How I DIY’d My Bonnaroo 2024 Festival Outfit (And What I’d Do Differently)
I wasn’t about to wear a $400 outfit into Tennessee mud. But I also refuse to look boring.
So instead of ordering something “festival core” and hoping for the best, I decided to build my own look for Bonnaroo 2024 — using cheap base pieces and a chaotic amount of iron-on patches.
And somehow… it became one of my favorite outfits I’ve ever worn.
The Base Pieces
Let’s be honest: Bonnaroo is not Coachella. Things get dusty. Sweaty. Questionable. You sit on grass. You spill drinks. You walk MILES (!!!)
So I intentionally started with pieces I would not cry over.
Camo mini skirt (SHEIN — nothing precious)
Oversized denim jacket I had bought on sale from a boutique that was closing
Brown boots I didn’t mind scuffing
Basic tops that could survive heat + dirt (The corset was Fashion Nova that I already owned + had worn to multiple concerts before — styled differently, of course)
The goal wasn’t luxury. The goal was impact without attachment.
The Patch Idea
I ordered random iron-on patch packs from Etsy and Amazon — stars, dice, little graphics, random phrases, nostalgic 2000s vibes. I also pulled together a mix of pins I’d collected over time — some gifted at past festivals, some thrifted, some brand new. It made the whole thing feel less like a costume and more like a timeline.
I laid everything out on my living room floor like a middle school art project and started playing with placement. There was no real blueprint. Just instinct. I wanted it to feel collected — like something that had been built over time — not overly symmetrical or perfectly spaced. Once I liked the layout, I ironed them on myself.
At the time, I thought I was a genius.
What I’d Do Differently (Hot Tip)
Iron-on patches alone are not enough. A few sets in + a lot of walking later, some were starting to lift at the edges. Not catastrophic — but enough to make me side-eye my craftsmanship.
If I did this again (which I probably will), here’s what I’d change:
Apply E6000 adhesive first
Press patch down firmly
Then use heat to seal
Let cure overnight with weight on top
Festival heat + movement + humidity is not gentle on DIY fashion. Learn from me.
Why It Became One of My Favorite Looks
Even though it was technically made from inexpensive pieces, it didn’t feel cheap. It felt intentional. It felt like mine. And let’s just say… by the end of the weekend it had enough compliments to start a rivalry between my patch skirt and my boyfriend’s mustache. We kept unofficial score.
There’s something about building an outfit instead of buying it that shifts your relationship to it. You’re not just wearing it — you constructed it.
And in golden hour, walking past the Ferris wheel, with the dust in the air and the sky turning warm — it looked exactly how I imagined it: Effortless. A little rebellious. A little chaotic. Personal.
The Real Festival Formula
If you’re building your own festival outfit, here’s what I’d recommend:
Start with a base you don’t emotionally value
Add something customized (patches, paint, studs, chain detailing)
Wear boots you can actually walk in
Assume everything will get ruined
Prioritize comfort over aesthetic — then build aesthetic on top
The secret isn’t expensive pieces. It’s cohesion and confidence.
Would I Wear SHEIN Again?
For festivals like Bonnaroo? Absolutely. For everyday life? No.
There’s a difference between event-specific clothing that’s meant to be temporary and pieces I want long-term. This was strategic chaos, not fast fashion as a lifestyle.
Final Thoughts
This outfit started as a “let’s see what happens” experiment. It turned into something I will look back on and think — that was fun.
And honestly, I love that it wasn’t perfect. The peeling patches that I re-attached with safety pins. The dust. The scuffed boots. That’s what made it feel real.
If I ever rebuild this skirt, you already know it’s getting the full adhesive treatment.And probably even more patches.
SHEIN Bikini + Oversized Windbreaker Pants
Paired with higher-end accessories
Shop the Post
