Why jewellery Is taking centre stage in festival season

As the summer festival season unfolds, the fashion industry once again turns its attention to the proving ground of trend experimentation: the music field. But while wellington boots and crochet tops are a given, it's jewellery that's quietly becoming the most expressive—and commercially potent—layer of the look.
Pandora UK's latest study on festival fashion habits reveals a telling statistic: the average British festival-goer begins planning their outfit more than a month in advance. This level of preparation underscores just how influential festivals have become not only as cultural events but as critical seasonal retail moments—particularly for accessories brands seeking resonance with younger, trend-hungry consumers.
According to Emma Fox, jewellery expert at Pandora, this is a moment when jewellery is no longer an afterthought but "can be the star of the show." In a season shaped by boldness and escapism, Fox suggests that 'more is more' when it comes to festival accessorising—a sentiment that aligns with macro retail movements toward maximalism, self-expression, and experiential fashion. The retail race for festival relevance
For jewellery retailers, the stakes are higher than ever. In an increasingly saturated market, capturing festival traffic is both a branding opportunity and a direct-to-consumer sales driver. "Festival style offers a rare commercial window," says one industry buyer. "It's not about heritage or occasion wear—it's about immediacy, identity, and virality."
The demand for statement jewellery during festival season reflects wider consumer appetite for pieces that are expressive but not necessarily timeless. This is jewellery as temporary spectacle: high-impact, high-street, and high-margin.
Retailers from Zara to ASOS are quick to flood their channels with campaign imagery featuring layered chokers, nostalgic beadwork, and marine motif styles that correlate almost exactly with the trends identified by Pandora. The trends: A fusion of nostalgia and escapism
Pandora's research, paired with insights from Coachella's influencer circuit and early-season UK festival previews, points to five jewellery trends set to dominate 2025: Modern Boho returns but with sharper edges. Think moto fringe meets metal hardware, as the laid-back 70s aesthetic gets reinterpreted for Gen Z through Pinterest-driven 'moto boho' cues.
Gothic Glam sees a shift from soft romanticism to something darker and more theatrical. Lady Gaga's headline performance in a spiked scarlet gown is cited as a bellwether moment, with red gemstones, blackened metals, and religious iconography likely to influence mass-market collections.
Marine-Inspired pieces speak to a wider oceanic obsession already visible in runway collections. Designers and retailers alike are diving into pearl stacks, shell necklaces, and starfish pendants, playing into coastal escapism—particularly potent for overseas festivals and beach events.
90s Revival continues to exert its hold over jewellery design, with nameplate necklaces, enamel rings, and childhood-coded beads taking the nostalgia factor into high gear. Charm bracelets, in particular, are experiencing renewed attention, their modular nature perfectly suited to the season's spirit of personalisation.
Maximalism is not so much a trend as a permission slip. For brands, it's an invitation to encourage customers to stack, mix, and layer existing collections into bold new configurations. For consumers, it's an accessible way to update looks without a total overhaul. Jewellery as strategy, not afterthought
It has become clear that jewellery is no longer a marginal upsell but a strategic anchor in festival fashion. Its relatively low cost, high visibility, and versatility make it uniquely suited to a retail calendar increasingly dictated by moments of cultural spectacle.
As Emma Fox notes, 'Festival outfits are all about experimenting and being playful... it's a safe space for everyone to wear whatever they want, away from the practicality of everyday life.' For brands, this ethos is a commercial opportunity, one that turns festivals into not only aesthetic playgrounds but vital retail battlegrounds. In the end, jewellery's role in festival fashion speaks to a broader truth about today's consumer: it's not just about what they wear, but 'how much of themselves' they can project through it. And few seasons, or markets, offer such fertile ground for that as festival summer.

