2026 Festival Fashion Trends

Sarah Foxton

18 May, 2026 / 5 mins read time

We all know the stress and panic of not being able to find the festival outfit, with clothes strewn on the floor and no clear thoughts. You shout, “I have nothing to wear”, despite a wardrobe stuffed full of every item of clothing possible. So don’t leave festival outfit planning to the last minute. Find cool, pre‑loved festival clothing at Oxfam that feels unique and helps you stand out from the crowd.

Photo: Isabella Mendes via Pexels

People in the middle of a music festival crowd dancing. The person is wearing a hat and a crochet top.

You rock up to a UK festival with the age‑old essentials: wellies, sequins, fake fur and, most importantly, waterproof jackets. But what’s new for 2026? Here’s our pick of 2026 festival fashion trends and how you can style them by shopping second-hand at Oxfam.

Boho revival: 2026 festival fashion trend

Bohemian style is always in. The loose, unstructured, free‑flowing nature of it and the undone, worn‑in look are something that cannot be replicated in brand-new clothes. It takes time to wear these things in and curate those special finds.

After emerging in the early 2000s, boho is back for 2026. Proof that trends always come full circle in festival fashion.

It is a fusion of garments, patterns and textures that looks its best when it is all second-hand. With no single “must‑have” piece, boho is easy to source second‑hand, and you likely already own pieces that fit this trend.

But there is a new era of boho, so how is this showing up in festival season clothing?

Think ponchos, lace skirts, loose linen cinched with a worn-in leather belt, pairing silk garments with suede, fringe accessories, and chic layering.

A lightweight, patterned silk scarf is an easy way to elevate the look. Try tying it around your bag, wearing it as a top, in your hair or around your waist.

Fairycore and mermaidcore festival fashion

It sounds just like it looks. Think all the colours, shiny materials, glitter and delicate details.

Look out for fully sequined tops, crochet skullcaps, tiered tops and skirts, crochet shawls and flowing midi skirts. Mermaidcore leans into blues, silks, pearls and sheer layers, while fairycore favours soft pastels, ruffles, crochet and earthy textures.

A fantastic way to get on board with this trend is DIY and upcycling. Find some beads and sequins in your local Oxfam shop and a t-shirt or skirt from your wardrobe, and try it out! If you want to lean into the costume realm, don’t hesitate to add those fairy wings!

Photo: Jacob Sierra via Pexels

A person wearing a red crochet top and skirt with metallic discs in it with a tropical background.

2016 core: Throwback fashion

People are craving nostalgia, and this time, it’s Gen Z reminiscing. Lace slip dresses are back, and so are the flower crowns.

Much of this aesthetic is still in circulation, so if you want to dip your toe back into the 2016 era, it has never been easier. So, what does that mean for festival fashion?

Imagine Lean on by Major Lazer playing as heavy contrast filters flood social media. Fashion was rapidly evolving as we moved into the late 2010s. Popular items were adidas ANYTHING, distressed denim, off-the-shoulder Bardot tops and chokers… they were the uniform.

But how can we incorporate this trend into festival fashion?

Think distressed denim hotpants, frayed hem tank tops, lace-up anything (especially gladiator sandals), bomber jackets, chokers, suede fringed boots and bags, topped off with a flannel shirt.

I’m sure some of you are shrieking at the thought of these things being back in, but they have been and continue to be. You might think of the early 2000s as dresses over trousers, Heelys, metallic fabrics, shiny blacks, skate punk, silver accents, and plenty of straps and buckles.

Different Y2K styles have emerged again with an emphasis on low-rise, cargo ¾ lengths and layering of tops, and more recently, sporty athleisurewear. Think adidas capris (3/4 lengths), vintage sports zip-up jackets, slogan t-shirts and Juicy Couture tracksuits.

It is hard to head to a UK festival and not see the crowds littered with vintage adidas zip jackets, and this year won’t be any different. So, what do we think we can predict for this year? Baggy ¾ length shorts, adidas track tops, vintage surf brand jumpers for those cold evenings, Kangol beret hats/baker boy hats and Afghan gilets. The Oxfam online shop is full of these gems.

We put together this Kate Moss-inspired look, all from items on the Oxfam online shop.

All items sourced from the Oxfam Online Shop.

Gold glitter mini dress, a black leather jacket, a black leather belt, black wellies and a black studded bag.

Edgy minimalism for UK festivals

You want to be stylish, but minimalist? There’s something very off‑duty‑model about edgy minimalism. The chic “lack of trying” look and the simplicity make the details matter.

The brilliance of this trend is its durability at muddy festivals: your leather boots can be wiped clean, your jacket keeps you warm, and oversized fits keep you comfortable and dancing-ready.

Depending on your personal style, you can lean into the oversized T-shirts, mini shorts, chunky black boots and a large leather jacket, or opt for a sheer maxi dress with chunky belts and big “bug-like” sunglasses.

Utility belt bags have been taking this trend by storm. Practicality with multiple pockets and a fun addition to a simple outfit. Some keywords to source this look might be: asymmetrical, big sunglasses, leather, tailored, oversized, distressed, basics, grunge, 90’s minimalist.

Try looking for some tailored, elevated basics and re-imagine the items in your wardrobe. It’s a go‑to festival style for those prioritising comfort, durability and repeat wear.

Country and Western

A variation of this trend is here every year. This slow-burning trend started with “cowboy-core” and is now a perennial favourite within festival fashion. With the rise of country music has come the rise of country and western influences within fashion.

Suede and fringe are going nowhere. This year looks like an even bigger rise in suede, fringe jackets, straw cowboy hats and boots, which are now classified by many as a staple.

Given the broad spectrum of this trend, here are a few key styles and looks to keep an eye out for. You might see people elevating their looks with chunky western belts, double denim, and faux cow/pony hide accessories. Bohemian and Country styles interlink so strongly that finding these things in your wardrobe to blend together has never been easier.

The colour turquoise is predicted to be the colour of the summer, a perfect way to blend trending fashion forecasts with the timeless country classics. Find it in jewellery, belt accents, suede vests and fringed bags.

If you’re looking for a twist on this trend, try going for deeper colours, more genuine leathers, suede vests, studded items like bags, belts and shoes, with silver detailing and fringe cowboy boots.

The Oxfam online shop boasts incredible genuine leather pieces, suede garments, western accessories, waistcoats and magnificent cowboy boots.

Photo: Apex via Pexels

A person wearing an orange mini dress with a black cowboy hat and black fringed cowboy boots.

Start building your 2026 festival fashion wardrobe today. Discover second‑hand festival outfits, vintage staples and conscious fashion finds on the Oxfam Online Shop.

Why shop second-hand festival fashion at Oxfam?

Shopping pre-loved contributes to a circular society, where high-quality, statement, and unique pieces live on. Whether you’re looking for the festival essentials or a new wildcard for your outfit, your local Oxfam shop and the Oxfam online shop have everything you need.

If you’re worried about being last-minute, Oxfam has shops at many UK Festivals, so why not check them out and share your best festival finds on social media with the tag #FoundInOxfam