With festival season right around the corner, and festivals like Lollapalooza, Hinterland and All Things Go ready to give us their all, no one wants to spend a fortune on a single outfit that ends up uncomfortable, or worse, too niche to ever wear again. Between long days, unpredictable weather and plenty of walking, comfort is key. However, nobody wants to look back at pajamas in their Lollapalooza photos. With a bit of creativity, and maybe some thrifting, you can build a look that’s both functional and photo-ready without breaking the bank.
Thrifting and Shopping Secondhand
If you’re looking for standout pieces that feel personal and don’t cost a fortune, secondhand shopping is your best friend. Not only is it budget-friendly, but it’s also one of the easiest ways to score one-of-a-kind finds that make your outfit pop. Frequent festival-goers often recycle old pieces on secondhand online sites, so you’re more likely to find something fitting for your event.
Depop is a popular platform for sourcing unique secondhand gems that can be tailored to your individual style or aesthetic. It also has a festival fashion category, where users can find affordable and trendy music fest-inspired pieces. Poshmark offers a similar experience, but it is especially useful for finding name-brand festival gear at a steep discount. ThredUp functions like an online thrift store, offering a massive inventory of gently-used clothing at competitive prices. Facebook Marketplace is often overlooked, but it’s an excellent place to find local steals, especially for festival staples like boots, bags and lightweight jackets.
Items that are knitted or crocheted also tend to be popular festival pieces and can be found from many online sellers that will customize them by color and size.
DIY and Custom Pieces
If you’re the type who loves a little flair, or just hate seeing someone else in the same top as you, DIY and custom festival wear might be your route. It’s an easy way to ensure your outfit stands out, even if it started as a $3 thrift store tee.
Etsy is a great place to search for handmade or customized festival pieces, such as bandanas, mesh tops and jewelry designed by independent creators. Redbubble and Teepublic both offer graphic tees, crop tops and tanks featuring designs from independent artists — perfect if you want to represent your favorite band or vibe in a more unique way.
CherryKitten, a personal favorite and hidden gem, offers frequent BOGO deals and percentage-off discounts that increase with the more items you buy. The online store is known for its playfully sarcastic graphic tees, available in everything from tight-fitting to oversized styles, making it a great source for festival looks that blend comfort with individuality.
Pinterest and TikTok are packed with DIY inspiration and tutorials, ranging from easy hacks like cutting up an old tee to more detailed projects like hand-beading fringe or designing your own accessories.
Essentials On A Budget
While thrifting and DIY are great options that often support small creators, sometimes you’re working with a tight deadline and need fast, reliable basics.
Amazon is a solid go-to for quick festival essentials like fanny packs, sunglasses, fishnets or bodysuits, all with fast shipping. Target and Walmart both carry surprisingly stylish and affordable basics, and during spring and summer their seasonal collections often lean toward festival-friendly pieces like wide-leg pants, crop tops and boots. Uniqlo is ideal for functional yet stylish layering pieces, such as bike shorts, breezy tanks or UV-protection shirts, that keep you comfortable while still looking put together.
No matter your budget, festival fashion doesn’t have to mean sacrificing comfort or personal style. With a little resourcefulness, whether it’s thrifting, DIY-ing or taking advantage of sales, you can build an outfit that feels authentic, looks great and won’t leave you regretting your bank statement.
