COACHELLA: BEST LOOKS AND SUMMER OUTFIT INSPO

words by ELIYA WEINSTEIN
editor MAREK BARTEK

Coachella is best known for bringing together the biggest names in music and staging some of the most unforgettable performances. But more than that, it is an occasion to explore and push boundaries in fashion further than what’s usually possible in everyday life, for musicians and festival goers alike. As Coachella content spreads across the internet, it kickstarts festival season and the summer trend forecast. Traditionally, Coachella has had a signature bohemian aesthetic where dresses flow in the wind and jewelry is layered like armor. This year, it welcomes new styles from coquette to cowboy, keeping things casual or collaborations with fashion’s biggest names.

Headlining the first night of the festival, Lana Del Rey’s unforgettable entrance on the back of a motorbike would not be the same without her Swarovski-adorned custom Dolce & Gabbana minidress. She wore two pearly blue looks by the Maison paired with silver Christian Louboutin knee high boots, all in line with her beloved retro Americana style. On her first night, Billie Eilish joined her on stage, in a contrasting look, more masculine and oversized outfit as she has shared, she is more comfortable in. Eilish later debuted three new tracks at a party within the festival, dressed in an oversized Los Angeles jersey, below the knee jorts and Jordan 4’s.

Tyler the Creator is no stranger to performing at Coachella, but he has come a long way since his first set at the festival in 2011. Tyler’s fantastically conceptualized desert-themed set started with him jumping through the wall in a scout’s inspired outfit. In this look it was the details that counted, such as throwbacks to his early days making music in the form of patches on his sleeve, and of course accessories from his collaboration with Louis Vuitton. In Weekend 2, Tyler wore pieces from his own brand Golf le Fleur.

Doja Cat’s performance featured six looks styled by Brett Alan Nelson, more unforgettable than the next. Entire Studios, Off-White, Timberland, Charlie Le Mindu, Natasha Zinko, and more contributed, playing with ideas on masculinity and using materials and textures in the most unexpected way. She opened the show in a hazmat suit, but soon was in a fluffy fur bikini and later changed into a see-through corset with a built-in six-pack (not that she needs the help).

Gwen Stefani and No Doubt had their first show together in nine years. The band all dressed in mismatched punky plaids as if straight out of their own 90s lookbook. Stefani referenced her signature style from 30 years back with a top knot hairstyle and face gems. In an “I heart ND” tank-top and archive belt, their guest star Olivia Rodrigo was living the dream of any die-hard fan.

Fresh off Taylor Swift’s Era’s tour, Sabrina Carpenter brought her delightfully girly style to Coachella. In Weekend 1, she wore custom by Roberto Cavalli who sadly passed the same day of her performance: delicate feathers, snakeskin, and fringe all enhanced her with the desert aesthetic. On Weekend 2, the heart-shaped embellishments and cutouts that have become synonymous with her shows returned in a Frolov minidress paired with a cropped biker jacket by Tanaka.

Lil Uzi Vert was joined by his Kelly Birkin bag on stage, pairing it with a crop top, 3-quarter-length pants and high-top sneakers, all matching his fiery red hair. Ice Spice performed in two custom sets by Australian label I.AM.GIA. Her jumpsuits were constructed fully of lace and finished with bows head to toe – coquette to the max. One pink and one black, both looks were paired with knee high fur boots. Suki Waterhouse’s radiant energy may be from recently giving birth to her baby girl, or it may be her stunning styling by Cassy Meier. Her performance featured a nude Stella McCartney bodysuit covered in rhinestones and a white faux fur coat.

In their first performance at Coachella, the members of LE SSERAFIM wore Louis Vuitton looks designed by Nicolas Ghesquière. While sticking to black, each look had a personal energy and uniquely explored materials like vinyl, mesh, and sequin. ATEEZ became the first K-Pop boy group to perform at Coachella, styled for their first show in Valentino. The looks were all black but individualized with dynamic uses of sequins and fringe. For Weekend 2, Dolce & Gabbana styled the group, including denim jackets and varied pinstripe pieces.

J Balvin’s UFO inspired set was the perfect backdrop for his bedazzled double denim and sweat set by Vetements, which sparkled so bright they could attract real aliens. He brought out Will Smith, who performed in a sleek suit and blackout shades. 21 Savage and Peso Pluma both performed in Prada: overalls with a graphic sweatshirt below and a short sleeve tracksuit respectively. Renee Rapp kept her look all black with a long jacket over a sports bra and tracksuit bottoms by The Row. She shared the stage with Kesha, whose tank top read “I am Mother” – as if we needed the reminder. Mau P and Diplo performed B2B, both fresh head to toe in Marni.

Off the stage, a common theme was dressing for comfort. Hailey Bieber posted on her Instagram her take on what comfort is: oversized tops such as leather jackets and sports jerseys with barely-there shorts and simple black shoes. Amelia Gray wore a white tank, denim cutoffs and black loafers, and of course (every fashion girly’s current must-have) bayonetta sunglasses. Gabbriette served a reminder of how sexy Levi’s can be, paired with a leather bandeau and matching leather jacket. Steph Hui spiced up the simple look with a top from Instagram brand designed to look soaking wet and revealing a bra underneath.

Not all stars kept it so simple though, many made the most out of the occasion. Charli D’Amelio wore a number of black, white, and neutral looks each with a rebellious twist that proves she’s a girl growing up. Each look was finished with chunky black boots by her family’s D’Amelio Footwear. MJ Hedderman served “cuntry” in a micro bikini and shorts paired with fringed leather chaps and a cowboy hat. Against the all black look her turquoise stone silver jewelry and long pink waves were a gentler, feminine touch. Megan Fox wore her hair long and blue, with a straw cowboy hat, a white bodysuit and daisy dukes. Thigh high boots and a leather jacket spiced up the look. 

While it may have been in the middle of the desert, there was no drought for summer outfit inspiration. And though the fashion approach to Coachella used to be quite uniform, in recent years we have seen performers and attendees bring their personal style to the festival evoking a sense of diverse individuality in a big crowd.