The Lollapalooza Street Style Was Seriously Good Last Year

POPSUGAR Photography | Grace Hitchcock
POPSUGAR Photography | Grace Hitchcock

It's no secret that, when it comes to festival style, everyone's first thought is Coachella. But the looks at Lollapalooza have begun to bring some serious competition. There were, of course, the flower crowns and denim cutoffs, but those attending Chicago's biggest music festival also showcased clever styling hacks and a mix of high-end designer accessories with affordable don't-care-if-it-gets-destroyed mass-market pieces.

Grant Park was packed with impressive looks last season: popular festival fashion trends like fringe showed up not just on bags but also on skirts, and unexpected tropical prints played perfectly against the urban cityscape that surrounds the three-day event. We also caught cool culottes, pops of delicate lace, and statement-making sunglasses. See the fest's best looks, and check out the most Instagrammable moments from the 2015 event as we gear up for another round this year.

POPSUGAR Photography / Grace Hitchcock

One of the few attendees who noted the thunderstorms in the forecast, this well-prepared attendee opted to pair her sundress with black Wellies.

POPSUGAR Photography / Grace Hitchcock

When she worried her denim cutoffs were too short, she expertly offset them with a long crocheted vest.

POPSUGAR Photography / Grace Hitchcock

If your festival ensemble is mostly black, printed shorts can go a long way.

POPSUGAR Photography / Grace Hitchcock

It was hard to decide which look we liked more – the printed top with shoulder cutouts was unexpected but the knit halter with fringed hem was a luxe spin on the classic crochet top.

POPSUGAR Photography / Grace Hitchcock

One of the best parts about going to a festival with friends is swapping clothes before you get there, which is what these pals did – all wearing something from another's closet.

POPSUGAR Photography / Grace Hitchcock

If you feel like you're showing too much skin, a big necklace can draw attention in just the right way.

POPSUGAR Photography / Grace Hitchcock

A floor-length, long-sleeved dress might have looked a touch warm on a hot day, but the sheer fabric helped this woman keep her cool.

POPSUGAR Photography / Grace Hitchcock

This attendee paired her Lilly Pulitzer romper with Versace shades and her grandmother's handbag.

POPSUGAR Photography / Grace Hitchcock

We love the comfy feel this attendee opted for with an Anthropologie maxi skirt and red Keds.

POPSUGAR Photography / Grace Hitchcock

Amid all the matching sets, a little print-mixing was a refreshing change of pace. This leopard-print Madewell bag worked wonderfully with her patchwork skirt.

POPSUGAR Photography / Grace Hitchcock

A Francesca's Collection tank top and DIY cutoff jeans got a sexy upgrade thanks to strappy Aldo sandals.

POPSUGAR Photography / Grace Hitchcock

Sneakers this bright can make any outfit, especially one with this playful romper from Young Fabulous & Broke.

POPSUGAR Photography / Grace Hitchcock

This stylist rocked a monochromatic head-to-toe look, pairing a white lace-up skirt set with white kicks and a white cowboy hat.

POPSUGAR Photography / Grace Hitchcock

This woman prided her tied-at-the-waist Tilly's scarf as the perfect festival accessory – she could use it as a makeshift blanket on the grass or as shade from the glaring midday sun.

POPSUGAR Photography / Grace Hitchcock

A girlie matching shorts set got the downtown treatment thanks to a black leather backpack and boots.

POPSUGAR Photography / Grace Hitchcock

We loved the sporty-meets-chic styling behind this jersey-style H&M top and sequin-embellished miniskirt.

POPSUGAR Photography / Grace Hitchcock

Onlookers needed sunglasses before staring directly at this metallic Topshop skirt!

POPSUGAR Photography / Grace Hitchcock

Bringing the brightness, this festival fan topped off her checkered Dry Goods romper with mirrored sunglasses.

POPSUGAR Photography / Grace Hitchcock

The windy weather worked in this woman's favor, adding amazing volume to her breezy two-piece outfit.

