Every April, thousands of music fans and influencers come to Indio, California for Coachella. While some people come for the music, others come for the Fashion Olympics. Coachella has become one of the biggest fashion events of the year, where people go all out trying to out do one another.
This year, the theme was 2016. Just scrolling through social media before, during, and after, everyone was talking athe need to bring back the old Coachella. The resounding message was: we need to bring back 2016. From fringe boots to crochet, Boho chic was revived; it felt like a time machine right back to 2016.
Not only did attendees go all out, so did the performers. Sabrina Carpenter wore custom Dior pieces made just for her performance. Some of her looks included; a sequined mini dress, a red mini dress, a white two piece and a body suit. Addison Rae wore a gray dress surprising fans by wearing a latex red body suit underneath. Karol G wore an outfit inspired by the Colombian flag. She wore a white dress with yellow, blue, and red ruffles. Meanwhile, Justin Bieber kept things super casual by wearing an oversized hoodie and baggy shorts.
There are always so many celebrities at Coachella, but this year they kept it chill. Hailey Bieber, Kylie Jenner, and Kendal Jenner were all seen wearing pretty comfy, simple outfits. Most of the time, they were seen wearing a tank and jeans with a cute hat, or a huge jacket with short shorts and tall boots.
Unlike the celebrities, the influencers and normal people went all out. Here are the biggest trends caught over the two weekends:
1. Western Vibes
Fringe was EVERYWHERE. I don’t think one person didn’t wear a pair of fringe boots/cowboy boots. This trend has been around for a while now. When most people think of Coachella fashion, fringe definitely comes to mind.
2. Mini/Micro Shorts
From leather to knit shorts, short shorts took over the weekends. With the desert heat, you have no option but to make them a staple. They were styled with knee high boots, oversized shirts and fun creative tops.
3. Statement Belts
Accessories are a necessity for the festival. Your outfit isn’t complete without them. There of course the classic Coachella belt, but there were a bunch of people layering a bunch of belts to make a standout piece.
4. Bikini Tops
Like the shorts, with desert weather bikini tops have become an essential part of the fashion. People make it more creative with different colors, textures, designs ect to make it more creative.
5. Lace Galore
As always, lace was everywhere. From shirts to skirt to head/body scarfs, people used lace not only for clothing but for accessorizing. Lace is the perfect addition to make any outfit have the boho vibe
But forget about what I think, let’s hear about what O’Dowd students have to say. Contrary to popular opinion, Nina Pernice ’26 said “I really don’t care what other people wear to be honest. It’s your clothes and your problems.” Meanwhile, Rowena Boulton ’27 said, “I think the best outfits came from people who weren’t celebrities”
Overall, Coachella this year has been a mix of “dressing head to toe” with a “I don’t care anymore I’m just wearing what I want” vibes. The festival has become a place where fashion lovers and music lovers come together to enjoy the weekend. Whether you’re watching Coachella from your couch or you got barricade for Justin Bieber, the best outfit is the one that makes you feel like you’re headlining.
