Coachella was always a fascinating music festival to observe because it is one of the few that have left the music-festival niche and entered the mainstream, showing those not in know how fashion and music intersect. Dubbed as the “influencer Met Gala” for some time now, it’s a space to see what trends are currently taking shape, whether that’s fashion, beauty, or cultural moments. With the democratisation of fashion and the need to reference the past in a self-aware, filtered way, these are the facets of global pop culture that we noticed from the festival.
Clothing Trends
Coachella fashion is one of the standouts from the festival, even after recent years when fashion shifted to a minimalistic, neutral palette. The swing to loud, boisterous fashion came with the resurgence of Charli XCX, Sabrina Carpenter, Zara Larsson, and Tyla, musical artists who bring a distinctive yet loud sound and colour to them. Their rise was an indication that audiences are looking for maximalism. And this vibrancy is what is currently ruling Coachella 2026 fashion.
Beaded tops, sequinned clothes, and glitter everything have been festival goers’ first choice when curating their looks. Not only does it signal the party atmosphere but it also allows people to get creative with colour theory, texture play, layering, and more.
Western boho-chic used to be a common festival style for Coachella and this year, it seems like it is back in the running again. Cowboy boots, hats, and Western belts are all used to switch up otherwise plain outfits into festival-ready pieces.
Similarly, South Asian-inspired pieces also made appearances. In the past, the festival was criticised for borrowing the aesthetic but not crediting the culture it came from. Now with more South Asian influencers in the scene, South Asian pieces like brocade corset tops, nose rings, and dupattas are being accurately represented and finally opening doors to diverse faces to fashion and global culture.
Colour Trends
The colour palette of the festival paints an accurate picture of the current state of fashion. Nothing is ever truly in and nothing is ever truly out, everything stands at an equilibrium. The neutrals from previous years still stayed strong with people opting for shades of browns and beige to determine their outfits. Others went for all-black or all-gold looks, which worked as a canvas for their makeup and jewellery to shine. And for those keeping up with current times, went for a bright palette. Sabrina Carpenter’s performance outfits came in both cobalt blue and tomato red, two colours that are defining 2026’s spring-summer seasons. While girl group Katseye went for a pastel option of vibrant hues.
The Wave of Nostalgia
Between both colours and clothing trends, one undercurrent ruled them both and that was nostalgia. Certain pieces became references, while certain colours came with an aim to represent a past time. When it comes to pop culture, or culture as a whole, everything is hitched onto nostalgia—either as a reimagination or as an inspiration. We saw this in the prevalence of Y2K styles worn by people who never lived to experience Y2K. It’s also how attendees replaced their phone camera with digital cameras and video cameras, capturing a 2026 festival in textures that are defined by the past.
And then there are the performances. Justin Bieber’s performance was entirely built upon nostalgia as the singer played his old music on YouTube and sang along to it. On one hand, it’s a legal loophole for the singer since he doesn’t owe the rights to any of his old music. This tactic means he can still perform the songs he was known for. On the other hand, this is a form of connection to the audience, who have grown up with him and are similarly looking to heal their inner child through indulging their nostalgia.
Considering the state of the world—the rise of AI, the defunding and demoralisation of the arts, and the rising cost of living that keeps artists away from creating and instead, pushing them toward survival, it’s no surprise that our current trends all chase the past. In a way, it’s a pacifier for current times, a form of escapism. But it can also be a marker of how we have built upon the past, how we have reclaimed it and used it as a guide for new ways of thinking. Coachella 2026 shows us both. Which side we go to depends entirely on us.
