Finding Your Music Festival Style

The country western aesthetics are still going strong in 2026, and I still have “COWBOY CARTER” on repeat, so I’m here for it. But instead of dusty boots and cowhide cowboy hats, the western style has been updated to be a bit funkier. At Coachella 2026, people were rocking rhinestone-studded cowboy hats, sparkly belt buckles, thigh-high cowboy boots, neon fringe jackets, bedazzled chaps, and edgy bandanas.

If you love a country moment but don’t want to go rustic and traditional, I recommend you amp up your western look with unexpected elements. Add a sequin top to your western music festival outfits, or lean into designer vibes with a branded cowboy hat from Miu Miu. You can also curate a goth cowgirl energy with heavy eyeliner and black leather pants, like My Chemical Romance meets Little Big Town. Whatever you do, don’t be basic about it. Bring funk and fun to country styles so they fit into the 2026 festival culture. (Photo by Reign Martinez)

People are still riding that Y2K wave this year, but they’re going itty-bitty with it. That means micro shorts, the shortest mini skirts available, shirts that could be mistaken for cocktail napkins, and barely-there dresses. Oh yeah, we’re in a show-your-skin kind of era, and what better place than a music festival? If you’re baking in the desert heat at Burning Man, stay cool with tiny lace shorts, slinky bodycon dresses that barely cover your butt, skimpy bikini tops, daisy dukes with the pockets poking out, or a skirt that could pass for a belt.

Along with the little silhouettes and high hemlines, you get to play with the unhinged materials that we all loved in the early aughts. Cropped tank tops, butterfly shirts, nightclub-ready bubble dresses, and graphic tees all fit the vibe. These are uber-cute festival outfits that are dripping with nostalgia and an aura that takes me back to the days of “The Simple Life.” Don’t forget your glasses with the pink lenses or your bedazzled baguette purse. Oh, and if you have a pink Razor phone, bring that too. (Photo by PeopleByOwen)

Taking the show-your-skin era a step further, I’m also loving the looks that require a double-take to see if you're naked. Sheer materials are so in: mesh, tulle, open knits, gauze, thin linen, lace, and anything else that lets the light shine through. I love to take this up a level and make these summer festival outfits even saucier with nude colors that give you that full-on naked look. Remember Carrie’s “naked dress” from “Sex and the City”? That’s what I have in mind. Be scantily dressed or as covered as you want, because this trend is about feeling beautiful in your skin, with a little fashion on top.

Think plunging necklines, wide-open backs, tightly tailored dresses, revealing cutouts, and strappy silhouettes. This is where pasties and nude underwear will be your best friends, so be sure to stock up on those before your festival dates arrive. One thing that I loved seeing in Coachella fashion this year was the toned-down looks that still felt stylish but in the most nonchalant way possible. Many of the biggest celebrities were wearing plain tank tops and basic jean shorts, taking laidback to a new level. The nearly naked styles can have the same relaxed and lazy energy, but with a sexy overtone, making these among the most comfortable festival outfits. (Photo by Hamidreza Salehian)

This might be the most interesting trend I saw at Coachella this year, but I’m completely on board. The updated boho aesthetics were certainly there, with flowy bell-sleeve tops and lace pants. But plenty of festival goers, including celebs, were blending athleisure with cool boho vibes. I’m talking about Alo sports bras with lace mini skirts, Nike hoodies with sequin wrap skirts and leather boots, adidas track pants with flowy crop tops, and New Balance windbreakers over knitted dresses.

I love a mixed-aesthetic moment, and this is one of those intriguing fashion ideas that can go horribly wrong or sing with style. Is athleisure an acceptable Coachella festival style now? I’m answering that with a resounding yes. Now, you have another occasion to wear your colorblocked windbreaker and suede shorts. The key here is to find the right balance between boho and athleisure pieces. I suggest going mostly boho, and then sprinkling in a sporty item or two. (Photo by RDNE Stock project)

Another aesthetic that’s part of the show-your-skin era is the lingerie style, but, you know, in public. Hailey Bieber is a shining example of this, as she wore a vintage Dior slip dress to Coachella, and I immediately became obsessed. And when I say slip dress, I don’t mean a midi satin dress that could pass for a casual Saturday outfit. I mean a tiny, skimpy, lace-lined slip typically reserved for stay-at-home date nights. Hailey killed it in this iconic slip, but let’s be honest, Sabrina Carpenter will always be the blueprint for this aesthetic.

Beyond the sassy slips, I also spotted an onslaught of lacy corsets, sheer bodysuits, bedazzled garter belts, and dresses with corset boning. Chappell Roan and Camila Cabello, just to name a couple of stars, were among the ladies wearing lingerie-coded Coachella outfits. This sensual trend is setting the tone for the rest of the summer’s music festival style. Break out those lingerie pieces that have never left your house and give them a spin out on festival grounds. (Photo by Hameen Reynolds)

Along the lines of the boho athleisure aesthetic, one of this year’s festival fashion aesthetics is leaning even further into the super casual vibe. Justin Bieber reinforced this trend with his hot pink hoodie on stage, not that he usually pushes the envelope with his fashion anyway. Kendall Jenner left the boho vibes behind for 2026 and embraced a basic aesthetic with a white tank top, white jean shorts, and a baseball cap. One of my favorite casual looks was Flowerovlove’s on-stage oversized tee that read “body so tea the british are coming.” I’m head over heels for these edgy, funny, tongue-in-cheek graphic tees that make a statement by literally making a statement.

This is your moment to rock those clothing items that have basic silhouettes but with loud and expressive elements that make them stand out. Get those T-shirts, hoodies, bike shirts, quarter crew socks, and leggings, and give them your own flair by adding a quirky image or weird saying. I highly recommend customizing pieces if you want to nail this trend, because nothing is as cool as wearing a one-of-a-kind item. (Photo by Aleksandr Fedorov)

The last aesthetic I’m endorsing for 2026 music festival fashion is camp. Camp has always held a special place in my heart (shoutout to the Met Gala 2019 theme), and it’s a fabulous aesthetic to bust out at a lively festival. If the casual music festival outfits don’t call to you, go camp with your look. Wear items that feel like works of art, like Addison Rae’s feather boa scarf made of literal money. Go for drama, go for pizzazz, go fierce. These looks are costume-adjacent, so don’t hold back.

And you can incorporate elements from other music festival outfit ideas I mentioned above, like glittery outfits with head-to-toe fringe, sheer bodysuits that look like white hot flames, or oversized cowboy hats. Music festival outfits can be quiet and casual, but they can also be glamorous and gauche, so go all out or keep it subtle. (Photo by murat esibatir)