tikhonova

This was such an outstanding collection in the flesh. The detail and precision of the garments was completely dazzling. It was yet another collection that I would happily be the proud owner of every single piece. I was lucky enough to be introduced to the graduates tutor and I also received an invite from her to attend their version of GFW in Russia. Yes please!

Antonia Lloyd

When I saw this collection I thought if you tightened the shorts you could quite easily be looking at a Calvin Klein collection. Future CK designer maybe? And the bib shirt: I’ll take it in every colour, thanks.

Bobby Charles Abley

Oh, Bobby, Bobby, Bobby if you’re reading this, will you be my BFF and make all my clothes please? I am completely in love with this collection and would wear (here’s hoping) every single piece right down to the rubber gloves. Even if you remove the eye-catching bondage wear you’re still left with a remarkable collection full of pioneering shapes, textures, colour and patterns. I love it!

Gary James Butterfield

Garry produced a really innovative collection, including huge sheep and goat skin coats with patterns burnt into them, layers of billowing fabric, drop crotch pants and a to-die-for Barbour-esque cape.

Katie Barrett

Katie fashioned a collection of loose fit cottons and flowing Man-skirts, chunky knits and mould-stain print jackets all in mute greys and blacks, teamed with traffic light red socks, Tees and belts. I think the overall look of this collection is a real trend setter.

Thomasin Gautier-Ollerenshaw

When Thomasin’s collection came out I had to repress the desire to stand up. This knitwear collection is so fun and although very eccentric, it’s wearable. Everytime I look at this collection I smile, that is exactly what fashion is all about for me. Check out the candy orange clogs, future trend?

Thomas Crisp

Winner of the Menswear award, Thomas created an accessible, ready to wear collection featuring a Man skirt, lots of leather and some exquisite tailoring. Simple yet eccentric! I actually bumped into Thomas in Earls Court tube station after the event and congratulated him and marvelled at his award. Congratulations again Thomas.

The Show is Over

Without delay, as soon as the last ovation was complete, no one hesitated in dashing to the after party. Which was a lovely, bustling square of chit chat and high spirited graduates, press, supporting celebs and industry massives, all being crammed full of Champagne, falafel, beer, wine, chicken and the most AMAZING mini cheese cakes. I’m pretty sure they weren’t the Iceland ?1 variety. Before long Kiss100 DJ Neev took to the decks and let’s just say when you fill a busy fash-pack with booze and blast the speakers you get one hell of a party…
On my departure, slightly too full of red wine and beer, and franticly trying to kill the urge to cab it to Soho for the after, after party, I was stopped by a street style pap to take my picture… it turned out she was so wasted she couldn’t turn her camera on.
Big Love,
Jacob Kamara
If you follow me on twitter you may already know, however if not, I’m working on some exclusive write-ups for a couple of the graduate menswear designers, so keep an eye out.

Extreme Men’s Fashion – Face Jewellery

When Art and Fashion Collide

The boundaries between art and fashion can sometimes be a million miles apart, however in some cases, these very same boundaries can disappear entirely. Whilst the ‘Non-Fashpack’ are fumbling through immense bargain bins, overflowing with 100% polyester and stocking up on Asda (WalMart) ?2.99, stone wash denim bootlegs and marvelling over the practicality of an all-in-one shirt, jumper, tie combo. You know the kind.
At the same time as cash registers at cheap, mass-produced outlets are filling up on dirty coins, zealous fashionistas are expressing there personalities and avid inspirations the only way they know how: ‘artistic expression’ in fashion. I know that sounds a smidgen corny, however walking around your local superstore does make one consider whether getting dressed really is an art that some are, unfortunately, not gifted with…
I tend to live in my own little stratosphere in my head, where elves whiz around on glow in the dark clouds (actually chavs in supped up Vauxhall Nova’s) and damsels with lustrous tresses hang out of windows, yearning for prince charming to arrive on Pegasus (often known as a whore house). The idea of realism 24/7 is just too much for me. Us modern day populace live high-speed, often precarious lives, the lust for escapism is fundamental to survival. I don’t mean that in a literal sense, but being liberated in one aspect helps you deal with woe and general day to day crap in other aspects of life. Throughout the ages people have used fashion and image as a means of escapism; whether it be tribal, carnival wear or snappy dinner attire.

My latest musing falls into the category where the boundaries are so far from existence you could debate whether there could ever be one at all: Face Jewellery. No, I’m not talking a fancy nose ring or a gemmed labret. I’m talking full on, Salvador Dali-esque, seriously uncomfortable, face accessories.
In recent months the desire to have a bit more enjoyment with fashion has become more popular, and as a consequence this has opened up a market for some crazy accessory designers. Although designers have always sent intimidatingly OTT headwear and accessories down the runway, they’re starting to become more accessible. Personally, after working a 40 hour week, and squeezing in the time to write, blog, hit the gym and grab the odd pint with friends, I feel that I have the right to stick an oversized spider covered in studs to my face or replace my eyebrows with LEGO bricks. If that’s what it takes to get a moment of escape.
Coco and Breezy are a pair of young eye accessory designers based in New York and are slowly breaking into the industry. Their eccentric eye wear is starting to pop up on the faces of quirky well-knowns like the Gaga-nater, Rihanna and Amber Rose.
The design duo, also identical twin sisters, produce a vast range of generally ready-to-wear accessories, ridiculously cool eye patches and some super impressive shades.
Their latest collection 2020 is sure to score them a place in the hearts of many an accessory lover. Whether it’s a necklace made out of pure chaos or a pair of shades crafted out of a bullet dented, sheet of metal, their brain children are sure to get your pulses racing.
Sophie Duran based in Rotterdam, has created a collection of facial jewellery called ‘the Imperfectionist’: the collection is based on the increased cosmetic surgery market and the distinctiveness of beauty without plastic surgery. As more people go under the knife to look more ‘beautiful,’ the beauty in individuality is lost.

“Imperfection gives expression, expression gives power of attraction.
Plastic surgery and media influences are examples why people all over the world are beginning to look more the same. That is a waste! It is scientifically proved, the more average, the less attractive. Individual unique characteristics make people attractive. Therefore, I designed four jewels for the face; with these the user can define the intensity of his expression. With a pump, you can blow up your lips in any desirable dimension, you can attach chains to a grill in the corners of your mouth, a blue moustache can be curled in different heights and meters of lashes can be wound up”.

As a result, Duran has created four individual pieces of face jewellery. An intriguing pair of inflatable lips, with an added hand pump for the (im)perfect pout. A chain embellished grill for the ultimate metal mouth, also pretty handy if you struggling with your diet. Spectacle frames with meters of false eyelashes, and a handle to wind them up and down to any desired length. The most beautiful of mustaches, crafted from what looks like a steam punk Train/beetle that can be curled and twizzled to different heights and shapes. You can switch from a Salvador Dali upright to a handle bar in seconds.
However un-practical these pieces are, there’s no doubting their beauty. I mean just think, you get home from a long, hard days work the last thing you want is to be sticking on eyelashes or preening that ‘tache for a quickie down the local. Problems solved!
Joking aside, most of the pieces I’ve seen are really beautiful and if you aren’t daring enough to don a pair of self plumping lips or a mechanical, beating, crystal heart in your hair you can always stick it on your fireplace and pull it out for failing dinner parties, it’s sure way to get the conversations rolling.
Big love,
Jacob Kamara