How to Choose the Best T-Shirts for Music Festivals This Summer

Last updated on July 11th, 2024 at 03:54 pm

Music festival season is upon us, and if you’re like me, you probably already have your tickets for your favorite bands and events. The most important question now is how to jump between the stages and see all the bands you want to see.

The second most important question is what to wear while doing it. One of the best things about music festival style is the freedom to be expressive and wear whatever feels right for you.

You can’t go wrong with a comfortable, breathable tee paired with shorts or a flowy skirt. And, today, we’re talking about the best t-shirts for music festivals–most importantly, how to choose one that showcases your style and taste.

Five Styles That Are Perfect for Music Festivals

1) Band t-shirts

Wearing a band tee makes perfect sense when you’re heading to a music festival. If you’re there to see a specific band, wear that fandom with pride! If you hit the jackpot, and there are bands you love playing on multiple days, take along as many tees as you need.

Authentic band tees are great because they help you connect with the artists you love–plus, if they happen to spot you in the front row, they’ll appreciate the support. You’re also throwing some extra money their way, which could be a big help for smaller artists still trying to break through.

You might even make some new friends at the festival when you spot someone with the same band on their shirt.

Be sure to check out the band’s website for current lines or any vintage stock they’re selling off in time for the festival season.

There is an exception to the band t-shirt rule, however. Band tees have become trendy–think Gen-Zers in Nirvana and Rolling Stones shirts who can’t name a single song by that band.

Band t-shirts work when there is an emotional connection or a tour date on the back that you attended. But, if you’re not a fan of a specific band and are just going for the vibes, the next option might be better.

2) More generic music-themed shirts

You can still look like you belong at a music festival and wear a music-themed shirt without focusing on a specific band. There are tons of companies that create fun prints inspired by musical genres and the festival scene. Some will be pretty vague and open to all events, with slogans about the importance of music, images of musical notes, headphones, guitars, and so on. If you find one you like, and it works with your aesthetic, then this is the ideal way to bring your sense of style to a music festival.

Other t-shirts might be more specific to genres, like the EDM scene, punk, or hard rock. Browse sites online that specialize in artistic prints, and you’re sure to find something you like.

3) Tie dye shirts

It feels like it’s been a while since we could wear tie dye shirts at music festivals in a non-ironic way, but tie dye is back in fashion.

It was everywhere back in the late 1960s. The vibrant colors and psychedelic patterns immediately make us think of the Summer of Love and laid-back hippie vibes. Throw in some oversized sunglasses and flower garlands, and it’s like going back in time. Many festival goers like to create their own tie dye shirts at home with hair ties, cheap dye, and basic tees. There is another option though.

Since you can find such a huge variety of tie dye shirts online, it’s easier than ever to find something you love. There are so many ways to express yourself and take advantage of the the tie dye trend. The spiral patterns and rainbow colors will make you visible in the crowd–which is perfect when part of your crew decides to check out another stage. But, there are also softer tones and cute nebula-style patterns too.  

4) “Crew” shirts

On the subject of your crew getting separated, how about matching shirts for your whole group?

You and your friends probably have the best intentions about sticking together and sharing the experience, but that’s probably not going to happen. Sooner or later, you’ll all want to try different stages, food trucks, or check out different merch, so you’ll venture in different directions. Meeting back up for the headline act is easier said than done.

This is where matching crew shirts can help. You can purchase a batch of shirts in a specific style, customize them with a crew name and/or slogan, and then keep them afterward as fun mementos of the trip. You can do this with any shirt you want as long as you find a company that can offer quality printing for the lettering on the back. You can even combine the crew theme with tie dye shirts for double the impact.

5) Customized shirts

Finally, why not consider customized shirts for the music festival? If you can’t find a print that lets you express yourself in the way you want to, go for something custom-made.

You can start with any plain t-shirt you want, and then get creative with different materials. You can use fabric paint, patches, embroidery silks, and a whole lot more. This approach is ideal for those who want to support different artists across a festival or showcase a range of related interests. You could get an iron-on patch from one band, embroider a logo from another, and scrawl lyrics from someone else. The opportunities are endless. Even better, you can let the shirt evolve throughout the event. If you find a stall selling badges, pin them on. Take a fabric pen with you and paint something related to the site. It’s completely up to you!

That last point is the most important takeaway from this guide. You really can wear anything you want as long as it makes you happy and will make the music festival experience more enjoyable.

So, start looking at those fun tie dye prints, think about ways you can customize designs, and consider how you can honor the bands you love most. And, then go have a blast!

Also read:
How to Give Yourself a Style Makeover in Just a Few Easy Steps
7 Safety Tips for Solo Female Travelers
Vacationing on a Budget? Here are 5 Tips to Help You Stretch Those Dollars!

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