money saver
Published 03 Jun 2025
5 min read
Turn heads this Pride for pennies: DIY your way to rainbow glory!
Pride month is here, a time to celebrate LGBTQ+ communities in Britain and around the world.
Written by: Gabrielle Pickard Whitehead
Lead financial content writer
Published: 3 June 2025
Whether you're heading to a dazzling parade or throwing glitter at your own backyard bash, this is your time to shine, express yourself and stand proud in solidarity.
Naturally, you’ll be planning your outfit. But before you splash the cash on something brand-new, have you thought about giving your old clothes a fabulous makeover?
It’s easy, fun and way more personal.
Here are some Pride DIY outfit ideas that will turn heads on a budget.
Wear your rainbow on your sleeve (literally!)
Got an old denim jacket or a faded tee? Transform it with patches! Think rainbows, hearts, pink triangles, you name it!
You can sew or even fabric-glue them on. Grab a bundle for a few quid on the likes of Etsy or eBay.
Tie-dye till you drop!
Tie-dye is bright, bold and impossible to mess up. Pick up a kit online and give new life to old tees, socks, hats, whatever!
Just swirl, soak and show it off. The messier, the better!
Pin it!
Not into crafts? No worries. Grab a bunch of LGBTQ+ lapel pins and add them to your jacket, shirt or bag. They're bold, expressive and require zero effort.
Gay Pride Shop has a fabulous range of LGBTQ+ nickel free, metal and enamel lapel pins for £5 each or £12 for three!
Go wild with fabric markers
This one’s as easy as colouring in. Unleash your inner child by picking up some fabric markers and drawing whatever you want. Slogans, symbols, pronouns, rainbows, just let your imagination run wild.
No sewing. No mess. Just pure you.
Sequins? Yes please!
It’s Pride, time to sparkle! Grab fabric glue and cover anything (yes, anything) in sequins. Jackets, jeans, even a boring old tote bag. Hot glue works best if you plan on washing your masterpiece.
Iron-on transfers
If you don’t have time to sew or draw, then why not customise your clothing by using iron on transfers? There’s a whole host of different designs available on the likes of Etsy that cost little over £1.
Pop them on with a household iron and boom, an instant transformation.
Add fringe, ribbons and tassels
Make every twirl a moment! Add rainbow fringe to sleeves, hems or bags for extra drama. Ribbons and tassels can be glued, tied or sewn onto just about anything for an ultra-glam look.
DIY Pride crown or headband
Crown yourself queen/king/regal being of Pride! Use cardboard, glitter, old headbands, feathers and rainbow stickers to create your own royal headwear.
Who needs a tiara when you’ve got imagination?
Where to flaunt your fabulous creations
Once your outfit is ready, here’s a round-up of some of the biggest and boldest Pride events happening across the UK and Ireland this summer:
Manchester – Manchester Pride
August 15 – 25
Spanning more than a week, Manchester Pride features music, arts, activism and a huge parade through the city. The city’s iconic Gay Village turns into a vibrant hub of celebration, nightlife and community-led events.
London – Pride in London
Saturday July 5
The UK’s biggest LGBTQ+ event features a high-energy parade that winds through central London, finishing at Trafalgar Square where live performers, speakers and surprise guests take the stage.
It’s one of the largest Pride events in Europe, attracting over a million people.
Glasgow – Pride Glasgow
Saturday July 19
Scotland’s largest LGBTQ+ celebration, Pride Glasgow transforms the city centre with its parade, parties and community events. Expect tartan kilts, rainbow flags and a buzzing atmosphere.
Brighton & Hove – Brighton Pride
August 2 – 3
Often labelled the ‘Pride capital’ of the UK, Brighton Pride is famous for its seafront parade, massive music performances and festival energy.
Previous headliners have included international pop icons like Kylie Minogue and Britney Spears.
Cardiff – Pride Cymru
June 21 – 22
The Welsh capital hosts a lively Pride village on City Hall Lawn, featuring live music, street food, drinks and stalls from local organisations. The atmosphere is welcoming, inclusive and family-friendly.
Leeds – Leeds Pride
July 20
As one of the UK’s largest free Pride events, Leeds Pride kicks off in Millennium Square and continues through the city with colourful floats, street performances and a party in the LGBTQ+ district of Lower Briggate.
Dublin – Dublin Pride
June 28
This year marks the tenth anniversary of several landmark achievements for LGBTQ+ rights in Ireland, including marriage equality and gender recognition. Expect a flamboyant and exciting celebratory march through the heart of the city.
Belfast – Belfast Pride
July 18 – 27
Northern Ireland’s largest LGBTQ+ festival runs for over a week, featuring art exhibitions, drag nights, community events and film screenings. The parade is the centrepiece, drawing thousands to the city centre.
Newcastle – Northern Pride
July 19 – 20
The largest Pride event in the UK outside London, Northern Pride in Newcastle features a huge march, musical performances on the Town Moor, wellness areas and a creative arts stage celebrating LGBTQ+ talent.
So there you have it, bold, creative and affordable, just the way Pride should be.
Written by: Gabrielle Pickard Whitehead
Lead financial content writer
Gabrielle is an experienced journalist, who has been writing about personal finance and the economy for over 17 years. She specialises in social and economic equality, welfare and government policy, with a strong focus on helping readers stay informed about the most important issues affecting financial security.
Published: 3 June 2025
The information in this post was correct at the time of publishing. Please check when it was written, as information can go out of date over time.
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Written by: Gabrielle Pickard Whitehead
Lead financial content writer
Published: 3 June 2025