What to Wear to When We Were Young. October Guide (Las Vegas)

What to wear to When We Were Young: Las Vegas sits at 26°C (79°F) by day and 14°C (57°F) at night in October, on arena grounds, with a low chance of rain. That means a light base with one warm layer you can carry, cushioned trainers or a low boot, and a bag small enough for the gate rules. The crowd leans punk, alt and goth, so anything that survives the day reads as right.

Typical daytime high	26°C (79°F)
Typical night low	14°C (57°F)
Day–night swing	12°C (22°F)
Rain risk	Low
Ground	Concrete and gravel
Sun exposure	High, little natural shade

Everything below follows from those numbers.

What to wear, look by look

Look 01

DIY Punk Budget-friendly

Cut it, safety-pin it, wear it three days running.

It speaks the same language as the line-up (punk and alt), so you read as part of the crowd rather than a visitor.

Topscropped or cut-up tee shop
Shortstartan trousers or ripped denim shop
Bootslace-up boots shop
Jewellerychain belt and chokers shop
Hairtemporary colour spray shop
Jacketsstudded leather jacket shop

Satin corset top Premium

Satin corset top Premium

$74.51

sample

Cargo parachute trousers Premium

Cargo parachute trousers Premium

$117.71

sample

Wellington boots

Wellington boots

$66.95

sample

Body chain

Body chain

$45.35

sample

Look 02

Indie Sleaze Budget-friendly

2008 flash photography energy: leather, skinny denim, smudged liner.

It speaks the same language as the line-up (alt), so you read as part of the crowd rather than a visitor. At 26°C (79°F) keep it to the lightest fabrics in this look and skip the heavy layer.

Jacketscropped leather jacket shop
Topsvintage band or slogan tee shop
Shortsskinny or straight black jeans shop
Sneakersworn-in high-tops shop
Sunglasseswayfarers shop
Makeupsmudge-proof black liner shop

Grid fleece half-zip Premium

Grid fleece half-zip Premium

$178.19

sample

Crochet halter top

Crochet halter top

$53.99

sample

Cargo parachute trousers Premium

Cargo parachute trousers Premium

$117.71

sample

Canvas high-tops Premium

Canvas high-tops Premium

$96.11

sample

Look 03

Corset Drama Investment piece

Structured top, soft bottom. The silhouette that owns every front row.

It speaks the same language as the line-up (goth and y2k), so you read as part of the crowd rather than a visitor.

Topscorset or bustier shop
Shortstulle skirt or wide cargos shop
Bootslace-up platform boots shop
Jewellerylayered chokers shop
Makeupgraphic liner shop
Bagsmini shoulder bag shop

Crochet halter top

Crochet halter top

$53.99

sample

Cargo parachute trousers Premium

Cargo parachute trousers Premium

$117.71

sample

Wellington boots

Wellington boots

$66.95

sample

Body chain

Body chain

$45.35

sample

Look 04

Dark Romantic Mid-range

Lace, leather and a parasol. Black in 30°C is a lifestyle, not a mistake.

It speaks the same language as the line-up (goth), so you read as part of the crowd rather than a visitor.

Dresseslace or mesh maxi shop
Jacketslongline black coat or shrug shop
Bootsplatform boots shop
Jewellerysilver crosses and chokers shop
Makeupmatte black lip and liner shop
Hatswide-brim hat or veil shop

Crochet maxi dress

Crochet maxi dress

$88.55

sample

Grid fleece half-zip Premium

Grid fleece half-zip Premium

$178.19

sample

Wellington boots

Wellington boots

$66.95

sample

Silver choker Premium

Silver choker Premium

$65.87

sample

Look 05

Y2K Revival Budget-friendly

Low-rise, baby tee, butterfly clips. 2003 with better sunscreen.

It speaks the same language as the line-up (y2k), so you read as part of the crowd rather than a visitor.

