By Kyra Sansone
The 2025 Coachella music festival began this past weekend in Indio, California. This year, the popular festival will occur over two weekends, Friday, April 11 to Sunday, 13, and Friday, April 18 to Sunday, 20. The kickoff weekend was filled with headliners such as Lady Gaga, Green Day, and Travis Scott.
When Coachella first began in 1999, it was known for its music performances, but starting in the early 2010s, it became a place for celebrities to be seen wearing their flashy outfits. This year, once again, attendees treated the festival as a runway, showing off a wide range of trend-forward looks. Reflecting the ever-evolving nature of music festival fashion, celebrities and influencers were seen wearing everything from throwback outfits to experimental pieces. Several outfit choices were popular among attendees and should not be left unnoticed.
Retro-inspired sunglasses were one of the less risky but still popular picks this past weekend. They take any outfit to the next level without being over the top and out there. With brands like Miu Miu and Balenciaga, these glasses gave the vibes of the ’60s and ’70s. These accessories, while fun, are also convenient in the middle of the desert lands in Indio.
“I would have loved to be at Coachella this weekend, but I have been keeping up with what I missed since I wasn’t there,” said Ashley Gofstein, a freshman at The University of Tampa, who loved seeing this trend this weekend. “I have been wearing retro sunglasses recently, and it made me so happy to see that they were worn at Coachella too.”
As Who What Wear calls it, the athletic aesthetic has moved from the runways to the festival grounds; these outfits are a mix of sporty and sophisticated. We have seen track shorts and baseball caps mixed with diamonds and shoulder bags.
“It gives Billie Eilish,” said Xena Holton, a sophomore finance major at UTampa.
These trends all have to start somewhere, and Holton thinks Billie Eilish caused this one.
Gofstein said she admires how comfortable these outfits can be while still being fashionable.
“Music festival days are long,” said Gofstein. “These outfits are the perfect mix, so you’re not uncomfortable all day but still look like you put the effort into your outfit.”
Sheer outfit pieces were also a big hit this weekend. Clairo wore a mesh polka-dot top during her performance on Saturday, April 12, but she wasn’t the only one. Attendees from near and far were seen in similar looks with sheer tops, bottoms, and dresses. With the Indio Valley heat, mesh pieces are practical and stylish, just like the retro glasses.
Boho looks had a comeback once again. Last year, one of the most popular accessories was the infamous Coachella belt, like Urban Outfitters’ Betty Stamped Leather Belt and the Embossed Chain Belt. We saw similar ones this year, but not everyone was a fan.
Holton said she is over these belts, and although cute, they are completely overdone.
“There are so many ways you can be unique with your outfits at a festival like Coachella. Those belts are not it,” said Holton.
Sometimes worn with the infamous belt, we saw lots of crocheted pieces worn amongst the crowd. With the heat in mind once again, these outfits allowed attendees to feel any breeze they could through the crocheted holes in their outfits. With some crocheted outfits even being homemade, we saw lots of originality in these.
So far, the fashion trends at Coachella 2025 have showcased a blend of originality with some older, nostalgic trends mixed in. One thing is for sure: festival-goers embraced creativity in every detail of their outfits. Coachella, the place where music and fashion intersect, has shown off its fashion sense, from accessories to boho styles and everything in between. The festival continues to influence music culture and the style of both festival fits and everyday outfits. The scene in Indio Valley is setting the tone for fashion trends this summer and beyond.
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Photo courtesy of Christopher Polk for Getty Images.