Music festivals are all about self-expression and creativity while having a good time, but some fashion choices can easily sour the experience. Sure, you want to stand out, but not every trend is festival-friendly. From questionable shirts to impractical accessories, here’s what not to wear if you want to avoid looking like a tacky stereotypical trend-follower.
Brazil shirt
We aren’t just talking about any shirt that says “Brazil” on it, but specifically the classic tasteless green and yellow neon infant shirt that screams “BRAZIL.” It looks like you’re wearing a knockoff sports drink. You resemble someone going off to soccer practice, but who got dressed from your pile of dirty laundry. If you’re attending a festival with this on, I can promise that you dug it out of the bottom of a 2020 Shein haul that even Goodwill would eye-roll at. It’s not vintage or ironic, just sad. Honestly, just chop it up and use it as a makeup rag.
Ruffled bloomers
You remembered seeing them on TikTok, but wearing them outside of social media is an indicator that you have a disconnect between actual good fashion and micro-trends. Now you’re rocking mini polyester puff shorts like a Victorian child reinvented as a Pinterest influencer. These aren’t cute; they’re lost. You resemble someone missing one sheep of an entire herd. Just try to be more original.
Offensive baby tees
Don’t choose to wear something that makes people want to avoid you. You’re a walking unskippable pop-up by wearing a baby tee that proudly states, “I love gaslighting” or “I make boys cry.” There is nothing quite like announcing your worst personality traits in Comic Sans across your chest for a “fun festival vibe.” This shirt is for people who peaked sending shock factor messages in a group chat. If it could be reported, perhaps leave it at home. And if you’re relying on your tee to be the most exciting thing about you, that’s kind of a problem.
Bubble braids
Yes, they’re cute for a sixth grade soccer game, but two bubble braids at a music festival? You’re a court jester minus the bells. It’s not cool, it’s not clever, and it’s definitely not practical. Back to the hairstyles drawing board.
Bows
This is one of the more serious ones. Bows are not a personality trait. If you’re wearing bows on the back of your jeans, your purse, your shoes, or your ears, it’s horrible. I could understand maybe wearing a ribbon in your hair and tying it in a bow shape, but even that is pushing it. Slapping a bow on something doesn’t make it look like you’re more in touch with your feminine side; it’s just corny.
“Just an oversized shirt”
Where are your pants? I understand small bottoms, but looking like you have nothing underneath is a mistake. This is like a millennial cosplay. A music festival is not Disneyland. Leave the Mickey ears behind, and wear some pants.
Shirtless American flag overalls
We get it; you couldn’t wait to show off your chest hair and nationalism all in one. But flag-printed, bare-chested overalls? It’s just too much, but if you’re having fun, then maybe you don’t care that you look desperate.
The big brown circle belt with silver studs
Just let this one go. Just because you “thrifted” it doesn’t make you special. This belt is the focal point of every “festival fairy meets pirate tavern” look, and it never adds anything interesting. You are not attending a fair. Pick any other accessory.
At the end of the day, music festivals are all about enjoying the music, the energy, and the crowd. While fashion is part of the experience, you don’t want to be remembered for the wrong reasons. Ditch the unflattering pieces, and let your style shine through with originality. No one will miss the bubble braids or the offensive baby tees. Just keep it tasteful.
