Lost Paradise runs 28 December to 1 January in Glenworth Valley on Darkinjung Country, an hour north of Sydney — four days of bush camping, creek swims and dancing that swings from 30°+ afternoons to genuinely cool valley nights. The short answer on what to wear: light, breathable layers you can build up after dark, earth tones that love dust, swimmers for the creek, and pieces that work more than one way so four days doesn't mean four outfits a day.
- What's the weather actually like?
- What do people actually wear?
- Do I need swimmers?
- What should I pack? The four-day list
- What about New Year's Eve?
- Frequently asked questions
I'm not just pulling this advice out of thin air. I'm Lorelei, and running the Lost Lorelei stall at Lost Paradise means I've seen it all. I've literally had to rescue people mid-festival who were suffering in stiff denim jumpsuits, chafing shorts, and scratchy, restrictive dresses. I've seen firsthand what actually gets worn on the dance floor, and what gets abandoned in the tent by day two.
What's the weather actually like?
Valley heat is real: afternoons regularly push past 30°, and the dance floors are in full sun. But Glenworth Valley is a valley — once the sun drops, the temperature drops with it, fast.
The mistake first-timers make is packing for the day and freezing at 1am. Bring one warm layer you genuinely like wearing, because it's coming out every night. And everything gets dusty. Embrace it: browns, tans and blacks look better on day three than white does.
What do people actually wear?
Everything from full festival fits to swimmers-and-a-skirt. The regulars dress in layers: a boobtube or crop in the heat, a skirt that moves on the dance floor, pants and a warm layer for the night.
Reversible pieces earn their place here — flip a brown and black boobtube and your day-two outfit is already packed. The brown and black reversibles are the Lost Paradise colourway: earthy, dust-proof, day-to-night. Pack light, but pack smart.
Do I need swimmers?
Yes. The creek is the best part of the afternoon and everyone ends up in it. Wear swimmers under your outfit and you can go from dance floor to water and back without a tent trip — a boobtube over a bikini top is the easy version.
Or do what a friend did: swim in her LL jumpsuit and dry off in the sun with it on.
What should I pack? The four-day list
Packing for a multi-day festival, especially over New Year's, is an art form. You want to look good, but you also need to survive dust, sun and freezing nights. Here's the no-nonsense list, with real outfit examples, so you can pack light and dance hard.
1. The multiway top
The vibe: comfort meets clever.
- Real example: a reversible crop top, black on one side and a second colour on the other, or a wrap top like the Multiverse.
- Why it works: two or three completely different outfits out of one tiny piece of fabric.
2. The freedom bottoms
The vibe: one for day, one for night.
- Day example: a high-waisted skort or a flowy mini skirt, so you can dance freely without worrying about wardrobe malfunctions.
- Night example: soft wide-leg pants or patterned flares.
- Why it works: you stay cool and flexible during the day, then swap into cosy pants the second the sun goes down.
3. The trusted warm layer
The vibe: you will wear this every single night, so make sure you love it.
- Real example: an oversized vintage fur jacket or a chunky knit cardigan.
- Why it works: instant warmth that still looks good over your day clothes. Trust me — after your shower before bed, your body temperature regulates and you feel the cold of the night.
4. The secret agent swimsuit
The vibe: swimmers that double as actual clothes.
- Real example: a textured ribbed bikini top that reads as a sports bra, or a sleek one-piece worn as a bodysuit under your pants.
- Why it works: perfect for a midday creek dip or a hot afternoon, with no outfit change required.
5. Beat-up closed shoes and gaffa tape
The vibe: dust and dancing are non-negotiable. Leave the white sneakers at home.
- Real example: chunky Doc Martens, Blundstone boots or old running shoes — plus a roll of gaffa tape, in case something breaks.
- Why it works: no stubbed toes in the crowd, no blisters, and zero regrets when they get covered in mud and dust.
If you're in Sydney, go to Glebe Markets, or go visit Chi at CS Flashback and let him or his daughter know I sent you. Don't expect a discount for the name drop, hahaha, but it will put a smile on their faces. They're the best at vintage, and where I scored all my best footwear.
NOW THAT'S living. What a score — I still have them and still wear them today, although one pair is gaffa'd together.
And definitely bring thongs. The showers are not great after a while.
6. The sun blockers
The vibe: protection from the brutal afternoon heat.
- Real example: a canvas bucket hat and an oversized linen button-down worn open.
- Why it works: keeps you from burning through the 3pm heat. When it cools down, tie the shirt around your waist.
7. The New Year's Eve upgrade
The vibe: don't start from scratch. Build on what you're already wearing with accessories and jewellery. At your core you want to be comfy, move well and dance.
- Real example: keep your daytime base of crop top and skort, layer a sheer rhinestone mesh dress over the top, add face sparkles and a small bag, and you're midnight-ready in two minutes.
- Why it works: nothing extra to pack, and nothing you have to go back to the tent to change into.
Below I'm wearing the white Multiverse and a glow-in-the-dark mask another vendor was selling. Yes, it ended up dirty — but I love it, and it's just dirt that washes off.
What about New Year's Eve?
NYE at Lost Paradise is the big night, but it's still a bush festival. The move is building your existing pieces up rather than packing a separate outfit: flip your reversible to the colour you haven't worn, add the layer, done.
The Chani top and String Theory are great dance floor pieces, because the cutouts catch the light.
Blue works just as well as the earth tones if that's more your thing — the Baby & Steel reversibles are the same idea in a cooler palette.
Frequently asked questions
What should I wear to Lost Paradise?
Light, breathable layers for 30°+ valley afternoons, one genuinely warm piece for the cold nights, swimmers underneath for the creek, and earthy tones — brown, black, tan — that hide four days of dust.
How cold does Lost Paradise get at night?
Cold enough that you'll want a real layer. Glenworth Valley is a valley, so once the sun drops the temperature drops fast — the classic first-timer mistake is packing only for the heat and then freezing at 1am.
What shoes should I wear to Lost Paradise?
Beat-up closed shoes — Doc Martens, Blundstones or old runners. Leave the white sneakers at home, and bring thongs separately for the showers.
Do I need swimmers at Lost Paradise?
Yes. The creek is the best part of the afternoon and everyone ends up in it. Wear swimmers under your outfit so you can go from the dance floor to the water without a trip back to the tent.
What should I wear for New Year's Eve at Lost Paradise?
Build on what you're already wearing rather than packing a separate outfit — keep your daytime base, flip your reversible to the colour you haven't worn yet, then add a sheer layer, face sparkles and a small bag.
How many outfits do I need for four days at Lost Paradise?
Fewer than you think. Reversible pieces give you two looks from one item, so a multiway top, two bottoms, one warm layer and swimmers will cover the whole festival.
Ready to pack?
The Brown & Black reversibles are the Lost Paradise colourway, and the Bush Doof Capsule has the rest of it in one place. If you're in Sydney, come find us most weekends at Bondi, Manly or Glebe Markets.
Packing for a different festival? We've written the same guide for Dragon Dreaming, and for the desert — what to wear to Burning Man covers nine days of playa dust and near-freezing nights.
Tickets at lostparadise.com.au — last edition sold out in under 24 hours, so don't sleep on it.
