Fashion at music festivals has evolved so much over the years. In the early days, festival clothing was purely function over form. Jeans, t-shirts, hoodies – whatever you could throw on to trudge through the mud really. But today, festival-goers are expressing themselves and their individuality more than ever through their clothing choices.
The festival t-shirt in particular has become an iconic part of the festival experience. After a long day dancing and cheering for your favorite bands, that super soft festival tee just feels like the perfect thing to slip into for the night. And wearing it out in public afterwards becomes a badge of honor, proving you were there – that you’re a festival veteran.
For women though, finding the perfect festival t-shirt involves a lot more thought. It needs to be stylish and on-trend but also functional and comfortable for outdoor wear all day. It needs to show off your personal style without showing off too much! Finding the right balance between fashion and function can be tricky.
In this ultimate guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about choosing the best women’s festival t-shirts. You’ll learn all about the most popular styles and trends right now in 2022, how to choose fabrics that work for your climate, considerations for fit and sizing, placing prints and graphics, and tips to find tees that match your unique festival style.
Let’s start with what’s hot right now in the world of women’s festival tees!
Top 5 Women’s Festival T-Shirt Styles and Trends
Music festivals are the perfect place to showcase your style. And fortunately, festival t-shirt trends offer endless options to do just that!
Crop tops are still going strong, allowing you to beat the heat and show off just a peek of midriff. Cropped festival tees range from boxy cropped shapes with a raw hem to more tailored tie-front cropped styles. Go for a bold cut-out tee or a fun retro band graphic in a crop silhouette. Pair it with high-waisted shorts or leggings to keep you covered during activities.
Oversized tees are festival staples, offering relaxed comfort for all-day wear. For a perfectly slouchy festival-ready look, simply size up 1-2 sizes. An oversized tee pairs effortlessly with leggings for a rather professional grunge-inspired outfit. Look for soft fabrics, band tees, or motivational sayings.
Tank tops allow you to beat the heat in style. With so many options – from basic tanks to intricate racerback tops – you can showcase your festival vibe. A fitted or cropped tank shows off your shape while still keeping cool. Add chic embellishments like side cut-outs or lace-up backs. Pair with denim shorts or layer under an unbuttoned flannel.
You can’t go to a music festival without some tie dye in the mix! Tie dye adds a perfect bohemian vibe in any silhouette from oversized to fitted. Go for a classic swirl design or find random psychedelic patterns. Pair it with cutoffs and a flower crown. Pro tip: the more worn and faded it looks, the cooler.
Make a statement with fun graphic prints. Showcase your favorite artists, foodie obsessions, activism causes or any motif that inspires you! Vintage band tee styles are so in right now. Look for concert posters, album covers, or even tour dates on the back. Metallic foil prints add shine under the sun.
How to Choose the Best Fabric for Women’s Festival T-Shirts
The fabric of your festival tee makes all the difference in keeping comfortable in the elements all day. Certain fabrics work better in certain climates so consider the weather at your destination festival.
Cotton is hands down the best fabric for festival tees. Nothing beats cotton for softness, breathability and durability. Aim for 100% cotton, rather than cotton blends which tend to pill with wear and washing. Cotton keeps you cool in the heat but also layers well over tanks when the temperature drops at night.
Modal or rayon fabrics have a beautiful soft, lightweight drape that keeps you cool in hot weather. However, they lack cotton’s durability. Look for blended modal fabrics which reduce shrinkage. And avoid 100% rayon, which pills very easily.
For active festivals with lots of movement or extreme heat, performance fabrics really shine. Synthetic moisture-wicking polyester or poly-cotton blends will keep you cool, dry and chafe-free as you dance. Look for mesh paneling under the arms, down the sides, or down the back for added ventilation.
Linen festival tees offer a stylish, luxe look but the higher price tag matches the higher maintenance. Linen is breathable, lightweight, and gets even softer over time. But it wrinkles easily. Linen-cotton blends add durability with less wrinkling. Just keep linen away from moisture as it loses structure when wet.
Some fabrics to avoid for festival wear:
- Cheap 100% cotton with a rough, scratchy hand that will irritate skin, especially when damp
- Silk, satin or shiny poly fabrics that show every sweat stain
- Sheer, thin fabrics that won’t provide enough sun protection or coverage for active days outdoors.
Considerations for Fit, Sizing, and Length
Nailing the fit of your festival tee ensures all-day comfort as you dance, climb and hike your way through the festival grounds. Here are some top tips:
The number one rule is a relaxed but flattering cut. Avoid anything too tight that restricts movement and can ride up. Look for a comfortable amount of room through the bust, shoulders and waist.
Size up! Sizing up by 1 or even 2 sizes gives a perfectly slouchy oversized festival vibe. It leaves room to layer over tanks and bodysuits on cooler nights. But don’t drown in a tent-like oversized tee either.