Topsbaby tee or halter top shop
Shortslow-rise cargo or micro mini shop
Sneakerschunky retro trainers shop
Sunglassestiny tinted shield sunglasses shop
Hairbutterfly clips and mini braids shop
Bagsbaguette shoulder bag shop

Crochet halter top

Crochet halter top

$53.99

sample

Cargo parachute trousers Premium

Cargo parachute trousers Premium

$117.71

sample

Canvas high-tops Premium

Canvas high-tops Premium

$96.11

sample

Sport wraparound shades Premium

Sport wraparound shades Premium

$182.51

sample

Look 06

Field Grunge Budget-friendly

Glastonbury logic: layers you can trash, boots you can hose down.

It speaks the same language as the line-up (alt), so you read as part of the crowd rather than a visitor. At 26°C (79°F) keep it to the lightest fabrics in this look and skip the heavy layer.

Topsband tee shop
Jacketsoversized flannel or denim jacket shop
Shortsshorts over thermal leggings shop
Bootsrain or combat boots shop
Hatsbucket hat shop
Rainpackable rain shell shop

Crochet halter top

Crochet halter top

$53.99

sample

Grid fleece half-zip Premium

Grid fleece half-zip Premium

$178.19

sample

Cargo parachute trousers Premium

Cargo parachute trousers Premium

$117.71

sample

Wellington boots

Wellington boots

$66.95

sample

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Footwear

Best option here: Cushioned trainers or a low boot. You are on concrete for ten hours.

Avoid: brand-new shoes, heels, and anything you have not walked 10 kilometres in.

You will walk between 15.000 and 30.000 steps a day at a festival of this size. Footwear is the only part of a festival outfit that can genuinely end your weekend, so it is the one place to spend money and break things in beforehand.

Bag, glitter and gate rules

Bag size. Most festivals of this size cap bags at roughly A4 or require a clear bag at the main stages. A belt bag plus a small crossbody clears almost every policy. Check the official rules before you buy anything bigger.
Chains and studs. Long chains, spikes and metal-heavy accessories are refused at some gates. If a piece is central to the look, have a backup.
Glitter. Biodegradable only at a growing number of festivals; plastic glitter is banned outright at several. It is also, practically, the hardest thing to remove from a tent.
No camping. You are travelling in and out each day, so the outfit has to survive public transport at both ends, and a cloakroom is not guaranteed.

The packing checklist

Two tops per day (one gets ruined)
One layer for the night
Earplugs
Refillable water bottle
Portable charger
Sun cream or SPF stick
Baby wipes
A bag with a zip

What not to wear

Heels of any kind. Grass, gravel and crowd crush. Platform boots give the height with a surface area that works.
Brand-new shoes. Ten hours on concrete in unbroken-in soles is the most reliable way to leave early.
Your good bag. Beer, mud, being sat on. Take the one you would not mind losing, with a zip.

FAQ

Start with the weather: 26°C (79°F) by day, 14°C (57°F) at night, low rain risk, on arena grounds. That points to a light base with one warm layer you can carry, plus broken-in trainers or boots. Style-wise the crowd leans punk, alternative and gothic.

Typical night lows are around 14°C (57°F), a drop of 12 degrees from the daytime high. Most people manage with one light layer.

Cushioned trainers or a low boot; the site is concrete and gravel. Expect 15.000–30.000 steps a day.

No formal dress code. Wear what survives the day; the crowd is broad and nobody is checking.

Festivals this size usually limit bags to around A4 size, and some require clear bags at main stages. A belt bag plus a small zipped crossbody clears almost every policy. Always check the official rules for the current edition. They change year to year.

The reliable formula here is a tee, a light overshirt and broken-in trainers, with a beanie and a small crossbody bag. See the full list of men's outfits below.

Yes, but bring biodegradable glitter. Plastic glitter is banned at a growing number of festivals and is close to impossible to get out of a tent, a car or your hair. Face gems are the lower-effort alternative and survive sweat better.

When We Were Young normally takes place in October, running 1 day in Las Vegas. Exact dates are announced by the organisers each year at whenwewereyoungfestival.com. Check there before booking anything.