Festival Gear Guide

Festival season is here once again, and most of us are thrilled and ready to go. You may already have plenty of festival gear stocked up from previous adventures, or this could be your very first time at a big music fest. Either way, it’s important that your festival gear is up to date if you want to get the most out of the experience.

Looking for a brand new festival outfit that will keep you cool and comfortable, while also showing off your style? Need to know the essential gear that will take your festival experience to the next level? We have the perfect festival gear guide for you!

Your Comprehensive Festival Gear Guide

Camping out at music festivals can be one of the biggest highlights of the entire event. However, if you haven’t planned ahead of time, it could very well be the worst.

Whether you’re on the road, in the air, or already on the festival grounds, there’s nothing worse than realizing you’ve forgotten a phone charger, bug spray, or any other important item. There are many everyday objects we take for granted that can turn a fun time into a downer if they’re left behind, as well as things you would only need at a festival that you might not think about until it’s too late.

Instead, plan ahead of time and make sure you know exactly what you want to bring. With the right festival gear guide, the only thing you’ll have to worry about during the show is which act to see first.

Festival Outfits

Planning your festival outfit should be one of the funnest parts about going to a music festival. Music is about expressing ourselves, so the more you show off your style and creativity, the more you’ll get into the spirit of the event.

Whether you’re going for ‘90s grunge, boho hippie, or eco-friendly fashion, it’s important to consider comfort as much as style. No matter how great you look, if your outfit is uncomfortable, you’ll be miserable and wishing you had on a t-shirt and tennis shoes instead.

You don’t have to dress plainly to be comfortable. Choose outfits that are made of soft, breathable materials to keep you cool while dancing. And don’t forget a few long-sleeve tops or full-length bottoms in case the nights get chilly or you need to cover a sunburn after your first day.

Dresses

Neoma Blue Kaftan from Passion Lilie, $86.00

Dresses are a great option if you choose a lightweight cotton fabric that allows you to stay comfortable dancing late into the night. Look for fabrics made of 100% cotton if you don’t want to deal with your clothes sticking to your body during the day. Artistic designs and eye-catching details, such as tassels or zippers, can help you really stand out from the crowd.

Shorts and Tops

Playful Blue Shorts from Passion Lilie, $49.00

A pair of shorts and a gorgeous crop top or halter top is always a go-to festival outfit. This will keep you cool in the daytime, while throwing on a lightweight wrap or jacket at night will help keep you warm. If you want a little more coverage, you can’t go wrong with a nice, flowy pair of pants at a festival—especially with a fun design. Choose a nice pair of shorts or pants with pockets, and you’ll be thanking yourself for the extra storage space.

Comfortable Shoes

It may seem obvious, but heels or boots that haven’t been broken in aren’t the best choice when you’re on your feet all day. But something you might not think about is bringing shoes that are easy to clean. Don’t bring your favorite pair of Nikes, or you risk getting them muddy if it rains. Instead, choose festival footwear that is comfortable, cute, and easy to clean, like these Wayfarer sandals or these stylish wellies.

Daytime Festival Gear

Hydration Backpack

Hydration backpacks are not just for hikers. Being able to carry all your essentials—plus have a refillable water pack close at hand—is a major win for any festival goer. Keeping hydrated is incredibly important when you’re spending all day at a festival, and these packs not only double as storage, but make sure you’re not heading back to your tent early with a headache. With so many gorgeous patterns available now, you can pick a pack that goes with any of your festival outfits.

Water Bottle and Vitamin C Supplement

Speaking of staying hydrated, it’s important to drink plenty of water throughout the day to combat exhaustion and just feeling sick overall. If you decide against a hydration backpack or want a little extra water to share with friends, bring a water bottle and keep it filled. A collapsible water bottle is a great option, as it can clip right onto your backpack and be flattened to save space. Vitamin C supplements like Emergen-C are smart additions to your water supply as well, helping you stay healthy and your immune system stay strong.

Fanny Packs

Fanny packs have been a go-to festival statement for years—and for good reason. These bags are light enough to carry, snap snugly around your waist, and allow you to have all your essentials within easy access at all times. Pick a bright color like this holographic fanny pack to add to your outfit as a part of your statement-making style.

Toiletries and Other Camping Accessories

You may know the toiletries you need on a daily basis, but some items such as towels, sunscreen, bugspray, hand sanitizer, and dry shampoo can really make your festival experience more comfortable. Bring along some trash bags and paper towels to help keep you and your area clean as well. Baby wipes can be a huge festival lifesaver, even helping you keep your face clean from dirt and sweat. And don’t forget earplugs! Use them during the day to protect your hearing and at night so you can get some sleep.

Nighttime Festival Gear

Tent and Sleeping Bag

If you’re camping out overnight for several days, you want to make sure you have the right festival gear to keep you secure and well-rested. Choose a tent that is easy to put up and can hold you and however many friends you’re traveling with. If it’s a really sunny day, you might want to invest in a pop-up canopy to keep your camping spot cool. Having one of these is guaranteed to make everyone else around you envious, and you can quickly make friends by inviting them to hang out with you in the shade. Make sure to bring your pillows and a sleeping bag that can keep you warm and comfortable throughout the night.

Camping Chairs and Coolers

When you head back to your tent for the night, you’ll want to sit around and hang out with your friends. Do yourself a favor and pack a foldable chair or two so you can relax at the end of the day. Chairs like this one are a perfect piece of camping gear. You’ll also want to have a cooler on hand packed with cold drinks and treats to help make your campsite party even more fun and inviting.

Portable Cell Phone Charger

This piece of festival gear is so important and yet so easily forgotten. Your phone is an essential part of your festival experience. Whether you need it to get in touch with your friends or take pictures and record videos, you don’t want your phone’s battery dying on you. Make sure to pack a portable charger like this one so you’ll never have to see your battery turn red.

Lantern or Flashlight

A lantern or flashlight is another one of those essential pieces of festival gear that is often overlooked. While you could always use your phone as a flashlight, an actual flashlight will give you more light and won’t use your phone battery. Don’t waste your time digging around your tent at night or walking through the dark to get to your car or the bathroom. Pack a handy lantern or flashlight, and you’ll be all set whenever the festival grounds get dark.

Festival Gear for the Elements

Headband or Bandana

Chevron Headband from Passion Lilie, $12.00

Some festivals are notorious for being particularly dusty. Keep a cute bandana around your neck to cover your face if it gets too bad. Headbands are always helpful when the heat is so intense you want to keep your hair off your face while still looking gorgeous.

Sunglasses

Sunglasses can be a flashy festival statement piece on their own, but they’re also important for keeping the sun, wind, and dust out of your eyes. Choose a wild pair to really show off your personality or a pair of neon shades to add some color to your outfit. Whatever pair you choose, you’ll be glad you aren’t squinting during any of the daytime performances. Choose a fun, eco-friendly pair like these or a colorful pair like this these.

Raincoat or Poncho

While festivals are usually nice and sunny, summer weather is known to be unpredictable. Bring a raincoat or poncho to make sure you’re covered for all kinds of weather. You’ll be glad you packed one when you’re able to continue dancing in the rain while others are running for shelter.

Shop Festival Outfits at Passion Lilie

At Passion Lilie, we create eco-friendly and fair trade clothing perfect for the festival season. Whether you’re looking a headband to keep you cool and stylish during the summer heat, or a dress that is sure to make you stand out from the festival crowds, Passion Lilie is your apparel shop for gorgeous festival fashion. Check us out to become inspired for your next festival, and make sure you create a checklist for your own festival gear guide so you’ll have everything you need to enjoy your next festival to its fullest.