9 Unexpected Festival Fashion Trends to Wear This Summer and Beyond

From western to retro, personal style reigned supreme.

Festival fashion often gets a bad rap. Haters will say it's all about influencers in the wild posing in front of the iconic Ferris Wheel wearing head-to-toe polyester and desert-inappropriate footwear. And admittedly, there's a bit of that— festival costumes, especially ones at Coachella, are not subtle. They're bold, outrageous, trend-forward to the point of absurdity, and very often involve massive amounts of glitter.

In its defense, Coachella also has some style hits: The festival popularized the now-iconic flower crown. It gave us a new appreciation for crochet. Body jewelry wouldn't be the same without it. But, in recent years, fashion's favorite festival has evolved sartorially. Jeans and slouchy tees have replaced denim short shorts and tie-dye. Concertgoers are going casual, country, vintage, coquette, or futuristic — sometimes all in one weekend. Individuality, more than any specific look, seems to be what's on everyone's mind.

Retro aesthetics dominated, with celebs, influencers, and performers alike looking to the past for inspiration. In one of Coachella's most talked-about fashion moments, Travis Kelce always makes a scene with his style, wearing breezy layers for weekends that recall 1990s skater grunge style. It was an unexpectedly relaxed look for the Super Bowl winner, who usually favors bold trends and fashion statements while out and about.

In another style standout, Lana Del Rey channeled vintage glamour for her performance with '60s-inspired makeup and a sky-blue dress that would make Priscilla Presley proud. Even the experience had a nostalgic feel: Y2K digital cameras becoming 2024's "It" accessory. Early aughts icons stole the show thanks to Gwen Stefani's headlining set and an out-of-left-field Keisha cameo. Paris Hilton even performed a surprise DJ set at the Absolut.LAND Tent to celebrate the return of Carrie Bradshaw's favorite drink: the beloved pink Cosmo (which, to be honest, is ripe for a resurgence).

In short, 2024 is about embracing personal style, comfort, and experimentation more than ever. And the experts agree. "There’s something cute about ending up in the first aid section...and nothing cute about someone walking poorly in cute shoes,” explained Micah of the celebrity stylist duo Wayman + Micah, who broke down their festival fashion must-haves in the latest episode of the official vodka of Coachella's Absolut Mixing it Up: Cosmos & Culture series.

Overall, the pair, who count Da'vine Joy Randolph, Regina King, and Olivia Munn as clients, have one piece of overall advice: "Be inspired by you first" when it comes to festival fashion. "Make sure you have a clear definition of what you want to be," says Wayman. "That way, when it's time to create the look, you shine through."

Ahead, we're breaking down all of this year's top festival fashion trends to wear this summer and beyond.

Cowboy Couture Reigned Supreme

Call it the Cowboy Carter effect, but Western styles were everywhere at Coachella this year. We're talking cowboy boots, hats, vests, and even fringe. And this trend shows no signs of slowing down — expect more yeehaw fashion to emerge in the months ahead through summer and beyond. As Micah puts it, “Our president, Beyoncé, kind of dictated it.”

Spotted: Animal Print

You could spot cheetah, leopard, and even snake prints at every Coachella set this past weekend. Call it a hangover from this winter's mob wife trend or a move towards indie sleaze aesthetics, but people really got wild with it. Consider animal print is a neutral, and style with reckless abandon.

The Sports Jersey Has Its Fashion Moment

The Blokecore trend — inspired by soccer fans — really picked up steam this festival season. And it's not hard to see why. Jerseys are sweat-friendly, breathable, and a fun unexpected pairing with all the girlish styles that have been trending lately. Pair with bloomers, mini skirts, or ballet flats for a sporty-and-sweet look that's as comfortable as it is cute.

Country Coquette

We're dubbing this hyper-feminine interpretation of Western style country coquette. Put simply: It's Dolly Parton meets Lana del Rey. Whether you're chilling in VIP, kicking off the weekend at Absolut's Cosmo brunch, or vibing front and center at the main stage, all this look calls for is a little glamour, a little cowgirl, and a whole lot of coquette.

Sheer Everything Everywhere All at Once

The sheer trend that's dominated runways, red carpets, and street style for the past few years is officially cosigned by the Coachella crowd, too, whether it was delicate lace, see-through crochet, or ethereal chiffon, festival folk layered like pros embracing the subtle sexiness of a sheer look.

Seeing Double Denim

Yes, this might seem like just another Western-adjacent trend—but it doesn't have to be. Whether it was a denim vest paired with jeans or a cool matching set, the Canadian tuxedo is having its moment in the spotlight. The best part? You definitely can get in on this trend with what you already own. Just break out all your denim favorites and start to mix and match.

The Year of the Festival Belt

Everyone wore belts this year. Whether it was a cowgirl-inspired belt buckle or more of a relaxed boho vibe, belts showed up and out this year as the go-to accessory for pretty much every aesthetic.

It Girl Minimalism

Sometimes less is more. When everyone else is in their festival finest, the best way to stand out in a crowd is to go understated cool with your look. It girls embraced simplicity this year going for ribbed white tanks, graphic tees, and baggy pants over body jewelry and glitter.

Vintage Treasures

If all that talk of retro aesthetics and vintage glamour has you excited to whip out your latest thrift find, look no further than the festival circuit for the ideal moment for your treasures to see and be seen. There's nothing more personal that one-of-a-kind pieces found in a hunt, which makes upcycling one of the best way to embrace your personal style this summer.

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