Let's Get Real About Coachella
Saturday, April 21, 2018
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| The only set I got decent photo at because I wasn't miles away in the crowd. @thisislany |
Juicy x UO tank | Thrifted blouse | Thrifted denim mini skirt | Adam Selman x Le Specs
Photos by Nicole Odziewa
I am currently on a five-year Coachella streak. I've been attending the music festival ever since I was a senior in high school. I even pulled a crazy plan and flew back last year when I was studying abroad in London. I am crazy loyal to my hometown fest. There's just something super freeing about dancing around in the desert! The only other festivals I've been to, Lollapalooza and Life is Beautiful, are situated in the middle of major cities. The fact that you are so close to the bustling city can take you out of the festival state of mind.
This year two of my best friends from Chicago came for the weekend and I guess I finally got an outsider's perspective on the culture of Coachella. As an enlightened self-proclaimed expert, here are some thoughts I've just gotta write down and get outta my head.
It's about the music, weirdo.
Blame social media, "influencers", or the close proximity to Los Angeles, but sometimes it's hard to remember that the whole point of going to Coachella is to make it to make it to the stages. This year it really hit me how insidious all this talk of "Coachella diet" and "Coachella fashion" has gotten. With the major increase of pre and post-Chella parties, it's clear that brands are only feeding into everyone's fantasies and anxieties about the kind of person you have to be to make it to Indio.
I definitely noticed how all this influence affected me too. While I wouldn't say that my entire focus for the past couple years has been on how I look, but I might have freaked out a little when some of my online purchases didn't look as nice on me as I envisioned. Let this serve as a friendly reminder that none of that really matters once you're there. You don't need to be a certain size to frolic to some tunes in the desert. You don't need to be a certain size to have fun and enjoy yourself.
This outfit was my favorite because I think it really encapsulates everything I love! It also came together out of necessity, rather than meticulous planning. I have been obsessed with Nicole Richie for forever so I was definitely paid tribute to her "Simple Life" days with the Juicy tank and denim skirt. Cheetah print is such a staple in my closet and I knew I had to have this blouse when I found it while thrifting just a week before Coachella. It also helped as an extra layer during those desert nights.
All these festival fashion guides have gotten a little too repetitive so you might as well dress how YOU want. If you're trying to find a theme to all your outfit madness, I suggest dressing to match the vibes of the artists or your #1 artist of the day. Go ahead and do it for the 'gram, but don't try and kill yourself over the perfect shot or for the perfect "Coachella body"...whatever that is.
But just know you can't make it to all the sets.
FOMO is so real, even if you're at the festival. This year the lineup was so stacked, my friends and I had incredibly long talks deliberating who we were going to see this year. We were even cross referencing the day-to-day lineup with the overall lineup of Lollapalooza, a festival that is an annual event within our friend group.
One major advantage that Coachella has over other music festivals is it has the clout to bring out major guests for certain artists. Kendrick Lamar came out multiple times Friday Weekend One. Cardi B basically brought out every feature from her album. MØ brought out Charli XCX and Diplo! The thing about surprise guests is that they are a surprise. Don't sweat it if you missed some major name during an artists you only kinda-sorta listen to.
Sometimes you even miss amazing stand out performances from artists you're only beginning to listen to. I'll forever be apologizing to my friends for taking them to ALVVAYS instead of Jorja Smith even though I transcended when they played "Dreams Tonite."
All that being said, give all your energy for whoever you're seeing. One major complaint from my Chicago pals is that the crowds at Coachella are a bit lackluster. If there's one place LA kids should stop acting "too cool," it's in a crowd.
Coachella sickness is real.
This was the first year I lost my voice!
While you might remember other medicated items (hey, it's legal in California), don't forget your vitamin-C and electrolyte packets, ibuprofen, and nose saline rinses. The latter definitely saved me. It's also useful to bring a bandana or light scarf with you for the unavoidable dust storms that come at night.
Know yourself.
Blame social media, "influencers", or the close proximity to Los Angeles, but sometimes it's hard to remember that the whole point of going to Coachella is to make it to make it to the stages. This year it really hit me how insidious all this talk of "Coachella diet" and "Coachella fashion" has gotten. With the major increase of pre and post-Chella parties, it's clear that brands are only feeding into everyone's fantasies and anxieties about the kind of person you have to be to make it to Indio.
I definitely noticed how all this influence affected me too. While I wouldn't say that my entire focus for the past couple years has been on how I look, but I might have freaked out a little when some of my online purchases didn't look as nice on me as I envisioned. Let this serve as a friendly reminder that none of that really matters once you're there. You don't need to be a certain size to frolic to some tunes in the desert. You don't need to be a certain size to have fun and enjoy yourself.
This outfit was my favorite because I think it really encapsulates everything I love! It also came together out of necessity, rather than meticulous planning. I have been obsessed with Nicole Richie for forever so I was definitely paid tribute to her "Simple Life" days with the Juicy tank and denim skirt. Cheetah print is such a staple in my closet and I knew I had to have this blouse when I found it while thrifting just a week before Coachella. It also helped as an extra layer during those desert nights.
All these festival fashion guides have gotten a little too repetitive so you might as well dress how YOU want. If you're trying to find a theme to all your outfit madness, I suggest dressing to match the vibes of the artists or your #1 artist of the day. Go ahead and do it for the 'gram, but don't try and kill yourself over the perfect shot or for the perfect "Coachella body"...whatever that is.
But just know you can't make it to all the sets.
FOMO is so real, even if you're at the festival. This year the lineup was so stacked, my friends and I had incredibly long talks deliberating who we were going to see this year. We were even cross referencing the day-to-day lineup with the overall lineup of Lollapalooza, a festival that is an annual event within our friend group.
One major advantage that Coachella has over other music festivals is it has the clout to bring out major guests for certain artists. Kendrick Lamar came out multiple times Friday Weekend One. Cardi B basically brought out every feature from her album. MØ brought out Charli XCX and Diplo! The thing about surprise guests is that they are a surprise. Don't sweat it if you missed some major name during an artists you only kinda-sorta listen to.
Sometimes you even miss amazing stand out performances from artists you're only beginning to listen to. I'll forever be apologizing to my friends for taking them to ALVVAYS instead of Jorja Smith even though I transcended when they played "Dreams Tonite."
All that being said, give all your energy for whoever you're seeing. One major complaint from my Chicago pals is that the crowds at Coachella are a bit lackluster. If there's one place LA kids should stop acting "too cool," it's in a crowd.
Coachella sickness is real.
This was the first year I lost my voice!
While you might remember other medicated items (hey, it's legal in California), don't forget your vitamin-C and electrolyte packets, ibuprofen, and nose saline rinses. The latter definitely saved me. It's also useful to bring a bandana or light scarf with you for the unavoidable dust storms that come at night.
Know yourself.
"Know yourself" has a variety of meanings. Know whether you're down to camp. I know I'm the kind of gal who LOVES the comforts of A/C, so catch me in a hotel for the weekend! Know your budget so you don't get your card declined at the merch tent or worse...the beer garden. Yikes. Know why you're going to the festival in the first place. For fun. For friends. For the memories. Sometimes it's never that deep.
I apologize for how many times you've read "Coachella" in this post. I just feel like this festival always gets flack because so many outside forces have created false expectations for the kind of person you should be or the experiences you should have to enjoy the weekend to the fullest.
No festival is perfect, but this one will always be my favorite.
