Wellies
You will be on your feet A LOT at the festival walking to and from the stages not to mention the long walk to your campsite from the car park so heels are a no no. Get kitted out with the ultimate festival footwear, festival wellies; add insoles to give trainer like comfort and long socks to prevent chafing. And girls you can go mad when it comes to festival wellies and get some very funky wellies indeed like patterned wellies, flower wellies and stripey wellingtons (Sunday name) to keep you looking good in the mud. Boys, festival wellies mean black, green or blue for you, but you can always customise, perhaps in an amusing Jimmy Cricket L & R wellington boot kind of way (Oh how we laughed).
Canvas Shoes
Fashion canvas shoes are a cheap and fairly disposable option and bang on fashion trends for the summer. If the weather is good you can wear them all the time and if it is not so good they could come in handy around camp for changing in to after a day spent in boots.
Sandals
Sandals and flip flops are ideal for when the weather gets nice and warm. Pack them anyway as they weigh nothing and will come in handy at some point during your stay, but more of that later. The important thing is they are better to have than not have and are brilliant for showers etc. If you want to go the whole hog and get walking sandals then brilliant as they make a great alternative to canvas shoes in the sunshine.
Boots
Hiking boots, waterproof if possible, even work boots or rigger boots make a good alternative to wellies and are good in all but the deepest mud. They are more comfortable if it is very warm too. It is well worth taking a few less beers and taking both wellies and walking boots trust us (You can always scrounge or buy another beer when you get there).
Bags and accessories
Looking like a human buckaroo is not normally a look to encourage in the real world, unless you are someone who spots trains for a hobby or a hardcore rambler. But festivals are not the real world and a good festival rucksack or large sports bag with plenty of pockets, straps and buckles to attach things to makes life a lot easier when you have loads to carry. And a smaller "day" rucksack for water, food and wet weather gear and sun cream during the day will leave your hands free for things like drinking and throwing a few shapes oh and fending off naked blue hippies.
Taking an umbrella for use away from the really crowded areas or if the heavens absolutely open in the middle of watching your favourite band is very useful. Having an umbrella about your person on your handy festival rucksack will give you a bit of distance from the rain (and the hippy!), and if you so choose the opportunity, you can get close to the person next to you providing you have followed the rules about remembering to bring wet wipes for keeping fresh and toothpaste.
Insoles for wellies and or walking boots to make them more comfortable when you are in them all day, and most of the night. Spare laces for your boots could help repair broken guy ropes, tie things on to other things, or many other as yet undiscovered uses, so go discover, people! Hats too, a good hat will help prevent sunstroke which is very unpleasant indeed.
Trainers
Trainers are an excellent form of footwear if the weather is OK. And if your camp is sensibly placed (Remembering water runs down hill and being conveniently located for the toilets is not actually a good idea unless you have no sense of smell and are resistant to a wide range of interesting diseases) and it is not too muddy. Also they are a very nice thing to change in to after you get back and if it is really, really warm and dry they will be ideal for the whole event.
