Between Coachella and Stagecoach, the West Coast tends to get all the buzz for the music festival scene, but the East Coast is certainly not to be overlooked. Here in New York, Governors Ball is one of the city’s biggest festivals, and definitely its most iconic. Last weekend, droves of New Yorkers, heavily from 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.
WHO: Lil Nas X; Suki Waterhouse; Sabrina Claudio; Lizzo; Ice Spice (clockwise from top left)
Now that festival season is in full swing, we’re breaking down the fashiontrends we spotted all over at Governors Ball in NYC. Ahead, discover the seven trends we spotted all over the festival this year.
Crochet looks aren’t just for vacation dressing, the woven pieces are peak festival attire, too. So much of festival style is rooted in bohemian influences, which makes free-spirited crochet feel perfect for the occasion. This year, festival goers are taking a more pared-back approach with more minimalistic and elevated crochet pieces.
Another item you’ll find at every festival from Coachella to Governors Ball is cowboy boots. Western motifs just feel right when you’re heading to a festival’s grassy stomping grounds. New Yorkers eschewed the boots’ southern roots in favor of edgier styling, though.
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 Gov Ball this year.
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, the festival grounds were just littered with these utility pants.
The It sneakers of the moment including Onitsuka Tiger, Adidas Sambas, and New Balance 550s were especially popular among festival goers and performers alike this year.
Lingerie-inspired looks have long been a festival fan favorite and 2023 Gov Ball was no different, with corset and bustier tops ranking high on our list of most-spotted trends.
The crowd was comprised largely of Gen Zers, after all, so it should come as no surprise that Y2K trends were aplenty. Wraparound sunglasses were easily the top throwback trend and we noticed nearly every other person wearing a pair.