POPSUGAR Photography / Grace Hitchcock

When you're still tired from the night before, it's not a bad idea to wear your PJs! This pajama-style matching set was the perfect laid-back solution.

POPSUGAR Photography / Grace Hitchcock

It's never a bad idea to wear drawstring shorts to a music festival serving deep-dish pizza!

POPSUGAR Photography / Grace Hitchcock

Channeling a boho vibe — complete with a Zara dress featuring off-the-shoulder bell sleeves — looked effortless for this concertgoer.

POPSUGAR Photography / Grace Hitchcock

This woman proved there's no such thing as too many flowers when she paired her floral-print romper with a colorful flower crown.

POPSUGAR Photography / Grace Hitchcock

Although this concertgoer's outfit could easily be worn any weekend, she still made herself known with bold Quay cat-eye sunglasses.

POPSUGAR Photography / Grace Hitchcock

Upon closer inspection, her white MinkPink top had a multidimensional texture.

POPSUGAR Photography / Grace Hitchcock

After this attendee found a pair of overalls for less than a dollar at Goodwill, she took a stencil and some blue paint to make them truly her own.

POPSUGAR Photography / Grace Hitchcock

Lollapalooza attendees are crafty! This woman cut the neck off a basic white tee and hand-dipped it for a perfect tie-dyed look.

POPSUGAR Photography / Grace Hitchcock

So what if you can't decide between a bold feather-print tank and an attention-grabbing statement necklace — wear them both together for a mix-and-match vibe.

POPSUGAR Photography / Grace Hitchcock

Matching sets are as hot at music festivals as they are on the red carpet, as this festivalgoer showcased.

POPSUGAR Photography / Grace Hitchcock

What to do when you and your best pal both want to wear the same skintight, black-and-white vertical-striped shorts? You go for it, making sure to keep the rest of the look distinct.

POPSUGAR Photography / Grace Hitchcock

One pair of shorts — two very different styling tactics.

POPSUGAR Photography / Grace Hitchcock

The trusted fanny pack — seen in a rainbow of colors — was the official accessory of Lollapalooza.

POPSUGAR Photography / Grace Hitchcock

Grunge meets glam with these friends.

POPSUGAR Photography / Grace Hitchcock

You don't often pair a blue Prada crossbody bag with a flannel tied around the waist, but we love the combination.

POPSUGAR Photography / Grace Hitchcock

Nasty Gal jewelry was both dainty and sexy atop these palm-tree-print cutoffs.

POPSUGAR Photography / Grace Hitchcock

An ikat top and an oversize crocheted vest? She's got the Lolla look down.

POPSUGAR Photography / Grace Hitchcock

Proving you can look cute and still be comfortable, this attendee paired loose Free People pants with an equally breezy top.

POPSUGAR Photography / Grace Hitchcock

When your Urban Outfitters pants are too long and there's no time for a trip to the tailor, do like this woman did and pin them up yourself for a billowy silhouette.

POPSUGAR Photography / Grace Hitchcock

A basic Brandy Melville crop top got an edgy upgrade, thanks to a full body chain overlay from Topshop.

POPSUGAR Photography / Grace Hitchcock

Circle-frame sunglasses became a big trend of the festival, and we can see why: it takes the already-popular '70s aesthetic to a whole new level.

POPSUGAR Photography / Grace Hitchcock

We love how she wore her fringed fanny pack below her hips so you could still see the ornate print of her skirt.

POPSUGAR Photography / Grace Hitchcock

Emoji aren't just on your phone these days. This woman wore the conversation piece of the weekend after ordering it off Amazon.

POPSUGAR Photography / Grace Hitchcock

DIYers came to Lollapalooza in full force, including this woman who gave her otherwise standard shorts a watercolor effect.

POPSUGAR Photography / Grace Hitchcock

If you want that skintight tank to stay perfectly tucked in, follow this woman's advice and go for an Aritzia bodysuit.

