I Tested My Festival Outfits at Coachella—Here's What I'd Wear and Skip This Summer

Festival dressing is something I've quietly perfected over the years, and my biggest lesson is quite simple. The perfect festival look is less about following trends and more about knowing exactly what works for you season after season. After two back-to-back Coachellas and plenty of trial runs on other festival grounds, I've learned that the best outfits strike a very specific balance: They feel effortless, photograph well, and actually hold up from the first set of the night to the last.

This year, I treated Coachella as a real-time edit. With it being the first big festival of the year, this was the opportunity to see which looks worked and didn't. I tested out the pieces I had a good feeling about to confirm what's worth repeating but also took rigorous notes on what everyone else was wearing. Some trends delivered exactly as expected, while others felt a little too obvious or overdue for a break. Below, see everything I'd wear again in a heartbeat and what I'm officially leaving behind for summer festival season.

Skip: Band T-Shirts

Wear: Crochet

Crochet is the all-grown-up upgrade to the band tee you once threw on. It has that same laid-back, music-scene energy but feels more directional and breathable, which is key.

Skip: Ombré Tops

Wear: Paisley

Paisley feels like the cooler fashion-person alternative to ombré. It nods to vintage festival style but still feels fresh—especially in rich, earthy tones. Looking through 2016 photo archives, I saw ombré festival outfits and was overjoyed that the trend is behind us.

Skip: High-Waisted Denim Cutoffs

Wear: Leather Shorts

Hear me out because I know this one might make some people mad. Lightweight leather shorts instantly elevate your look and somehow feel less basic than denim while still being just as easy to style.

Skip: Ponchos

Wear: Maxi Dresses

A great maxi dress is the ultimate one-and-done piece. It's breezy and dramatic and requires almost no effort, which is exactly the energy I want at a festival. Waking up and just throwing one on feels incredible.

Skip: Lace-Up Bodysuits

Wear: Fringe

Fringe brings the drama without the discomfort that those lace-up bodysuits once brought on. Whether it's a belt or a bodysuit, it moves beautifully and adds that standout element every festival outfit needs.

Skip: Overalls

Wear: Lace Trim

There's something about delicate lace that instantly makes an outfit feel lighter and more considered. Lace trim on a minidress or satin shorts adds just enough romance without feeling overdone and is set to be the micro-trend of summer 2026. Overalls can stay in the archives.