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Learn with AIFact CheckingText to SpeechAI Summary

Related Articles

Scottish Sun

32 minutes ago

• Scottish Sun

Model Iris Law spotted out for summer stroll with DJ double of former flame Trent Alexander-Arnold

Iris broke up with footballer Trent at the end of 2024 NEW MATCH Model Iris Law spotted out for summer stroll with DJ double of former flame Trent Alexander-Arnold Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) MODEL Iris Law looks cool for summer — as it emerged a DJ may be the new apple of her eye. The 24-year-old was spotted smiling on a stroll with Tommy Gold, 27. Sign up for the Entertainment newsletter Sign up 6 Model Iris Law has been spotted out with Tommy Gold, who has a resemblance to her former flame Credit: Goff 6 Iris previously dated England and Real Madrid footballer Trent Alexander-Arnold Credit: Zara She previously had a five-month relationship with Real Madrid defender Trent Alexander-Arnold, 26, after they met at a Guess photoshoot. Iris — daughter of actor Jude Law and film producer Sadie Frost — and Tommy were seen browsing in Portobello Road Market, West London, and picking up flowers. She had earlier posed in a white summer dress for Spanish fashion brand Zara. In November 2024, it was revealed the couple had split up and Trent had moved onto a new romance. A pal insisted there is 'no bad blood' between Iris and Trent, but added: 'Being a Wag was never really going to be her bag.' The footie ace is now dating influencer Estelle Behnke. She was recently seen in Spain accompanying him to his unveiling at new club Real Madrid. Trent Alexander-Arnold's New Love Life Revealed 6 Iris and Tommy were seen browsing in Portobello Road Market, London Credit: Goff 6 Iris, now 24, is the daughter of actors Jude Law and Sadie Frost Credit: Goff 6 Iris has been single since her break-up with the footballer at the end of last year Credit: Zara

Daily Mirror

41 minutes ago

• Daily Mirror

'I've visited 24,000 boozers on 40 year pub crawl - these are my favourites'

Peter Hill has supped an incredible 60,000 pints on a mammoth pub crawl which has seen him visit 24,000 boozers across the UK in a 40 year pub crawl quest to visit every CAMRA guide pub Real ale fan Peter Hill has supped an incredible 60,000 pints on a mammoth pub crawl which has seen him visit 24,000 boozers across the UK. He celebrated his 69th birthday in the Elephant & Castle, at the Black Country Living Museum, in Dudley, as he continued his quest to visit every pub in the CAMRA guide. He has enjoyed a pint in every corner of the UK along with his drinking crew – the Black Country Ale Tairsters – and has even had a pint in pubs on 69 islands around the UK. The retired engineer has travelled over 400,000 miles since he started in 1984 and logs every pub he has visited at his West Bromwich home. ‌ ‌ He said: 'Every pub is logged, since number one, and I have over 300 lever arch files with photos, cards and a write up of the pubs. I leave a calling card which I have signed by a pub team member to prove I have been in.' In every pub he visits Peter asks the landlord to make a £1 donation to the Midland Air Ambulance and has so far raised over £35,000. He said: 'Some give a quid, some give a tenner, some £20 and some give nowt. But it's a great charity.' Peter started his journey when he and his pals started visiting pubs listed on a map handed out by Wolverhampton based Banks brewery. After visiting 300 pubs in a year they decided to continue. He said: 'It's taken me 41 years but I've now visited 24,000 pubs, but there are still hundreds more to go. We all love our real ale, but we don't overdo it, 'We have visited every single island with a pub around the British Isles, 69 of them. We've been to the Shetlands, Orkneys, Jersey, Guernsey. It's been a great adventure. I'm going to North Yorkshire next weekend for four days and then Essex after that, so we'll chalk up a few more on the list. Sometimes I'm on my own, but mostly it's a really good crew I travel with. It's brilliant fun. ‌ 'We've travelled across Europe too, to the military sites, the Somme, the Maginot line, the British war graves. We learn about the history and we visit the local pubs too, but they don't count on the list. One of the greatest people we found was a guy from World War 2 who used to look after the SAS war graves in France, He was 92 when we met him.' Peter added: 'I love unusual pubs, pubs with something that makes them stand out. Pubs full of character and antiques. We love our real ales but we also try the stouts and milds.' ‌ Peter also backed The Mirror 's Save Our Pubs campaign - which calls for a "fighting fund" to help struggling pubs, recognising good pubs are the heart of the community. The campaign is crucial because pub closures have a significant impact on communities, leading to job losses and the loss of important social spaces. More than 400 pubs closed for good in England and Wales last year meaning the number of locals has dropped below 39,000 for the first time. Peter said: 'The local pub is vital in so many areas. You can meet for a chat and a laugh. But the prices are ridiculous now. You can pay £7 for a pint. ‌ 'There's the business costs, the taxes, the minimum wage doesn't help. Landlords have to cover the costs and it's a shame so many are closing. The government does need to do more to help.' Peter's top five pubs: Yew Tree Inn, Caulden Staffs: 'You've got to see it to believe it. It's fantastic, full of antiques.' The Mug House, Claines, Worcester: 'A cracking old pub next to a church yard.' The Black Lion, Consall Forge, North Staffs: 'Amazing scenery, next to an old steam railway and canal. It was hard to find, but it's easy now with Sat Nav.' The Rising Sun, Tipton: 'My local, I can't leave that out.' Payton Arms, Stoke Lyne, Oxfordshire: 'A fantastic, unique place. If you like character and cobwebs, this is the one.'