POPSUGAR Photography / Grace Hitchcock

This bold necklace from Akira took a basic black look to a new level.

POPSUGAR Photography / Grace Hitchcock

This Free People maxi dress was one of our favorites because it made the perfect complement to almost every other dress at Lollapalooza.

POPSUGAR Photography / Grace Hitchcock

It was hard not to notice this hot-pink top from across the park — and we love how she paired it with equally bright white flatform sandals from Forever 21.

POPSUGAR Photography / Grace Hitchcock

Just because it's not made to be a crop top doesn't mean you can't style it that way. This woman simply tucked under the hem of her American Apparel top to give it a midriff-baring look.

POPSUGAR Photography / Grace Hitchcock

When you're looking for an unexpected way to cover up, follow this festivalgoer's lead and look for a silk bathrobe! She found this one at Anthropologie and made it work as a whole different form of loungewear.

POPSUGAR Photography / Grace Hitchcock

Bold printed pants became a trend everyone wanted to copy. Not only was it a look that stood out from the throngs of cutoffs, but it was also one of the most comfortable ways to dress for a long day in the Summer sun.

POPSUGAR Photography / Grace Hitchcock

Her knit top, from Windsor, featured a heart-bedecked high neckline.

POPSUGAR Photography / Grace Hitchcock

When your Free People dress is backless, opt for a bra with straps that have some visual appeal.

POPSUGAR Photography / Grace Hitchcock

This music fan dressed to have fun, pairing a flouncy tank with playful shorts. Her circle-frame sunglasses and bandana hair tie were perfect accessories.

POPSUGAR Photography / Grace Hitchcock

This woman got her mini bag from Michael Kors, but those brightly colored shorts came straight from her mother's old wardrobe in Japan!

POPSUGAR Photography / Grace Hitchcock

The perfect way to catch a little relief on a scorching-hot day is with a dress that boasts a few well-placed cutouts.

POPSUGAR Photography / Grace Hitchcock

Tie-dyed looks — whether handmade or manufactured en masse — reigned supreme on the city streets of Lollapalooza.

POPSUGAR Photography / Grace Hitchcock

This attendee bought her complete look — from her bold, fringe necklace and her red-framed shades to her stack of bracelets and her multicolored sporty sandals — from Zara.

POPSUGAR Photography / Grace Hitchcock

We couldn't believe this music fan found her on-trend full-fringe skirt from Forever 21.

POPSUGAR Photography / Grace Hitchcock

When you own a pair of Stuart Weitzman knee-high gladiator sandals, you wear them to Lollapalooza. This music fan also managed to pair hers with other statement pieces — a Dolce Vita leather crop top, bold Le Specs sunglasses, printed shorts, and a fringed fanny pack — without looking over the top.

POPSUGAR Photography / Grace Hitchcock

When these are your comfortable pants, you know you've got serious street style. These stretchy flares were a rare find at the festival.

POPSUGAR Photography / Grace Hitchcock

This pair showed two very different ways of styling classic denim cutoff shorts — with an oversize vest and vintage headband or with a fun tank top and locally made jewelry.

POPSUGAR Photography / Grace Hitchcock

A long-sleeved lace dress isn't what you expect to see on a near-90-degree day, but this festivalgoer was completely comfortable in her Free People look.

POPSUGAR Photography / Grace Hitchcock

Another case for fringe! This Cusp shirt proves you don't need to reserve the trend to bags and booties.

POPSUGAR Photography / Grace Hitchcock

We love how this attendee followed a key rule of crop top dressing: if you're going to bare midriff, offset it with a maxi skirt.

POPSUGAR Photography / Grace Hitchcock

A parrot print made this two-piece matching crop top set stand out, but not so much that her friend's fringed Zara dress went unnoticed.

POPSUGAR Photography / Grace Hitchcock

The all-over fringe around the neckline of this dress created an amazing effect as this attendee walked to the next show.

