Festival season is upon us. On 26 June, Glastonbury festival kicks off a three-month stint of brilliant British music festivals including Isle of Wight, Leeds and Reading and Latitude festivals. For many, that will mean a summer spent in the mud and (hopefully) under the sun. 

But what to wear to a festival? The question requires much sartorial planning. 

A myriad of jackets are needed to account for every weather eventuality – from the chilly nights spent dancing under the stars to sunny afternoons spent sitting in the fields. Wellies and a spare change of shoes are a pre-requisite. If we asked Alexa Chung for her tips, she’d tell you to pack a pair of skinny jeans and a Barbour jacket. 

But the real packing challenge for a festival is what bag to take.

From crossbody bags or bum bags just big enough to store the daily essentials – mobile phone, hand sanitiser, etc — to backpacks with enough room to pack a waterproof, a bottle of water and a torch (a must-have for finding your tent in the dark), there is a perfect festival bag to suit every need.

Keep scrolling to discover the best festival bags for the summer.

Zara

From crop tops and high waisted shorts to ankle socks and hair glitter, festival style is all about bringing back the best trends of the 1990s. This camouflage bumbag from Zara reminds us of something All Saints would have worn back in the day. With a nifty front pocket ideal for storing a bank card and a bold Instagrammable camo print, this bag is best worn with oversized denim jackets. 

Zara bumbag, £25.99

 See by Chloe

With its bohemian aesthetic, See by Chloe is the ultimate warm weather festival brand. This belt bag, crafted from supple black leather, is a chic choice for storing just the essentials in. The front pocket will give easy access to bank cards while the inner zip will keep valuables safe. Perfect worn with cut-off jeans. 

See by Chloe belt bag, £275 at Matches Fashion

Burberry

Logomania shows no signs of abating, and this backpack from Burberry is sure to get the Instagram hits. Crafted in Italy from a durable nylon, this branded backpack features comfortable straps with subtle Burberry branding on, and lots of little pockets to keep essentials accessible. Plus, it’s big enough to store a raincoat for those sudden British downpours. 

Burberry Wilfin backpack, £850 at Matches Fashion

Topshop

This style isn’t big enough to keep everything in, so you may need an additional mini backpack — but it’s cute enough to be worth the double-up. Sporty crossbody bags are a major trend for summer, and this Topshop version is just the ticket: we love the mesh panels, big buckle straps and zips. 

Topshop Ibiza sporty bag, £20

Hunter

Purveyors of the world’s most popular wellies — for both festival and farming — Hunter soon expanded its festival-ready range into backpacks, complete with its iconic logo. This bag is the perfect accessory. Roomy enough to store a Barbour in, and with multiple zip pockets, this bag is a cool yet practical choice. Alexa would approve.  

Hunter clip top backpack, £115

Loewe x Paula’s Ibiza

Jetting off to Coachella or Benicassim? This rainbow-stripe woven crossbody bag from Loewe’s Paula’s Ibiza collection is an ideal choice — avoid at all costs for British festivals where rain is almost a certainty. The leather Loewe-branded patch gives this artisanal bag a luxury spin. Pair it with a floaty white dress and ankle boots for the ultimate bohemian look. 

Loewe x Paula’s Ibiza woven bag, £425

Zara x Disney

No festival bag guide is complete without a functional tote bag — this will be the bag to pack all your essentials that don’t fit in your rucksack. From snacks to bottles of water and spare jackets, plus camping mats and pillows for the tent, this oversized tote bag from Zara features a cute Disney Mickey Mouse cartoon print that makes us love it even more. 

Top tip: once unpacked, put your spare change of clean clothes for travelling home in in this tote and keep it inside the tent. That way, when the fun is over and it’s time to leave, you won’t be rummaging through your muddy clothes.