A good pair of sunglasses is a must

Your desert styling trick?

A good pair of sunglasses is a must IMO. You never want to have closed or squinty eyes in your pictures because you’re being blinded by the sun.

Your favorite look?

It was my first Coachella, so I really felt like I had to serve up some glamour each night. I wore pants the first two nights (which was…interesting in this heat), but if I have to pick my favorite look, it would be my day 3 outfit comprised of a Fang NYC white tank top with paracord braiding, striped shorts from Affection BLVD, and black stringray El Dorado cowboy boots.

I accessorized with Chloé aviator sunnies, a Michael Kors leather shoulder bag, and Pandora charm necklaces and bracelets. I loved how comfortable I felt in this look, even though I had a lot going on.

Your Coachella survival tips?

Bring multiple battery packs. The days can be so long, and there is so much content to capture, so the idea of my phone dying was my #1 fear.

When it comes to the views at Coachella, nothing could beat the Nobu x Redbull lounge. There, guests got to view stunning DJ sets from an uber chic raised platform while sipping on Red Bull signature cocktails and snacking on made-to-order sushi from Nobu—it was all chef’s kiss.

What performer served the best looks?

Lady Gaga hands down. She changed a whopping ten times throughout her act and each look just took my breath away. When she opened the show in that three-story red gown that hid both dancers and an elevator I literally thought I was going to faint. Simply no one else came close to Gaga in terms of fashion and showmanship.

Your beauty secret for the desert?

Reapplying sunscreen over and over again. Skin protection is so vital when you’re in the literal desert. I also packed hairspray with maximum hold because my hair always falls flat when it’s sweltering.

Trend Spotting: What’s the number one fashion item you saw at the festival?

Bloomers! I saw so many frilly, super-short bloomers everywhere and thought they were a chic alternative to regular short shorts.

Kevin Huynh, fashion director

Don’t wear pants

Your desert styling trick?

Don’t wear pants. Seriously, don’t even try it. I made the mistake of wearing long sleeves, and even that was too much. I couldn’t imagine wearing pants—even the below-the-knee Esthé jorts I wore proved to be a pretty warm choice in direct sunlight. Though they slayed, and I wouldn’t change a thing.

Your favorite look and why?

Choosing my favorite look is like choosing a favorite child. However, my day 3 outfit takes the cake. I wore a Contessa Mills black Holland romper that looked like a dreamy, gothic, fully body bloomer. There were ruffles flowing from top to bottom and strings of ruffles flowing behind me. Not to mention, everywhere I walked, I got compliments on it. I completed the look with a tan suede Stand Oil Boat Bag, Pandora bracelets, and Modo sunglasses, which is the best style, aviator. Still thinking about it to this day.

Your Coachella survival tips?

Water! Water! Water! Also, Coke Zero. Hydration and caffeine are the only ways I could’ve powered through three long days of concerts and content creation—and do it successfully.

What performer served the best looks and why?

Hear me out… Addison Rae. My icon , Arca,brought out my other icon, Addison, for a surprise performance of the ‘Aquamarine’ remix. The pop star wore a completely sheer Chloé boho dress with hot pink Pink undies underneath shining through. Little did we know that when she turned around, the text on the rear of the undergarments read “June 6th,” hinting at a future music release. Prepare for an Addison Rae summer, divas.

Your beauty secret for the desert?

Two things: sunscreen and scents. Every morning, I lathered my body in a layer of Vacation’s Glow Whip sunscreen and my face in one of the best sunscreens in the world—the ultra-sheer, weightless Abib Heartleaf Sun Essence. Obviously, reapply with all the Neutrogena sunscreen stations throughout the festival during the day, because who wants to burn while you are trying to have fun?! On the same note, who wants to, well, smell bad either? Glossier’s new Fleur perfume kept my BO at bay, and still got me compliments even after the last set on Sunday. Win!

Trend Spotting: What’s the number one fashion item you saw at the festival?

MICRO SHORTS! Everywhere you turned, you saw at least one pair of micro shorts—and I was gladly part of the problem. On the first day, I wore an all-black, semi-sheer, Charli XCX-coded Affection Blvd set with, you guessed it, microshorts. They make the perfect bottoms to wear in the desert heat while still looking chic. Plus, they just feel cool. So, in that sense, I get why everyone and their mothers wore them this Coachella.

Zizi Strater, associate social media editor

Remember you are in 110 degree weather

Your desert styling trick?

Remember you are in 110-degree heat, so dress for the occasion! Out of hopefulness, I packed a pair of jeans, but they remained tucked away in my luggage the entire weekend. A sleeveless top, shorts, and/or dress of some sort is the way to go.

Your favorite look and why?

Every one of my looks was from Princess Polly, and I definitely leaned into the gingham/plaid princess vibe of it all. Personally, it feels wrong having to choose between my Saturday and Sunday gingham looks.