POPSUGAR Photography / Grace Hitchcock

This playful white, A-line Guess dress truly popped under the hot sun in Grant Park.

POPSUGAR Photography / Grace Hitchcock

Symmetrical cutouts made this otherwise simple icy-blue dress a real head turner.

POPSUGAR Photography / Grace Hitchcock

The smartest festival-going friends coordinate. We love how these ladies mixed graphic tees, wide-brimmed ASOS hats, and Frye boots.

POPSUGAR Photography / Grace Hitchcock

Thanks to a basic white cropped tank, this Free People skirt, topped with a vintage belt, stood out the most.

POPSUGAR Photography / Grace Hitchcock

Not only do we love this woman's overall look, but we also adore how she took a basic pair of Forever 21 sunglasses and bent them to create a unique, face-flattering shape.

POPSUGAR Photography / Grace Hitchcock

Every closet needs a black jumpsuit, and the styling of this casual option — topped with a simple Madewell necklace — is as effortless to put together as it is eye-catching.

POPSUGAR Photography / Grace Hitchcock

This ladylike dress got an urban upgrade, thanks to a leather crossbody bag, motorcycle boots, and a bold necklace.

POPSUGAR Photography / Grace Hitchcock

We love how this Lollapalooza attendee dared to mix a lace fabric with a more modern, neon statement necklace.

POPSUGAR Photography / Grace Hitchcock

If you never want to get lost in the crowd, opt for a wild, colorful print. That's what this woman did with her off-the-shoulder romper from Akira.

POPSUGAR Photography / Grace Hitchcock

Proof that sneakers look good with everything: an acid-washed MinkPink denim romper and Tom Ford sunglasses were all this woman needed to look the part of a street style star.

POPSUGAR Photography / Grace Hitchcock

This pair had the temperature in mind when they dressed in breathable fabrics. We love how the bold bag, a purchase from Colombia, stood out against the pale blue dress, which was expertly knotted.

POPSUGAR Photography / Grace Hitchcock

When you're shopping for a festival, H&M is hard to top. That's why this stylish attendee bought her head-to-toe look at the retailer.

POPSUGAR Photography / Grace Hitchcock

Don't let these looks deceive you. These three pals all opted for ultra-wide-legged pants, not skirts or dresses, when putting together their festival looks.

POPSUGAR Photography / Grace Hitchcock

We don't know what we like more: the coral florals on this Topshop jumpsuit or the gingham, short-sleeved crop top from H&M.

POPSUGAR Photography / Grace Hitchcock

A backpack is a must-have festival accessory, but this slick black Ralph Lauren satchel can be worn well after the weekend comes to a close.

POPSUGAR Photography / Grace Hitchcock

Going for comfort, this woman chose light-washed, high-waisted jeans and a tried-and-true pair of Converse.

POPSUGAR Photography / Grace Hitchcock

A high-necked halter helped this concertgoer make a statement.

POPSUGAR Photography / Grace Hitchcock

If you want to stand out, a sexy-but-sweet floor-length dress is the way to go. This one, from Urban Outfitters, was paired with a Chloé bag and Cole Haan sandals.

POPSUGAR Photography / Grace Hitchcock

The open back of this flowing dress was a surefire way to stay cool on a hot Summer day.

POPSUGAR Photography / Grace Hitchcock

When you opt for bold printed shorts, like these from Billabong, it's smart to let them stand out. This black H&M illusion crop top and American Apparel fanny pack worked perfectly as neutrals.

POPSUGAR Photography / Grace Hitchcock

We spotted the overly saturated color of these daisy-print American Apparel shorts from across the park!

POPSUGAR Photography / Grace Hitchcock

Her backless bodysuit let these fun cuffed shorts speak for themselves from behind.

POPSUGAR Photography / Grace Hitchcock

Birkenstocks still reign supreme at music festivals! So do crocheted dresses and bucket bags, like this tan one from Baggu.