How to Dress for a Music Festival (Tips from a Concert Junky)

I have seen more concerts than I can even count. I love them! I love the experience of seeing someone’s raw talent live, while taking in all of the atmosphere of each concert and venue. It has been a passion of mine since I was 14 years old. I went to my very first music festival the summer after my freshman year and it totally opened my eyes up to a world that I instantly fell in love with.

At my first music festival, I had no idea how to dress. It was in the middle of the summer and I wore pants, a tank top, and white shoes. So many bad choices! I quickly learned that my legs were way too hot in full length pants and that my white shoes weren’t going to be white when I left at the end of the day.

As I went to more and more concerts and music festivals, I became a little smarter. I am going to share a few of my music festival dressing tips that I have learned over the last MANY concert going years.

How to Dress for an Outdoor Music Festival

1. If you plan on getting anywhere near the stage, wear close toed shoes. I can’t tell you the amount of times that I went to concerts with friends who didn’t live by this rule and had very sore toes by the end of the concert. Never, ever wear slip on sandals! I also can’t tell you how many times I saw flip flops being thrown in the middle of crowds in concerts. Nobody wants to be the person walking around with only one flip flop for the day!
2. Protect yourself from the sun! Definitely cover yourself in sunscreen, and bring more to reapply throughout the day. To add extra sun protection for your face, wear a hat! It also doubles as a way to cover up your hair that most likely will get flat, sweaty, or even have someone’s drink spilled on it… throughout a day full of concerts.
3. Wear shorts or a dress, if it is going to be a hot day. Don’t wear full length pants! You will burn up. Be careful when choosing the length of dress though. If it is too long, you (and everyone else) will be stepping on it all day. If it is too short, it will rise up when you lift your arms up and you will be showing everyone what your momma gave you!
4. Sunglasses are always a good idea. Not only will you not be squinting in the sun, but it also covers up any makeup that might smear after a day of dancing and singing a long to your favorite music, in the hot sun.
5. Accessorize lightly! Accessories tend to make you feel more hot and just get in the way, if you have too many on. I like to go with a light necklace that makes a statement, but doesn’t get in the way.
6. Keep your valuables close. Don’t plan on bringing your big purse. Only bring what you will really need and keep it in a small backpack, a fanny pack, or a little purse. It is even better if the backpack can double as a purse, as many venues won’t allow full on backpacks to enter their venue. Read up on what types of bags can be brought into the venue of your music festival!

It all comes down to what you are going to be most comfortable in! The good news is that you don’t have to dress like a total tourist in order to be comfortable in a music festival setting. My favorite place to shop for my concert outfits has always been Forever 21. They have so many different styles available and their price point is amazing!

My entire look, head to toe, is from Forever 21! You can find all of these items (or similar items) by using the links below.

Hat | Mineral Washed Dress | Round Sunglasses | Woven Choker | Rose Gold Sneakers

What music festivals will you be attending this year? Any other tips you want to add to my list?