After two years on hiatus, the first weekend of Coachella returned on April 15-17.
A post-lockdown frenzy surfaced through young men’s and women’s styles with mood-boosting colours and prints, sensual pieces and OTT looks. Overarching youth trends continue to be main directions, with nostalgia and anemoia for the noughties remaining key.
While the typical festival look was prevalent, the return of this trendsetting event also marks a shift towards social media-ready looks in line with the rise of TikTok. Fashion brands are tuning into the major influence of the platform, seeking to inspire and be inspired by the youth market.
Young men move away from dated bohemian looks, playing with a Y2K aesthetic, retro separates and pared-back styling. Young women explore sensuality via form-fitting silhouettes and extreme cutouts, while eye-catching vibrant colours and prints take centre stage to uplift youth essentials.
Festival fashion is being reset as a category of its own, with many using the setting as an outlet to experiment, pushing looks further with careful curation and extravagant impact.
Discover five key fashion trends from the return of Coachella 2022, as hand-picked by our trend forecasters at WGSN.
1. #DigitalFilter
Influenced by the design for digital trend, abstract prints include new wave, ombré, heat maps and trompe-l’oeil effects.
2. #VibrantShades
Post-lockdown optimism is reflected in attendees’ colour choices, where brights stand out in simple yet attention-grabbing looks.
3. #RefinedResort
Lightweight retro styles are balanced with crafted florals, summer sport graphics and sparsely placed motifs. Capture the laid-back vibe of summer vacations, as consumers begin to travel again and seek styles that reflect a carefree attitude.
4. One-colour co-ords
Youth use bold colours to set the tone. Summer brights and saturated sunset tones are headliners for directional looks that evoke joyful warmth, while lilac and Digital Lavender offer a softer take on Y2K.
5. #Mushrooms
As both expressive prints and embroideries, mushrooms make reference to a recreational festival mood.
WGSN subscribers can discover more key trends at the music festival in our Young Men’s Apparel and Young Women's Apparel reports. Live now on the site.