Daily Mirror

2 hours ago

• Daily Mirror

Dua Lipa 'blown away' as she becomes emotional during sold-out Wembley show

EXCLUSIVE: Dua Lipa was overcome with emotion as she took to the stage for her first sold-out concert at Wembley Stadium on Friday, admitting it had always been her dream Dua Lipa was overcome with emotion as she fulfilled her ultimate dream. The global mega-star has had a fast rise to fame since she first emerged in the music industry, and she's showing no signs of slowing down. On Friday, she headlined Wembley Stadium for the first time on the first of two nights at the home of English football, before moving on to Anfield in Liverpool. But the British and Albanian star couldn't believe what was happening as she addressed the sold-out crowd who'd flocked to north-west London to see her perform. ‌ Fans had been camping out at the stadium since Thursday, hoping to get to the very front row to see their idol deliver her biggest hits. Addressing the crowd, Dua said: "It means the absolute world to me that you're here tonight. It feels really special to be here today." ‌ The Levitating songstress continued: "It's been ten years since our first ever London show, which happened to be about 350 people, and I dreamt of a night like this that I get to be in front of 70,000 people. I'm so, so blown away." Dua, who joins a small club of female solo artists to headline the stadium, reflected on her career, admitting she believes one song changed her life, after she was signed to her management and record label. That song was Hotter Than Hell, which was fitting as the UK enjoyed its hottest day of the year. But Dua made sure to pull out all the stops for her first night at the iconic venue with a special guest appearance from Jamiroquai. Dua and Jamiroquai performed an incredible duet of the 1996 hit, Virtual Insanity, for her Radical Optimism tour. Vocalist Jay Kay was rocking a classic black hat with a purple trim and a white fringe jacket for the surprise performance, along with purple trousers. Fans were over the moon with the shock guest and rushed to social media to share their excitement, with one user revealing they "wish" they were at the concert in London to witness the duet. The Londoner joins Beyoncé, Taylor Swift, Adele, P!NK and Rihanna as one of the few women to have headlined the stadium. She performed her anthems, including Training Season, One Kiss, Levitating, Physical, Electricity, New Rules, Be the One, Don't Start Now and Houdini. ‌ Dua was just 17 when she was first discovered by her long-term manager, Ben Mawson, who said the singer has "it all." Speaking to Music Week in 2020, he revealed: "Dua told me she aspired to be Madonna when I met her, when she was 17, and there was something about the way she said it that made me believe her! "It was about her personality, her charisma, her competitiveness and her drive, and that came across. Dua's got it all, so she's unlimited potential." The singer rose to fame with her 2016 hit Be The One followed by her 2017 break-up anthem, New Rules. Since then, she has won several Brit Awards and three Grammys and headlined Glastonbury Festival last year shortly after the release of her third studio album Radical Optimism, which hit number one on the UK albums chart. Her 2020 Future Nostalgia album also reached number one, while her debut self-titled album, Dua Lipa, reached number three. She is the youngest person to feature on this year's Sunday Times 40 Under 40 Rich List, making her one of the wealthiest musicians in the UK. The singer was recently named the most played artist across radio, TV and public places in the UK for a second time by music licensing company Phonographic Performance Limited (PPL).