These Are the Polarizing Trends That Have Defined Coachella
Coachella 2025 Kicks Off: Music, Celebrity Style & Festival Fashion Trends in the Spotlight
This weekend, the much-anticipated Coachella 2025 Music Festival kicks off in Indio, California, bringing together music lovers and fashion enthusiasts from all over the world. The weekend one lineup features powerhouse headliners like Lady Gaga, Green Day, and Post Malone, along with a surprise guest performance by Travis Scott. While the music is the main draw, it’s the festival street style and celebrity fashion that turn heads and dominate social feeds every year.
Since its debut in 1999, Coachella has evolved beyond just a music event—it’s now a global platform for fashion experimentation and influencer culture. Over the years, stars have made it their personal runway, arriving in bold, expressive, and sometimes controversial festival outfits. In celebration, Trending Shortcuts is revisiting the most iconic (and polarizing) Coachella fashion trends of all time.
The Rise of Coachella Fashion Culture
While the festival gained momentum in the early 2000s, it was the early 2010s that truly cemented Coachella’s reputation as a celebrity style mecca. Regulars like Katy Perry, Vanessa Hudgens, and Zoë Kravitz embodied the spirit of boho maximalism—rocking distressed denim, vintage belts, lace bralettes, and, of course, the now-iconic flower crown.
Not all trends aged gracefully. Styles like feathered headdresses and bindis once peaked in popularity at the festival but have thankfully fallen out of fashion due to growing awareness around cultural appropriation and respectful styling.
What Will Coachella 2025 Fashion Look Like?
As the festival evolves, so do the trends. Will this year’s looks lean into nostalgic Y2K influences, futuristic desert glam, or Western fringe and leather vibes? Based on previous celebrity sightings—like Kendall Jenner, Megan Fox, and Doja Cat—we’re expecting a mix of throwback styles, experimental looks, and bold fashion risks.
Stay Tuned for the Top 10 Coachella Fashion Trends
Trending Shortcuts is taking a deep dive into the top 10 most memorable Coachella fashion trends—from chunky statement jewelry to mesh sets, sheer overlays, and everything in between. Whether you’re headed to the desert or just looking for outfit inspo, we’ve got the ultimate Coachella style guide coming your way.
Bold Statement Necklaces at Coachella: A Festival Staple
Coachella is the ultimate celebration of maximalist fashion, and nothing screams bold like a chunky statement necklace. Festival-goers love layering eye-catching pieces to elevate their looks, and Kendall Jenner nailed the trend by styling layered crystal necklaces with a cropped vest and distressed denim shorts, creating a perfect blend of edgy and boho-chic.
Studded Ankle Boots: The Ultimate Coachella Footwear
When it comes to Coachella style, studded ankle boots are an undeniable favorite. Sleek with just the right touch of rock-and-roll flair, these boots—like the iconic Chloe Susanna—add instant edge to any outfit. Loved by fashion icons like Kate Bosworth, they’ve become the go-to choice for festival-goers wanting both style and comfort on the desert grounds.
Grungy Plaids: A Timeless Festival Favorite
Grungy plaids have remained a Coachella staple, channeling the edgy spirit of the festival’s late ’90s roots. Whether it’s a flannel shirt tied around the waist or a punk-inspired tartan dress, this trend brings a rebellious vibe to festival fashion. Style icon Zoë Kravitz nailed the look with a breezy slip dress in plaid, perfectly paired with chunky platform boots for that effortless cool-girl edge.
Ripped Tights: Effortlessly Edgy Festival Vibes
Coachella fashion often leans into that perfectly undone, carefree aesthetic—and ripped tights capture that spirit flawlessly. This grunge-meets-glam look adds just the right amount of edge to softer pieces. Katy Perry rocked the trend by styling her distressed black stockings with a feminine floral dress, striking the ultimate balance between rebellious and romantic.
Ripped Tights: Effortlessly Edgy Festival Vibes
Coachella fashion often leans into that perfectly undone, carefree aesthetic—and ripped tights capture that spirit flawlessly. This grunge-meets-glam look adds just the right amount of edge to softer pieces. Katy Perry rocked the trend by styling her distressed black stockings with a feminine floral dress, striking the ultimate balance between rebellious and romantic.
Distressed Denims: The Coachella Staple That Never Fades
When it comes to Coachella style, distressed denim is the ultimate go-to. From ripped jeans and cut-off shorts to oversized jackets and casual dresses, denim brings that effortlessly cool, all-American vibe to the festival scene. Supermodel Alessandra Ambrosio has long been a denim devotee, proving it’s a timeless essential for desert fashion.
Fringe Fever: Boho Vibes That Define Coachella Fashion
No Coachella outfit is complete without a touch of bohemian fringe. Whether it’s swaying from a suede jacket or adding movement to a maxi skirt, fringe brings that free-spirited, festival-ready energy. Model Chanel Iman nailed the trend with a printed shirtdress featuring subtle fringe accents—effortless, fun, and totally Coachella.
Bold Belts Make a Comeback at Coachella
Oversized belts were a defining trend of the 2010s, and they’ve never really left the Coachella scene. From statement buckles to utility pouches, these belts do more than cinch—they steal the spotlight. Gigi Hadid rocked a wide brown belt that doubled as a pouch, proving that bold accessories still reign supreme at the festival.
Bold Belts Make a Comeback at Coachella
Oversized belts were a defining trend of the 2010s, and they’ve never really left the Coachella scene. From statement buckles to utility pouches, these belts do more than cinch—they steal the spotlight. Gigi Hadid rocked a wide brown belt that doubled as a pouch, proving that bold accessories still reign supreme at the festival.
Macramé Magic at Coachella
For a softer, more whimsical vibe, delicate macramé and lace have long been go-to festival staples. These breezy, boho-chic pieces bring an ethereal touch to the desert style scene. Paris and Nicky Hilton famously embraced the trend, twinning in elegant matching macramé ensembles that turned heads at Coachella.
Neons at Coachella: Bold and Bright
When you want to stand out, neon is the way to go. Coachella fashion has been home to electric hues that demand attention, with Rihanna setting the bar high. She rocked a vibrant pink swim-style bodysuit, paired with sporty pants and eye-catching yellow shoes, proving that neon never goes out of style.
Flower Crowns: The Iconic Coachella Accessory
The flower crown remains Coachella’s signature accessory, with festival-goers donning the boho-chic headpiece year after year. Vanessa Hudgens is one of the stars who has embraced this timeless trend, sporting it on multiple occasions, solidifying its place in Coachella style history.