From Lizzo to Kendrick Lamar, 7 Trends Everyone Wore to NYC's Biggest Festival

Between Coachella and Stagecoach, the West Coast tends to get all the music festival buzz, but the East Coast shouldn't be overlooked. Here in New York, the Governors Ball Music Festival is one of the city's biggest and most iconic festivals. Last weekend, droves of music fans, many of them Gen Z, descended on Flushing Meadows for a weekend of hip-hop, pop, indie, and electronic music from some of the most beloved artists in the game right now. The lineup was anchored by heavy hitters like Kendrick Lamar, Lizzo, Lil Nas X, and Haim and peppered with emerging names like Ice Spice and Suki Waterhouse, proving that New Yorkers don't have to travel across the country to enjoy an epic weekend of live music. 

music-festival-fashion-trends-307769-1686773526583-image

(Image credit: Governors Ball)

WHO: Lil Nas X; Suki Waterhouse; Sabrina Claudio; Lizzo; Ice Spice (clockwise from top left)

With festival season in full swing, we're breaking down the fashion trends we spotted at the Governors Ball in New York City. Keep scrolling to discover the seven trends we saw.

Crochet

music-festival-fashion-trends-307769-1686775609563-image

(Image credit: @amaka.hamelijnck)

Crochet looks aren't just for vacation dressing. Rather, the woven pieces are peak festival attire, too. Festival style is often rooted in bohemian influences, which makes free-spirited crochet feel perfect for the occasion. This year, festival-goers took a more pared-back approach by wearing more minimalistic and elevated crochet pieces.

Cowboy Boots

music-festival-fashion-trends-307769-1686775166845-main

(Image credit: @kitkeenan)

From Coachella to the Governors Ball, you'll find cowboy boots at nearly every music festival you visit. Western motifs feel like the right choice when heading to a festival's grassy stomping ground. New Yorkers, however, eschewed the boots' Southern roots in favor of edgier styling.

Sheer

music-festival-fashion-trends-307769-1686775759012-image

(Image credit: @lucyraemcfadin)

Music festivals are the perfect excuse to test-drive a riskier trend like sheer clothing. Whether it involved a lace dress, chiffon top, or gauzy sheer skirt, see-through fabrics were aplenty at the Governors Ball this year.

Parachute Pants

music-festival-fashion-trends-307769-1686775553830-image

(Image credit: @champagnemani)

There aren't a ton of current trends that offer comfort without sacrificing a cool aura, but parachute pants are definitely one of them. Paired with a tiny top and funky sneakers, these utility-inspired pants were spotted all over festival grounds. 

It Kicks

music-festival-fashion-trends-307769-1686775305318-image

(Image credit: @sukiwaterhouse)

This season's It sneakers—Onitsuka Tiger, Adidas Sambas, and New Balance 550s—were especially popular among performers and festival-goers this year. 

Corsets

music-festival-fashion-trends-307769-1686775826010-image

(Image credit: @lefevrediary)

Lingerie-inspired looks have long been popular at music festivals, and this year's Governors Ball was no exception. Corsets and bustier tops ranked high on our list of most-spotted trends. 

Y2K Shades

music-festival-fashion-trends-307769-1686775225055-image

(Image credit: @laurenwolfe)

It should come as no surprise that a crowd comprised mainly of Gen Z favored Y2K trends. Wraparound sunglasses were easily the top throwback trend. We spotted nearly every other person wearing a pair. 

Next: You're Done: 11 Summer Staples I'm Tired Of and Their Fresher Alternatives

Senior Editor

Anna is an NYC-based senior fashion editor who has been a member of the Who What Wear team for over seven years, having begun her career in L.A. at brands like Michael Kors and A.L.C. As an editor, she has earned a reputation for her coverage of breaking trends, emerging brands, luxury shopping curations, fashion features, and more. Anna has penned a number Who What Wear cover interviews, including Megan Fox, Julia Garner, and Lilly Collins. She also leads the site’s emerging travel vertical that highlights all things travel and lifestyle through a fashion-person lens.