I truly loved my black and white set, complete with frilly bloomers and a short-sleeved, button-down top with a corset-like ribcage. But, I received a ton of compliments on my red and white bubble skirt dress paired with my matching Steve Madden Red Hayward cowboy boots.

Honorable mention: As a video producer who was in charge of carrying our equipment but still wanted to lean into a more stylish bag approach, the Stand Oil Joey Bag in cream and black was my tried-and-true choice on Friday and Saturday, and it fit all of my festival necessities. Then, I swapped out the cross-body for the adorable Affection Blvd “The Little Heartbreaker” Bag on Sunday for my all-red fit.

Your Coachella survival tips?

LiquidIV, A fully charged Portable charger, Biolyte (the IV in a bottle), and affirmations are the only way to get through the dry desert heat.

What performer served the best looks and why?

Personally, I loved Megan Thee Stallion’s western baddie lewk she channeled during her iconic performance on the Coachella stage.

Your beauty secret for the desert?

Setting my face in between every makeup step with the Charlotte Tilbury airbrush flawless setting spray to make sure I didn’t sweat off my look before arriving at the festival.

Trend Spotting: What’s the number one fashion item you saw at the festival

Micro shorts and bloomers—I had zero shame being on the trends roster.

Sahara Pagan, producer

Statement accessories and a strong silhouette

Your desert styling trick?

Statement accessories and a strong silhouette—think embellished belts, bold jewelry, and standout textures like sequins and leather—instantly elevate any desert look.

Your favorite look and why?

It’s such a tossup because I really loved all of my looks this year, but if I had to choose one it would be the look with the Meshki Willow Mother of Pearl Top, Miaou leather pants, Acne Biker Boots and Jacquemus Leopard Le Bisou Perle bag was my favorite—playful, glam, and grounded in that desert rock-and-roll edge.

Your Coachella survival tips?

Comfortable boots, hydration (cocktail in hand optional), and layering pieces that can shift from day heat to night chill are non-negotiables.

What performer served the best looks and why?

Lady Gaga. Her outfit changes weren’t just fashion—they were part of the storytelling. Every look added to the immersive, theatrical world she created on stage.

Your beauty secret for the desert?

Hydrating skin prep, long-wear cream blush, and SPF—always. I kept it minimal but glowy to stay fresh in the heat while protecting my skin.

Trend Spotting: What’s the number one fashion item you saw at the festival

Western-style belts were everywhere, and I fully leaned into it with my oversized silver buckle belt that pulled every look together.

Cristina Giraldo, senior manager, branded social

Wear breathable items

Your desert styling trick?

Wear breathable items that are truly comfortable. It’s a marathon, not a sprint!

Your favorite look and why?

On day 3, I wore a XXL tee from Lady Gaga’s Coachella merch collection. Little Monsters flocked to her pop-up on the first day, so I made this intentionally oversized situation work with Nike gym shorts and Timberland sneakers. TBH, I packed better footwear—a go-to boot-sneaker hybrid from Hoka and custom Timberland leather boots—but I just stuck to what didn’t kill my feet. I’m never not without my teeny tiny silver Balenciaga bag, and I also wore a vintage hot pink Versace bodysuit and a tank from Disco Daddy and Patrick Church’s collab.

What are your Coachella survival tips?

While you’ll want to see as many acts on the lineup as possible, I’d highly recommend scheduling small breaks for yourself to stay cool, hydrated, and reenergized. Thanks to Tampax, team InStyle’s General Admission media credentials were upgraded to VIP, which made all the difference when it came to capturing content, charging our phones, and sashaying away from the crowds in between sets.

Tampax’s House of Flow activation not only had a pumping DJ and refreshments like reusable water bottles and mocktails, but they also provided all of the period-ready essentials for people who menstruate. (Don’t tell anyone this pro tip, but there’s a high-key nice private-ish bathroom in the back of that activation.)

For those of you with a more flexible schedule, make time also to explore the desert outside of the festival. My partner and I hit up Old Town La Quinta and took respite at La Quinta Brewing Co. before catching Megan Thee Stallion on day 3. If you have the time, many of the nearby desert resorts have luxurious R&R opportunities. At the JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa’s Spa Desert Spring, I was treated to a truly unforgettable holistic 60-minute massage—the perfect reset before flying out of Palm Springs the following day. Check out their spa—the largest treatment facility in the state of California—for a truly relaxing time.

What performer served the best looks and why?

Lady Gaga, obviously. Mother delivered her magnum opus: a theatrical, Broadway-like performance that harkened back to The Monster Ball, Born This Way Ball, and so many of the iconic displays of art she first became known for. She opened the show with “Bloody Mary” and then “Abracadabra” in a red Tudor gown that was apparently inspired by Thierry Mugler’s 1985 design for a Lady Macbeth costume.

Your beauty secret for the desert?

Wear sunscreen. Drink too much water. Make sure to have a meal around midday.

Trend Spotting: What’s the number one fashion item you saw at the festival?

In general, just western wear—it’s going nowhere.

Jonathan Borge, deputy editor