Pay attention to length. Cropped lengths are on trend but make sure they fully cover your torso, hitting just above the belly button rather than too short. Longer lengths allow for easy untucked wear and give more styling versatility.
Look for tee fabrics substantial enough to potentially go braless, with enough structure and opacity in the bust area. Or simply size up for a smoother drape if going sans bra.
Always try festival tees on rather than guessing at sizes. Online size charts vary so widely! Move around and lift your arms to ensure the top doesn’t restrict movement or ride up. Testing with layered tanks is ideal too.
If planning on layering over tanks and bodysuits, try on all the layers together. Bulky layered looks sound great in theory but can get uncomfortably hot at summer festivals.
Finding the Perfect Graphic, Text, and Placement
The graphics and text prints on a festival tee really allow you to express your vibe. From band logos to foodie images to inspiring quotes, the options are endless! Here are some top tips for choosing the perfect print:
Graphic size is a personal choice. Small logos and images fit right in at any festival. But also consider making a bolder statement with a larger front and center graphic. Just balance out the graphic size with the length – cropped tees showcase bold prints nicely.
Graphic location on festival tees is wide open. While traditional chest prints remain popular, why not switch it up? Place graphic images on the back, the sleeves, down the sides, or go for an artistic all-over print.
Look for clever, original graphics with fun jokes, unique designs or obscure references that show off your quirky personality. Show your indie music knowledge with band images even mega-fans would have trouble recognizing!
Tee shirts with text can place inspiring phrases and mantras anywhere from the chest to down the sleeve. Just avoid a cluttered look with too much text in too many fonts. Simplicity is key.
If opting for text prints, make sure the font is large enough and clear enough to read at a glance. Upping the scale and going for bold fonts or all-caps makes a statement.
Consider meaningful phrases or quotes for text tees. Keep them short, powerful, and positive. Or add your own personalized text with inside jokes from your crew.
For music festivals, album cover and vintage concert poster graphics make fantastic prints. Go for deep cuts and b-sides only true fans know! Just be sure to use official licensed artwork.
While festivals encourage wild attire, still aim for graphics you’d also feel comfortable wearing in public outside the event. Gecko prints and glitter galore? Maybe leave those back at camp.
Double check graphic tees use permanent commercial inks that won’t bleed when damp or fade under the blazing sun and tents lights. Handmade and tie-dyed tees may be more prone to damage.
More Tips and Tricks for Choosing Festival Tees
Finding your festival style takes a bit of planning and prep. Use these pro tips to choose the perfect tees:
Pack 2-3 festival tee options so you can switch up your style day-to-day. Coordinate the colors and styles with your shorts, skirts, and accessories too.
Prepare for changing weather by packing lightweight breathable tees along with warmer layering options like pullovers. Check the festival weather right before packing.
Wear in new graphic tees a few times before the big day to soften them up. Brand new tees can be scratchy and stiff before a few washes preshrink the fabric.
Toss some tanks and lightweight cardigans in your bag for layering when temps drop at night. Having options keeps you comfy no matter what the weather throws your way.
For a festival like Burning Man, really express your creative side through bold, unique statement shirts that show off your quirky spirit. Pack shirts you won’t mind trashing by festivals end.
Save your most flattering, nice-quality tees for wearing post-festival instead of ruining them out on the dusty fields. Be okay with shirts getting wrecked and sweat-soaked beyond repair – it’s part of the experience!
Get crafty with DIY shirt customization like ironing on patches or stenciling designs with fabric paint. Add some beaded necklaces as frills across cut-off tees. The options are endless!
Don’t forget to buy a quality tee from the official festival merch booths. It directly supports the event producers and makes a meaningful festy souvenir.
Snap some outfit pics in your fave festival looks to memorialize the fun. Show off those bold graphics and funky prints!
Refer to clothing tags for proper care instructions to keep shirts looking their best. Hand wash or gentle machine wash. Avoid high heat. Hang dry vintage tees instead of tumble drying.
How to Choose Women’s Festival T-Shirts for Your Style
One of the best parts of festival season is the chance to really express your personal style. When choosing festival-worthy tops, consider your own unique fashion vibe:
Rocker chick vibes call for graphic band tees, fishnets, leather jackets and dark denim. Add some edge with studs, mesh cutouts, or strategically placed shreds. Bright pops of color like neon greens or hot pinks look awesome against black.
Boho babes stick to their earthy roots with off-the-shoulder peasant tops, crochet accents, and muted jewel tones. Look for beautifully mismatched patterns in lace or gauzy fabrics. And don’t forget the flower crown!
Athleisure all-stars choose super soft performance tees made of technical moisture-wicking fabrics. Breathable mesh paneling and UV-protective fabrics are a must for active Festies. Stretchy shirts allow free movement for yoga or dancing.
