More so than any other festival, Coachella has a very recognisable aesthetic. Whether it’s the warm Palm Springs climate or the proximity to Los Angeles and the heavy celebrity contingent, the dress code always seems to be one thing: boho. A-listers like Vanessa Hudgens, Kendall Jenner and Gigi Hadid have all made floral crowns, cut-off denim shorts and flowing Seventies attire something of a festival uniform – but isn’t it kind of boring to just dress the same as everyone else? Here’s how to avoid 7 of the biggest Coachella clichés and what to wear instead…
Swap Floral Crowns For Braids
(Picture: Pinterest / @bridgetbragerhair
Flower headbands have become such a Coachella cliché that they even got their own Snapchat filter during last year’s festival. The ubiquitous accessory – which you can find at pretty much every high street store nowadays – has become tired and obvious. Instead, eschew hair accessories altogether and instead go for a pretty braided updo. Whether opting for the classic Heidi plaits piled on top of your head, French braids, space bun braids or something a little more intricate à la Kate Bosworth’s centre parting braid, there’s no denying that it’s a super easy way to dress up your look with none of the datedness of a floral crown.
Swap Crochet Crop Tops For Logo Tees
(Pictures: @PandoraSykes / @ganni
Seventies-esque crochet crop tops and halternecks have become de rigeur at Coachella. This year, we'll be swapping ours for an on-trend logo tee. Whether you opt for the Insta-favourite from Gucci, one of Ganni's popular 'Space Cowboy' or 'Cherry Bomb' designs or show your musical tastes with a band tee, this is a look that you can repeat once Coachella is finished too. Crochet crop tops? Not so much.
Swap Floral For Gingham
(Pictures: Getty)
There’s no denying that the print of the season is gingham. Once the preserve of school girls, the quintessentially summer pattern had a grown-up makeover for 2017, with everyone from Mango to H&M doing it. So if your go-to festival look involves pretty floral dresses or tops, fear not, gingham is an easy swap. Look for pieces with frills, ruffles or deconstructed details if you want to keep it on trend for this season, or go for the cold-shoulder dress, if you prefer a classic cutesy summer look.
Swap Chokers For Mismatched Earrings
(Pictures: Getty)
We’ll just come out and say it: for us, chokers belong in the nineties. Despite the fact that most of Coachella’s clientele don’t remember them the first time round, chokers really took off at last year’s festival, much to our dismay. Instead, the only jewellery trend you should be following this year is for mismatched earrings. While fashion’s recent love affair with our ears is well-documented (first it was multiple dainty earrings, à la Maria Tash, then it was oversized danglers) the A/W 17 catwalks saw models wearing odd sets, or even a singular earring.
Swap Cut-Off Shorts For Embroidered Denim
(Picture: Mango / Free People)
Denim shorts have come on a long way since the ubiquitous bum-revealing high-waisters that seem to perennially crop up on off-duty models at music festivals. This year, we’re opting for a ‘mom’ style longer cut, with fun detailing such as floral embroidery. Still ticks the boho, nineties-throwback box, but doesn’t reveal as much flesh and still feels practical.
Swap Temporary Tattoos For Pierced Nails
(Picture: @pronounced_tilly / @justalli_xx)
The festival set’s obsession with temporary tattoos (and specifically Flash Tattoos, the LA-based brand of metallic boho designs) can be dated back to 2015, when Beyoncé declared herself a fan. In 2017, we’re predicting that the next ‘out there’ beauty trend a lot of people will be rocking will be pierced nails – a look pioneered by Kim Kardashian in January. Not the most practical of festival looks, but whoever said Coachella was about practicality?
Swap Rainbow-Hued Hair For Neon, Glow-In-The-Dark Dyes
(Pictures: @makeupbyfrances / @guy_tang)
Want to take your festival hair colour to the next level? Opt for a fun glow-in the-dark neon shade. Currently one of the new most-asked for shades at Bleach London, it’s only increasing in popularity after several brands have begun patenting colour changing technology. Just be considerate of your fellow festival-goers when it comes to bedding down for the night – it’s not like there’s an off-switch…