Only 40 something days until Download!

That's right folks, its not long until the Download Festival is upon us once again!! I haven't been since 2007, when I went for the weekend for the first time. I also went on my own, and as such, stayed with relatives who lived nearby. I don't think I'll ever camp again - cooked breakfasts, a BED, showers, toilets... all the creature comforts and then I get to go have fun in a field!!

So this year, me, my best mate and my bf embark on a trip to the festival, not camping. With a bit of luck the weather will be as nice as it was in 2007 - gloriously sunny and hot. Loads of bands to watch, just lying in the sun....

But what to wear? Having been to a few festies now I present to you my top 5 festival clothing tips:

1. Layer up - you don't know what the weather is going to be like, and lots of thin layers are easier to deal with than a couple of thick ones. Vest tops and thin cotton t shirts can be rolled up and slotted into even the smallest of spaces.

2. Comfy, sturdy footwear - you're probably going to end up walking miles. You don't want blisters when you are trying to fight your way out of the impromptu mosh pit that just sprang up around you. Also, remember that it might rain. So it would be best that your footwear could cope with this. My vote is on New Rocks, or something similar, as they aren't too hot in the warm weather and are pretty sturdy and waterproof if it rains. Take a spare pair of socks just in case.

3. Pockets - bags are rubbish in a crowd. Its difficult to carry a rucksack on your back, and the last thing you want is to have it hanging off one shoulder, because you're going to end up with a sore back after band number 15. If you can, wear trousers/shorts/bottoms with loads of pockets, and preferably pockets that you can fit a small bottle of water, tube of sunscreen and your money into.

4. Think about material and design - if it rains, and you are wearing long trousers that drag on the floor they are going to soak up the water quicker than you can down a pint of warm beer. Then you will have soggy legs for the rest of the day. Likewise, if they are long, and it is hot, you're going to have sweaty ankles. My vote - long shorts. Long enough to reach almost to the top of your boots. Then, you are shielded from the sun's rays (thus cutting down the amount of sunscreen you need to apply, and if the weather turns nasty, you can pull your socks up and keep your legs toasty. And they won't trail in the mud/wet. Same thing applies with heavy fabrics.

5. Black is always best - festivals are either muddy or dusty. Or both. White is not going to last 5 minutes. Black may still show the mud/dust, but when you put that through the washing machine 2 weeks after you get back, its going to be black when it comes out, not a patchy beige colour.

So there are my 5 tips for festival clothing. Before I go I'll show you the items that I will be taking with me for my weekend of fun!!