The Most Divisive Coachella Fashion Trends That Permanently Revolutionized Festival Style

Since its relatively modest beginnings in 1999, Coachella has grown into a major cultural event where who you see is almost as important as what you wear. By the early 2010s, having a picture in front of the Ferris wheel had become more important than simply dancing in the grass. Stars like Zoe Kravitz, Katy Perry, and Vanessa Hudgens transformed the desert into their own runway, igniting fashion trends that would later divide, provoke, and—occasionally—completely collapse.

Here is a look back at the ten most recognizable, contentious, and memorable Coachella trends that have shaped the festival's fashion language year after glitter-filled year.

1. Statement Necklaces That Were Useful

Ignore the subtlety—"More is more" has always been Coachella's motto. The go-to accessory for festival-goers looking to attract the attention of paparazzi or at least the adoration of a stranger was chunky, stacked crystal necklaces. Serving desert queen meets downtown gritty, Kendall Jenner famously layered hers over a cropped vest and torn jorts.

2. Studded Boots: Totally Chic, Dusty, and Tough

The studded ankle boot is the one shoe that can handle the Coachella terrain. They were popular with celebrities like Kate Bosworth because they were sleek but rebellious, and they paid homage to the Chloé Susanna boots that were a staple of influencer Instagram grids in the 2010s.

3. Rugged Plaids That Secretly Called Nirvana

Low-key staples like tartan skirts and checkered flannels pay homage to the festival's grunge-adjacent origins. Even if it is well styled, plaid at Coachella always shouts, "Yes, I love music, and no, I do not care what you think," whether it is wrapped around the waist or worn as a breezy summer slip like Zoe Kravitz.

4. Ripped Tights: Intentional Disarray

Shredded tights at a polished event have a charmingly untidy quality. In a delicate flowery dress, Katy Perry once embodied the style, striking a balance between pretty and grunge. The entire atmosphere? A bit post-party, a bit post-punk.

5. The Forever Festival Fabric: Distressed Denim

Without denim, Coachella would be like a flower crown without flowers. Frayed denim's raw charm has been the great equalizer of festival fashion, appearing in everything from cutoff shorts to oversized jackets. Alessandra Ambrosio, a recurring inspiration at Coachella has essentially made it a uniform.

6. Fringe: A Moving Desert Mirage

Fringe, whether it is fluttering from suede purses, skirts, or jackets, has been the quintessential bohemian movement. The style combines contemporary sophistication with a nod to Woodstock. At one point, model Chanel Iman dazzled in a shirtdress with fringe details that swayed like a stylish metronome with each stride.

7. Large Belts That Did not Play Around

An iconic 2010s Coachella item was the enormous belt, which frequently came with a holster, clasp, or pouch that might be used to anchor a pirate ship. By allowing her broad brown belt to serve as the focal point of the ensemble, Gigi Hadid looked stunning.

8. Lace and Macramé: Imaginative Incorporated into Each Thread

Macramé added a dreamlike, delicate touch to the scorching desert. Long before TikTok came up with the term, the style hinted at fairy-core, whether it was through airy cover-ups or barely-there gowns. As if they were enchanted twins caught in a luxurious sandstorm, Paris and Nicky Hilton even appeared together in identical macramé ensembles.

9. Neon: The Movement for Human Highlighters

Go loud when in doubt. Like fashionable exclamation marks, neon pinks, yellows, and greens have dotted the Coachella landscape. Naturally, Rihanna went all out, showing that festival fashion is not for the timid by donning a neon-pink bodysuit and vibrant sneakers.

10. The Original Coachella Symbol: Flower Crowns

Coachella is synonymous with flower crowns, whether you like them or not. Unquestionably charming despite being constantly imitated and occasionally mocked. Coachella's unofficial queen, Vanessa Hudgens, has worn the ensemble so frequently that it may pass for her real tiara.

So…What Comes Next?

The question that everyone is asking as Coachella 2025 begins is: What now? Is the ultra-boho style going to make a comeback? Will the desert see the introduction of AI-generated clothing? Or will there be a totally unanticipated trend that nobody anticipated?

Regardless of the response, one thing is certain: Coachella fashion will always be exquisitely chaotic, somewhat contentious, and completely unique.