You have probably heard about the infamous annual Coachella festival that happens every April. It is a fantastic omen to a great summer, and many people take the preparation, fashion and experience seriously. 

The festival hosted artists such as Lana Del Rey; Tyler, the Creator; Billie Eilish; Doja Cat; Reneé Rapp; and Chappell Roan. The artists who performed, influencers and other festivalgoers were dressed very fashionably. Though the point of Coachella is the music, an enormous factor is the outfits that people wear. Attendees use Coachella to implement trends, live a fantasy and embrace confidence. 

Each year, there are different unspoken themes of Coachella. For example, there have been themes of western wear in the past. People wore tassels, cowboy boots and country prints. This year, the theme encompasses both a “clean” and “grunge” aesthetic. It seems contradictory, as these aesthetics have two different general looks, but it is seeming to work. 

In more recent times, there have been specific influencers who are becoming popular. Though they have held a social media presence for a long time, their names are recognizable by a majority of Gen Z. One of these influencers is none other than Tara Yummy. Tara Yummy is the current face of the “grunge” aesthetic. Accompanied by two other influencers, Jake Webber and Johnnie Guilbert, they have created a newfound love for grunge, dark and punk looks. However, the “clean” look remains. How do they mix?

Another influencer that has been the face of expressionism and individualism is Tana Mongeau. Tana Mongeau is a combination of “clean” and “grunge,” and the reason both aesthetics can coexist. At Coachella, she wore several outfits engaging with both styles. She wore a long, flowy and sheer skirt with a black, leather and bustier top. In a conventional world, these items do not belong together. Nevertheless, Tana Mongeau has succeeded.

The ultimate “clean girl” is Hailey Bieber, which society was made aware of years ago. At Coachella 2024, she attended the festival in her clean aesthetic, but she also arrived in a black, leather jacket. She is known to wear matching sweatsuits, slick her hair back, wear chunky and minimalistic sneakers, and keep her nails short, but polished. This year, she wore all black, kept her hair down and joined the rest of Coachella. Though she kept her “clean girl” makeup and tanned skin, she proved that the theme was not figurative. 

On the basis of influencers, celebrities and festivalgoers, the theme continued. Lana Del Rey wore a Dolce & Gabbana dress in blue with cutouts and rhinestone heeled boots. She is known to have a “grunge” style personally and musically but dressed in a “clean” fashion at Coachella. Doja Cat has become extremely grunge over the past few years, but she also performed at Coachella in a “cleaner” style. She wore very neutral colors but accompanied them with a white hazmat suit. Essence Magazine named Doja Cat as a “radical fashion chameleon,” which I find interesting because there is always an unspoken theme that everybody clings to. 

Ice Spice wore a lace tie black bodysuit. It was very flattering, but she accompanied her “grunge” look with sleek, straight hair and “clean” makeup. There are two leading styles that have taken over spring. Additionally, Billie Eilish performed at Coachella in her usual grunge fashion, but she was wearing minimal makeup. She also was wearing “streetwear,” which is jerseys, baggy clothing and sneakers. Both people who enjoy clean and grunge aesthetics take part in streetwear. The contribution of each aesthetic is evident on the Coachella stage.

Similarly to Billie Eilish, Tyler, the Creator wore his everyday outfits to perform, which are “clean streetwear” and following into both discussed categories. Grammy winner Jon Batiste was wearing a cream Dolce & Gabbana suit. He played the piano alongside Lana Del Rey, who was inevitably performing with a burlesque pole. 

Everyone at Coachella incorporated their personal aesthetic into an overall category of “grunge” and “clean.” I appreciate the unspoken concept of Coachella 2024. There are many controversies surrounding Coachella, which include pricing, inability to get costly food and water, social insecurities and integrity of music. However, it is a fun event that many people strive to experience at least once in their lives. 

Coachella has provided, in my opinion, the most welcoming and diverse aesthetic this year. The trends that were implemented are relatable to everybody, and outfits can be realistic but innovative. The best inventions are the ones you least expect. 

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