Festivals are so back – but when it comes to festival dressing, we’re a little out of practice. We’ve consulted the experts (fashion mags, Pinterest boards and TikTok’s #BTV hashtag) and narrowed down the non-negotiables. Here’s what to wear to a festival in 2025.
Matching sets
As easy as one + two. There’s no shortage of businesses doing matching sets around town, but we’d strongly recommend trying to find yours second hand – there’s something extra special about scoring the perfect vintage festival outfit. They don’t even need to be an exact match! Choosing similar colours or fabrics can help you get the look. Check out our favourite vintage shops right here. Don’t want to hunt? We love the summer sets from With Jean.
Sturdy staples
When in doubt, put on a white top. Tank or tee, sometimes it helps to have a versatile starting point (a blank canvas, if you will) to build your outfit from. We love this embellished one from Remain, but there are so many to choose from. And if you already have your upper half sorted, apply the same principle to your bottoms – a white mini skirt or pair of shorts are always a good idea.
Sensible shoes
From wellies to cowboy boots to Dr. Martens, festival footwear is a class of its own. But before you base your whole outfit around one pair of shoes, think: What are the conditions you’ll be stomping through? Will you be dancing on mud or concrete? There are three things to look for in the perfect pair of festival shoes: comfort, support and a lack of blisters. We’re opting for a sturdy sneaker like Salomons, or a classic pair of Docs. Nothing kills a festival like sore feet, so make sure you’ve worn them before the big day.
Heat-proof headwear
The latest festival trend has grandmas everywhere smiling with satisfaction… Pashminas. Sure, they probably didn’t mean for us to wear them with bikini tops and micro shorts, but they can’t win them all. In the Aussie heat, we need accessories that offer both style and sun protection: caps, light scarves and sunglasses tick all those boxes. Speaking of which…
Statement sunnies
Festival days are long, and the sun takes a long time to set – especially in summer. A good (but not too good) pair of sunnies is a festival essential. You want a pair that offers sun protection but doesn’t break the bank, considering they’ll probably be trampled and lost forever in the crush of the mosh pit.
Utility bags
Last but certainly not least, the festival bag. You want something large enough to fit the essentials, but not so big that it’s cumbersome (or going to take out a fellow festival-goer while you’re dancing). Something crossbody is also a good idea, to keep your essentials comfortably secure. This Baggu one from Sean Scott Boutique fits the bill perfectly.
Now all there is to do is buy your tickets. Check out our round up of Aussie festivals happening this year, right here.
