It’s time to hit the desert, park, and open fields for the fashion event of the summer: festival season. Move over, red carpets, because warm weather is all about creating the most fashionable festival outfits. Whether camping out at Coachella or shaking it at Lollapalooza, get ready to rock your festival fashion icon looks with these style ideas.
Fringe, denim, cowboy boots. They’re not just for country concerts but for the festival fashion of all genres. Choose a gender-neutral look with denim-on-denim jean shorts and a chambray top, or go light and airy (especially comfy) with a flowing lace-detailed dress with cowboy boots. Coastal cowgirl festival outfits are all the rage this year, and they’re easy to throw together with thrift finds or luxury accessories.
Sequins are always the answer when it comes to what to wear to a rave, music festival, or any celebratory event. For festival outfits of 2023, sequins reflect party mode in rainbow patterns and metallic silver, a la the classic disco ball.
You can don sequins on shift dresses, skirts, short shorts, two-piece sets, fringe vests… you name it; sequins are there. Don’t be afraid to play it up for the day! You’ll be the life of the party in your shiny, glittery get-up.
When spending so much time in the sun, festival fashion must also be practical—sport funky sunglasses in sharp shapes, large sizes, and cheerful colors. Pop on a pair of green patterned frames with green lenses for a retro look. Is one of your festival outfits hot pink from head to toe? Don’t miss the opportunity to layer the rosy shade with pink cat-eye shades.
And if you must bring your classic aviators, dress them up with chunky sunglass chains that double as a festival jewelry statement and act as insurance against inevitable theft and loss.
There are no festival fashion boundaries when we’re talking sunglasses at night, especially when it comes to what to wear to a rave, so keep those shades on all day long.
Look—the early 2000s trends aren’t going anywhere. You’ve seen the claw clips come back in style, so let festival fashion get to your head with Y2K-inspired hair-dos with mini claw clips, clipped space buns, and large claw clips with waterfall ponytails.
Regarding Y2K festival outfits, think back to your childhood. Remember scarves and bandanas? Used as more than just a hanky, these tiny pieces of fabric are your next top. Longer scarves can be tied around the neck and back, or bandanas can be tied around your chest like a tube top, totally 90s/00s style.
It’s hot, and you’re outside all day and night. You might as well wear a lightweight fabric that will let you breathe—right?! ‘What to wear to a rave’ just called and said mesh is the move no matter the music.
Think lightweight, long sleeve mesh shirts over printed triangle bikini tops and mesh wide-leg pants over spandex shorts. You’ll look cool and feel cool. If you’re not into showing so much skin, layer mesh tights under your denim shorts for just the right touch of desert-rave-wear.
No matter which festival you’re attending this summer, remember the old fashion rule: wear what speaks to you. You can dress to impress with festival fashion that shows off your personality, but at the end of the day, you want to be comfortable enough to make it through to the next day’s line-up. Have a blast and be yourself to shine like the festival star you truly are.