12 Outfits To Wear To A Bonfire & Other Outdoorsy Events

Summer nights aren’t complete without going to a bonfire or two! To get you started looking your best, have a read through our guide to the best outfits to wear for bonfire nights.

When the weather is warm long into the night, it can only mean one thing: it’s the perfect time of the year for outdoor/backyard events, like a summer bonfire.

A bonfire party is the perfect excuse to get together with friends and enjoy a warm night in a casual setting. A bonfire is a man-made fire pit usually set up in a backyard, though a beach bonfire feels very ‘Laguna Beach’. Either way, a bonfire display provides some good old-fashioned fun!

The parties are usually relaxed, and so the perfect bonfire outfit should be too. In this article, we’ll give you some ideas for outfits that are perfect for your next bonfire look. Whether you’re going to a beach bonfire or just hanging out in a friend’s backyard, we’ve got you covered with the best tips for bonfire night outfits, as well as a mini guide to similar bonfire events in the UK and Scandinavia.

What To Wear To A Bonfire

1. Plaid Shirt

A flannel shirt is the quintessential fall clothing item. It works perfectly for that in-between weather and can be easily removed if the temperature picks up.

This also styles well with other casual elements such as leggings and boots. Just make sure to wear something underneath, like a tank top or T-shirt.

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2. Knit Dress + Ugg Boots

Nothing is quite as cozy as a thick knitted dress. Again, this can be dressed up with boots or dressed down with sneakers.

If the weather is cold, you can wear stockings underneath, or if it’s a maxi dress, a pair of thermal leggings hidden underneath is the perfect layering option.

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3. Shacket

A shacket is a really good choice to wear for a bonfire. It’s a hybrid item that looks like a shirt but is worn as a jacket.

This looks great when styled with jeans for a dressed-up look, or again if it’s a super chilled night, a pair of leggings will be comfortable and still put together.

You can even accessorize with a felt hat or beanie for an extra element.

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4. Jeans

You can never go wrong with a pair of jeans, especially for outdoor events. If you struggle to find jeans to suit your outfit, pay attention to the silhouette.

If you are wearing an oversized top or jacket, go for skinny jeans to balance out the look. Otherwise, boyfriend jeans will look fantastic with a bodysuit-style top or a tucked-in button-down.

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5. Plaid/Tweed Blazer

This is a great option if the climate is too cold to omit a jacket from your outfit. Tweed is a Scottish fabric and was traditionally worn by farmers to help them through the cold winter.

Luckily, you have the bonfire for heat. However, an outdoor party is the perfect setting to make your plaid blazer feel at home.

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6. Cozy Sweater

A classic winter knit is the perfect garment to add extra warmth while also looking stylish. You can go for a thick sweater to wear alone or go for a thin base layer to wear under a jacket [or shacket].

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7. High Boots

Long boots are perfect for the outdoors, especially if the event is a little more dressy or coincides with a birthday.

Go for a flat boot or one with a thick heel, as stilettos and grass don’t usually cooperate well.

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What to wear to bonfire night in the UK

Outdoor party culture differs all over the world. In the UK, they have a dedicated ‘bonfire night’ also known as Guy Fawkes Night. This is an annual holiday on the 5th of November and commemorates the day Guy Fawkes attempted to blow up the Houses of Parliament in London.

Now, this holiday is more of a celebration, and patrons get involved by attending or hosting a firework display either in a public area or their own back garden. Because of the weather at this time of year, this is an event where one must be wrapped up warm. Here are three outfit options for UK bonfire night.

1. Long Puffer Jacket

A waterproof jacket in November is a must. The weather can be unpredictable, and it wouldn’t be much fun to stand in the rain without one.

If you’re worried about looking frumpy, find a long jacket with vents on the side or a toggle to cinch in the waist.

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2. Teddy Coat

Maybe not the best option if you’ll be standing in front of a bonfire, but you won’t find anything much cozier than a warm teddy coat.

Though bonfire night is s family event, sometimes local hotels or country estates will host a more formal display, and so this is the perfect option to be warm but still look chic.

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3. Rain Boots

Also known as Wellington boots in the UK, these aren’t always the most glamorous option, but if you’re attending a firework display in a field or park, it will be the best option for you.

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What to wear to Scandinavian Midsummer

Scandinavian Midsummer is widely celebrated in Nordic countries [Sweden, Finland, Norway, Denmark, and Iceland], and Baltic countries (Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania), and has analogs in some Slavic countries.

Though the official date of the celebration is typically on the 24th of June, the longest day of the year aka the summer solstice, bigger celebrations are usually held on the closest weekend to the official date. This day can be traced back to ancient rituals which focus on the changing of seasons and what this means for nature and fertility.

Nowadays, the celebrations, customs and clothing vary from country to country, yet traditionally a bonfire is always present. While there is no official dress code in Finland and the Baltic countries, in Scandinavia, locals usually dress in white and wear headpieces resembling flower crowns.

If you’re planning a trip to see the bonfire celebrations for yourself, we’ve put together some outfit options to wear for a Scandinavian Midsummer!

1. Maxi Dresses

This is a classic look for Midsummer, particularly if it’s an all-white cotton dress. 

This is also similar to the traditional folk costumes that are worn at Midsummer, though the younger generations are finding ways to incorporate their personal styles as opposed to sticking to traditions. If it gets cold, wear a matching white sweater over your maxi dress, like pictured in the outfit above.

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2. Two-piece set

Similarly to maxi dresses, a linen or cotton two-piece set references traditional outfits while being a touch of new-world fashion.

Go for something clean-cut and flowy to embrace the laidback Scandi style.

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