Preppy princesses polish up their festival look by pairing the picnic blanket-perfect pastel tee with crisp white tennis skirts and rainbow colored knee high socks. Look for fun details like embroidered crests, contrasting collars, or varsity stripes.
Channel your inner all-American with classic red, white and blue motif tees featuring retro food and beer logos. Folk festivals are the perfect places for rocking relaxed Americana-inspired looks with distressed denim, bandanas, and beat-up cowboy boots.
Hippie chick styles keep the 70s flower child spirit alive. Pair your bohemian peasant blouses with flared jeans or maxi skirts. Psychedelic prints, paisley designs, and earthy jewel tones evoke the relaxed vibe of the era. Just add an air of floral incense, and groovy!
Girly girls stick to delicate feminine details like fluttery chiffon sleeves, crochet insets, or lace trim. Pretty pastel tanks and tees are adorned with floral designs, butterflies and subtle ruffle accents. A delicate daisy crown completes the darling look.
Artsy free spirits show off your inner art major with abstract graphic prints, splatter-paint inspired designs, and eccentric silhouettes. Wide leg pants or overalls balance out a cropped graphic tee. And colorful beaded bracelets finish the eclectic look.
Add some celebration sparkle with glam festival looks. Sequins, metallic fabrics, and iridescent finishes shine bright day or night. Bold jewel-toned prints pop against shimmery pastel tanks and tees. Top it off with fun reflective sunglasses and day-to-night glam is complete.
Neutrals lovers keep it simple with soft shades of white, gray, tan and black. Look for interest in the details – a crochet inset, raw edge hem or drapey modal jersey. Pair with pops of color in your accessories for the perfect neutral palette.
FAQs and Answers About Women’s Festival T-Shirts
Still have some burning questions about choosing the perfect festival tee? Here are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions:
Q: What is the best material for a festival t-shirt?
A: Hands down, 100% cotton is the ideal fabric for festival tee shirts. Cotton is soft, breathable, durable and holds color beautifully. Modal blends add softness while poly-cotton blends wick moisture away from your skin.
Q: How should a festival t-shirt fit?
A: Look for a relaxed but flattering fit through the shoulders, bust and waist. Size up for a perfectly roomy look. Move your arms to test mobility. Tight tops will ride up uncomfortably while dancing for hours on end.
Q: Which is better, cropped or oversized festival tee?
A: It depends on your personal style and festival scene. Cropped tees show some midriff and look cute with high waisted shorts. Oversized tees offer more coverage and easily layer over tanks or bodysuits when temperatures drop at night.
Q: How do I style graphic prints versus text prints?
A: Graphic prints make great stand-alone statement pieces and tend to dominate the tee. Simple shorts or leggings balance them out. Text prints look best layered over plain complementary tees to avoid looking too busy or cluttered.
Q: Can I wear a festival t-shirt casually outside a festival?
A: Absolutely! While you can wear wild and outrageous shirts at the actual festival, most are created with everyday wear in mind too. Stick to simple, neutral colors with versatile graphics. Less is more for post-festival looks.
Q: What fabrics provide sun protection?
A: Darker colors and tighter weave 100% cotton offer the most sun protection. Technical performance fabrics with UV-blocking add sun protection. Check clothing tags for official UPF ratings to quantify protection levels.
Q: How do I wash my festival tees?
A: Wash inside-out in cold water on a gentle cycle. Avoid high heat tumble drying which can damage graphics – air dry instead. If hand-washing, use gentle laundry detergent and lay flat to dry. No bleach!
Q: Can I wear a festival tee more than once without washing?
A: It’s best to wash cotton shirts after each full day’s wear, especially in hot sweaty festival conditions. For multi-day festivals, pack enough shirts to rotate outfits. If re-wearing is essential, spot clean stains and let air dry.
Q: What’s better, official merch or independent tees?
A: Official merch directly gives back to the musicians and events themselves. But independent designs offer unique looks. For the best of both, pack some of each! Merch booths are known to sell out so shop early.
The Hunt for the Perfect Festival Tee Continues!
Finding that perfect festival t-shirt – stylish, comfortable, and uniquely you – might take a bit of pre-planning. But it’s an essential part of the whole experience. With so many trends to choose from, focus on fabrics, fits and graphics that express your personal style.
Consider details like print placement, length, and layering versatility. Test potential picks for unrestricted movement on the dancing fields. And don’t forget the sun protection! With your perfect festival tee packed and ready to go, you can focus on the music, art, and festivities knowing your comfort is covered.
For even more tips on building your ideal festival outfit head to head, check out our blog. And explore our wide selection of festival-ready women’s tees to start shopping today! Now…what vibe will your perfect festy tee give off this season? Bohemian babe? Rocker chick? Free-spirited hippie? Let your festival fashion reflect the real you.