Fashion
25 Years of Coachella Style
Raver wings, crochet pants, flower-studded braids, and more looks that made festival-fashion history.
Is there anywhere better to try out a big look than Coachella? Since 1999, the Indio, California, music festival has been a feast for costumed ravers, besties in matching hairstyles, partiers looking for a mesh-and-glitter break from reality, and the street-style photographers who love them. As we catch our breath between weekends one and two, we’re looking back on the trends that defined Coachella style in every era.
First-Wave Y2K
The pants were big, the accessories were Space Age silver, and Weezer, Iggy Pop, and The Roots were on the main stage (2001).
Indie Sleaze’s Golden Age
Electroclash-inspired styles meant all gold lamé everything (2005).
Hipster Headpiece
In the late aughts, the headbands were forehead bands (2009).
The Hat
Brimmed felt hats rarely looked better than at the sun-drenched Empire Polo Club (2016).
Baroque Braids
Coachella hairstyles — like these flower-embellished braids within braids — became more important than Coachella outfits (2017).
The Mesh Moment
Nineties nostalgia brought back printed mesh and see-through dressing (2017).
Boho, Vanessa Hudgens’ Way
Call it the Vanessa Hudgens effect: open crochet in mystical all-white (2018).
The Pastel Wave
Mermaid hair broke up the sea of flower crowns (2018).
Florals & Frills
With the help of the Revolve Festival, Coachella got a major infusion of girly dresses and sets (2019).
Skater-Boy Style
Designer street- and skatewear — and Beyonce’s collegiate Coachella performance — made festival dressing cool and comfy (2019).
Chainmail Army
Open-weave crochet took a futuristic, spangly turn (2022).
High-Concept Denim
Where to wear a Julia Fox-esque denim set? There’s always Coachella (2022).
Cowboy Cosplay
And at this year’s festival, “Western” was the word, with all manner of cowboy hats and boots, chaps, and cow print (2024).
