The real headliner at Coachella every year? The outfits.

Each year, thousands of music lovers migrate to the desert to attend the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, and in order to make the trek worthwhile, attendees come decked out in their best outfits for all the artists they plan to see. This year, Coachella saw a few major fashion trends across the crowds, showcasing just how the music event of the year shapes festival fashion.

One of the most prominent trends at the festival this year was outfits with a “2016” aesthetic. Since the beginning of the year, the trend of making 2026 “the new 2016” has been circulating on social media, and it seems that the nostalgia did not limit itself to the festival’s lineup. According to a British Vogue article, the resurgence of decade-old trends seems to go hand in hand with a need for a more optimistic outlook on everyday life, which led to a recall of a time when online culture seemed to be less serious.

Defined by layered pieces and a more laid-back aesthetic, festivalgoers embraced the 2016 vibe by wearing pieces such as ankle boots and a sleek pair of sunglasses (both for the fashion and the utility). These pieces, although still popular, are reminiscent of much older fashion trends and emulate the cultural shift towards a more nostalgic outlook on life, encouraging current adults who were teenagers in the 2010s to return to the fashion trends that shaped their youth.

Much like its mid-2010’s renditions, the festival ground was predominantly filled with a boho-esque aesthetic. While this year did not have an overwhelming number of flower crown sightings, it seems that the flowy structure of outfits made a comeback. As for specific textures, lace and frills definitely made their way back to the Empire Polo Club. From tops and dresses to big studded belts and cowboy boots, this year’s fashion managed to resurrect the peculiar intersection between cowboy, hippie and boho looks with a modern spin.

The color palette of the weekend also served to match this aesthetic – this year, Coachella saw wide swaths of brown and white, rather than over-the-top bright colors. The boho aesthetic is defined by earth-tone and neutral colors, and attendees this year prioritized these shades to maintain a classy yet subtle palette to their outfits each day. These simple color tones also gave attendees lots of mix-and-match options, as it became easier to layer various white shirts and brown belts that people might already have lying around at home.

With 2016’s music making its way back to the charts, as well as new releases recalling this sound – think Addison Rae, PinkPantheress and Zara Larsson, all performers of Coachella 2026 – it makes sense that the festival happens to be the perfect place to find a real-life example of the trend. As it is, the Indio Valley festival is already a staple of 2016, yet in addition to this, it is also a place where all elements of the trending nostalgia are found: music, fashion and a balance between posting online and living in the moment.

In addition to the flowiness and breathability of the 2016-esque outfits, people went above and beyond to ensure comfort during their time in the valley. Leaving behind impractical items from 2016, such as the “gladiator sandal,” festivalgoers opted for light layers best suited for the unpredictable desert weather, with some people even bringing a set of loungewear-like clothing to put on after taking photos.

Some of the most prominent accessories of the festival were also focused on comfort rather than style. One of the chicest items this year around everyone’s neck was some sort of scarf or bandana, partially for the color pop but mostly to protect attendees’ faces from the dust swirling around all day. Additionally, many music listeners sported fun hydration packs. Although they might look like backpacks, the dry air and high temperatures of the desert valley prompt constant hydration, making these large water carriers a necessity to get through the weekend.

While style is still important to festivalgoers, it’s clear that it’s not the only trend. Accessories like these showcase that attendees are taking increasingly more care of themselves when attending big festivals like this. Although a hydration pack might not be the most iconic accessory to a 2016-esque outfit, it does help music fans stay safe and healthy throughout a long day of hopping between sets. The festival is a marathon, not a sprint, and the draining nature of the whole weekend is clearly starting to influence how festivalgoers dress and prepare for the event.

At the end of the day, Coachella is still the hot spot of social media, so it would be unrealistic to think people would not take the opportunity to take a picture with its iconic landmarks, such as the ferris wheel or the SPECTRA tower, and feed into the fashion culture of the event. Yet, it was refreshing to see people in the crowds wearing artists’ merch and comfortable clothing, redirecting their attention to the festival’s main purpose: music.

Although the music stops each night, Coachella’s commitment to iconic fashion never rests.