The BG Guide to… Camp Bestival Set Sail costume ideas

Camp Bestival enables us to combine our love of festivals with our love of dressing up. This year’s theme is Set Sail, which opens up a veritable treasure chest of possibilities. Here are a few ideas and buys from indie retailers to inspire you.

PIRATES
I’m expecting to meet many swashbucklers on site this year. Most people have costumes or accessories left over from pirate parties in the dressing up box. If not, here are three we recommend.

Numero 74 eye patch, £1.75, Scandi Mini. • Isabee pirate cape and hat, £57, Not on the High Street. • Vah wooden pirate sabre, £12, Smallable.

MERMAIDS

Another one you might already have a few bits for. It’s fairly easy to whip up a basic mermaid tail, even if you’re not a whizz on the sewing machine (these ones are made with a glue gun), but if you’re out of time, I can highly recommend the gorgeous For Just One Day one, below, as my mum bought it for Kitty for her birthday. We will be making shell necklaces and a crown to go with it. Tattoos are clearly an essential for a sailing-themed festival.

Mermaid tail, £36.50, For Just One Day. • Meri Meri mermaid tattoos, £1.75, Bambino Goodies. • Wild Things mermaid tail, £31, Etsy.

SAILORS

Think blue and white stripes, anchors, ropes, flares, beards and tattoos. Characters from The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou are always popular for adult groups at festivals – scrubs and a red beanie with Stan Smiths. For the practical choice, go for the fabulous The Bright Company limited-edition pyjamas, which have a tattoo print and can be worn day and night.

Mister Tody cardboard boat costume, £34.99, Not on the High Street. • Camp Bestival x TBC Set Sail Slim Jyms, £32, The Bright Company. • Sailor hat, £21.60, Petit Bateau.

SEA CREATURES

Here, the world is pretty much your oyster (sorry!). Alfie has a shark onesie he plans to wear to keep in costume in the evening, I expect there to be fish-scale leggings everywhere and Pinterest is your friend for fish hats or you could attach a soft toy to a headband (see octopus below). I’m planning to transform an umbrella into a jellyfish, similar to this one from Alpha Mom, and these lobster hoodies for little ones from Rad Young Things are adorable. Finally, pool noodles or modelling balloons make great anemone costumes.

A Heartly Craft set of four sea life masks, £24, Etsy. • Jellycat octopus toy, £14, Smallable. • Shark dress up set, £32, Tired Bear.

Have you got any brilliant undersea costume ideas to share? Are you going to Camp Bestival? Let us know below or on our Facebook page.

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