Blame Kate Moss. Until she appeared at Glastonbury in 2003 wearing a crisp pink tunic and suede boots, festivals were antifashion events. In the tented universe “sleeping bag hair”, smudged eyeliner, combat trousers and skanky jumpers indicated that you were there for the music, man, and the “it” accessory was a dog on a string.

Unfortunately for the lazy, festivals have joined the ranks of situations – such as having a small child, exercising, popping to the supermarket post major surgery – that no longer allow celebrities and “civilians” leeway for looking rubbish. Eccentrically dishevelled is OK. Blandly scruffy is not.

I learnt my lesson about a vain, yet ill-planned approach to festival chic at the Reading Festival c 1994. At 2am I headed to the portable lavatories to wash my hands before removing my contact lenses, but as I accidentally dropped them down the germ-infested sink I realised that I had left my glasses behind. Cue four hours of myopically stumbling around the dark campsite like a B-movie zombie after ten pints of cider. The moral of the story? Plan. Make lists and coordinate outfits beforehand. A dingy tent is no place for experimentation.

There are three sartorial paths you could follow: indie and flirty à la Abi Harding, of the Zutons, who says she “makes an effort to look good in loose empire-line dresses or little shorts”; louche rock groupie such as Kate Moss (although her lean jeans and waistcoat combo is looking rather Pirates of the Caribbean); or impractical and slightly mad, à la Lily Allen, who braved the mud in a wedding dress last year.

Style tips

- Parkas are a big trend. The deep pockets and sloppy shape make them perfect for putting over layers in the evening. M&S has one at £69.

- Swap last year’s giant Jackie O shades (the former First Lady never sat crosslegged and chanting in a field ) for Ray-Ban Wayfarers or Aviators (rock mystique). Ray-Ban Wayfarers from Sunglass Hut, 020-8846 8700.

- Avoid: patterned wellies – too twee (Hunter wellies are more understated); fairy wings – too “I’m mad, me”; stetsons – too hen night/Manumission; and maxi dresses, unless you want to collect fag ends with your hem. Hunter Originals wellies, £50, 01387 269591

- Don’t forget: to fake tan beforehand, and take facial wipes, hay fever tablets, hand mirror, dry shampoo and a hairbrush.

Editor's choice

• Live fast, die young: The 27 Club
• Madonna's 50 most memorable moments
• Proms Podcast with Pierre Boulez