The legendary Notting Hill Carnival is just around the corner, and if you're planning on hitting up the annual celebration of Caribbean culture, let's talk outfits.
In the past, we've seen huge celebrities and industry insiders take to the streets for the festivities including Jourdan Dunn, Cara Delevingne, and Lily Allen - all looking unmatched in their ultra-vibrant, festival-coded looks.
Feathers, sequins and neon brights are firmly on the agenda for the street festival. The vibe is celebratory and playful - great news for people who like to drop a dose of dopamine into their outfits. You can't also talk about carnival without mentioning the one and only Rihanna, whose appearances at the Crop Over Festival in her native Barbados are legendary. If in doubt, channel your inner Riri.
However, there are key elements to keep in mind when curating your dream carnival look. Firstly, practicality is key. You'll likely be smushed between crowds, jamming and dancing all day - so an outfit that says fashion yet functional is of the utmost importance.
When is Notting Hill Carnival?
The carnival, which began in 1966, traditionally takes place during the August Bank Holiday, and this year is no different. The festivities start on Sunday 24 August and finish on Monday 25 August.
Making it even easier for you to have the best experience this year, the official Notting Hill Carnival app is free to use and you can download it for a live, GPS-tracked map showing all of the floats and their locations on the August Bank Holiday, plus food vendors, toilets, transport links and sound systems. You can also post in-app to meet fellow carnival-goers and vote for your favourite bands.
What to wear to Notting Hill Carnival 2025:
The Reconstituted Bike Top
Conner Ives
Conner Ives' distinctive Reconstituted Bike Top, originally a maxi-dress from SS19’s ‘Nature Boy’ collection, is made from 80s cycling jerseys, football shirts, motocross layers, and tie-dye spandex - melding clashing prints into a bold, vibrant statement piece perfect for carnival.
Deva Sequin Knit Trousers
Jaded London
Channel your inner Dua Lipa with a touch of midnight black sequins - perfect for shimmying the summer day away in the streets of West London.
Natalia Top
Miaou
Unsure what to wear to your favourite festival this year? Camo is always your best bet. Crafted from a sequin mesh knit material, Miaou's Natalia Top effortlessly conjures up military à la mode.
The "I Love Football...?" Dress
Hairy Mary
Introducing Hairy Mary - the new cool-girl brand on the block. Championing sustainability and innovative design via reworked materials, the independant label is set to kit out your carnival wardrobe with ease.
Tarina Tarantino Edition Butterfly Brit Charm Necklace
Petra Collins
The I’m Sorry by Petra Collins x Tarina Tarantino Butterfly Brit Charm Necklace is a playful, SSENSE-exclusive delight. Sparkling crystals, lucite beads, and colourful charms hang from a silver-tone chain, combining whimsy and sparkle in an adjustable statement piece.
True Angel Embellished Half Slip
Free People
Sequin midi skirts took SS25 by storm. Free People's ethereal yet romantic midi is dotted with sequins and features a honied yellow colourway - perfect for flaunting your sun-kissed summer glow.
Petal Bikini Bandeau Top
Samanta Virginio
Nobody does dopamine dressing quite like Samanta Virginio. The designer's petalled bikini top comes in an array of joyous hues, ready to take you from beach club to carnival in a jiffy.
Dégradé Halterneck Dress
Oséree
Oséree is often our first port of call for festival-themed partywear. Glittering and glorious, the brand's colourbomb offerings neatly tap into the fun and flair that Notting Hill promises during the bank holiday weekend.
Mesh Sequin Shorts
ASOS
Who said sequins were reserved for winter? Curate an unmissable, iridescent ensemble with a pair of glitzy sequin shorts - practical and pizzazz-filled in equal measure.
Curve-Enhancing Digitally Printed Top
Sinead Gorey
Sinead Gorey is your go-to girl for kaleidoscopic flair. A fashion week regular, the designer's archive is brimming with statement picks - including this long sleeve tee that's topping our wishlist.
Originals Lace Jersey
Adidas
Football shirts are one of the stand-out trends to emerge from 2025 - and brands like Adidas are making the sporty fad more palatable for the fashion crowd by whacking some lace in there. Us? Sold.
Green Twisted Sunglasses
Ottolinger
Another subversive brand tickling our sartorial fancy is none other than Ottolinger. The label's twisted shades in lime green are epic conversation-starters - complete with 100 per cent UVA/UVB protection.
Splendour Flower Knit Tank
Aje
Marry girlish glamour and punchy pigment with a helping hand from Aje. The brand's colour-saturated collection is irresistible - and this floral-clad tank is ideal for weekends spent at carnival and coffee mornings alike.
Samba Reversible Top/Skirt
Susmies
Nothing beats a reversible piece - a philosophy Susmies embraces whole-heartedly. The brand's beloved Samba Skirt comes in to playful designs, the first equally as enchanting as the next. Two for the price of one? Sign us up.
SSENSE Exclusive Yellow Top
Collina Strada
Unapologetic design is at the core of Collina Strada's cutting-edge, inclusive collections. The brand's halterneck top, exclusive to SSENSE, is striking and sustainable, made from Stretch Repreve recycled polyester with a plaid lime finish.
How we chose the pieces:
- Colour: We've scoured the internet's top fashion sites for pieces in fluorescent, metallic or just general larger-than-life shades. The procession is filled with colour and glitz, and so we've searched for both high street and designer picks that will help you put together a seriously high-octane ensemble, bound to get you noticed.
- Texture: This plays a key part in carnival costume - feathers, sequins, beading and the like. We've included pieces that champion crochet, chainmail-effect meshes, fraying and super shiny finishes.
HELLO!'s selection is editorial and independently chosen – we only feature items our editors love and approve of. HELLO! may collect a share of sales or other compensation from the links on this page. To find out more visit our FAQ page.
