At Gov Ball 2025, Musicians Wore Whatever Felt Like an Ode to New York’s Bold Spirit

Now over a decade in, Governors Ball has solidified its place as one of New York’s most beloved music festivals. Since its debut in 2011, the multi-day event (held in Flushing Meadows Corona Park, Queens) has grown into a cultural staple, drawing massive crowds and a wide-ranging lineup that spans chart-toppers to indie idols. This year’s festival, which took place June 6 to 8, featured major headliners like Tyler, the Creator, Olivia Rodrigo, and Hozier, alongside rising and alt-leaning acts such as Role Model, The Japanese House, and Car Seat Headrest. The lineup stirred excitement across social media, and was enough to draw a crowd of exciting fans despite the unpredictable weather.

But beyond the music, Gov Ball has become a barometer for New York’s own unique brand of festival fashion, one rooted less in theatrics and more in the effortless, lived-in cool of the city itself. Unlike more costume-centric destinations like Coachella, Gov Ball reflects something grittier and more grounded. Festival fashion here isn’t about desert glam or curated Instagram moments. It’s about showing up for the city, in the city. There was an undeniable urban nonchalance to how both artists and attendees dressed. This year, that spirit came through stronger than ever.

More and more, the fashion conversation puts its focus on the stage. Whether at festival performances or on solo tours, artists' on-stage outfits have become almost as anticipated as their setlists. Concert fashion is now its own kind of spectacle, with fans eager to see how their favorite performers dress. This year’s Governors Ball leaned into a more casual vibe—but it was far from disappointing. In fact, it revealed what festival fashion is really about: a true reflection of the music and the city that hosts it.

Was Gov Ball 2025 an ode to New York? It certainly looked like it. Olivia Rodrigo, one of the most anticipated artists of the weekend, performed the second half of her set in a New York City tee and leather mini-shorts—an edgy but simple nod to the city’s energy. She also showed her love for the city that never sleeps, flashing her bedazzled 'I LOVE NY' bralette during the performance of her All-American Bitch hit.

Tyla also looked more New York than ever in a cropped white tee tied with silver chains and crosses, the miniest camo shorts with fur lining, and chunky knee-high combat boots—a chaotic-cool blend of grit and glam that matched the city’s unpredictable vibe. Benson Boone, usually known for glittery jumpsuits and theatrical flair, kept things grounded this time. He still threw a backflip mid-set, but his look—moto jacket, white tank, and light-wash jeans—felt intentionally pared down, embracing a more nonchalant, streetwise energy. 

Clairo, on the other hand, leaned into a moody romance with a sheer black floral mini dress layered over a black bra and mini shorts, topped off with her signature over-the-ear headphones. Raye embraced a similar sense of occasion in a halter-neck black gown, her softly curled bob channeling a 1920s New York elegance. It was referential, but still rooted in the now. Hozier also dressed up, but in his own undone way: a suit shirt left untucked beneath a loose blazer gave his emotional set a sense of laid-back formality. Even those who ditched the classic tee still captured the festival’s carefree essence, whether through subtle nods to the city or by channeling the raw, layered energy of the urban jungle.

The Wallows boys showed up in perfectly fitted T-shirts and jeans that are simple, sharp, and unmistakably cool. Other indie artists also understood the unspoken uniform, opting for looks that felt cool, collected, and unmistakably lived-in. Integral to the fabric of any festival, these artists set the tone, serenading crowds as fans wait for their favorite headliners. Role Model nailed the look in a cropped red tee, worn-in jeans, and a weathered cap that perfectly captured that gritty, downtown energy.

Similarly, for attendees, fashion at Gov Ball 2025 wasn’t about being flashy; it was about timelessness, confidence, and letting the city’s energy do the rest. It wasn’t about impressing the internet, either. It was about showing up in clothes that made sense for New York. Whether influenced by the unpredictable rain or simply the city’s creative pulse, there was a shift toward ease, authenticity, and a subtle boast that only NYC can inspire.

In some ways, this stripped-down approach set a new tone for Gov Ball attire. The styling didn’t need to try too hard because the backdrop of the city already says it all. New York showed up in full force (rain or not!) and the music and energy were unmistakable. This year’s Governors Ball didn’t just sound like New York, it dressed like it too.