the great coachella debate

to dress or not to dress

i’m going to start this by saying, i have never been to coachella nor do i have any plans to attend unless a rich trustee wants to sponsor an enrichment trip. i have however, always been fascinated with the fashion at coachella. i vividly remember the day i came across the picture of vanessa hudgens at coachella in 2011 dressed in a crochet crop top and high waisted denim shorts all while barefoot with a feather in her hair. i recall being drawn to the subtle ease of which she carried herself, and even though images of her were heavily reblogged on tumblr it still felt like she was dressing for the present moment as opposed to the gaze of the internet.

since then, the industrial complex that is coachella has exploded into sponsored brand trips and activations strategically designed for instagram post optimization. an aftershock effect of this commercialization has been an emphasis on The Coachella Look. whether it’s through dyed hair, over-the-top face gems or completely sheer dresses the goal is always to make a statement knowing that photos will be heavily circulated well beyond indio, california.

last year there was a noticeable vibe shift away from strategically planned outfits that only make sense within the context of a festival through an unspoken agreement amongst the jenners and biebers of the world that it was cooler to dress in a near anonymous “errand” outfit. i have a feeling this outfit relaxation is derived as a way for celebrities to differentiate themselves from influencers who are getting vip access from brands and are suddenly given equal treatment and attention. influencers are almost required to have a “look” that will instigate engagement and virality as an unspoken part of whatever brand deal they are on, for one to dress in a bland unpresuming outfit is a way of yielding sartorial power free from the shackles of followers. it always shocks me how quick we are as a culture to rapidly shift from one end to the other for the sake of perceived novelty.

i think this debate on dressing for events extends well beyond weekends of coachella, i have a sense that through the quiet luxurification of fashion and emphasis on dressing in practical wardrobe stables we are morphing into a culture where it feels cringe/embarrassing to put thought and effort into a “look”. i personally find an immense amount of value in curating outfits for experiences and assigning a special memory to a garment that will forever exist within the personal archive of your life. i cherish the text exchanges i have with

Angelina Hazzouri

where we send each other vintage finds that would be Perfect for a specific function exemplifying a unifying bond through the belief of the power of clothes and good parties. last year for my 25th birthday, i magically sourced a sheer vintage 1920s black dress on depop from someone who happened to live a block away from me which i wore with black underwear underneath that had little rosettes on them paired with matching rose barrette clips from gap kids to tie everything together. the thrill of finding the puzzle pieces that somehow fused together to form an outfit i felt completely myself in emphasized importance of treating our lives with a heightened sense of exceptionality and unbridled effortful joy.

the best “look” to wear to an event is whatever makes your shoulders relax without any effort, your eyes crinkle a little extra when you smile and exclamation in your voice when you see a friend you haven’t seen in a while even more vibrant. this definition means different things to everyone, some may find empowerment and excitement in putting conscious effort in building a statement outfit and some find it exhausting and uncomfortable. both perspectives are “cool” but only if it feels authentic and not heavily skewing to one side for the sake of perception. at the end of the day, getting dressed should always be just an ingredient in the recipe of creating the richest and most fulfilling real-life experience possible.

THANK YOUUUUUUUUU FOR READING!

next week i am going to write about a first date theory i have… contingent upon whether i find a date so no promises.

xoxoxoxoxo