Coachella 2026: The Year of the 2016 Revival

Anyone who says that a festival is not a fashion show has never been more wrong.

The most notable trend at weekend one of Coachella is the return the 2016

aesthetic, driven by Gen Z and Millennial nostalgia. A combination of bohemian style

and 2026 fashion trends perfect the Coachella aesthetic: fringe jackets and boots,

crochet ponchos, and chunky belts are key indicators that 2016 is so back.

Trends typically move in roughly 20-year intervals due to nostalgia, however social media and fast fashion have accelerated this process, which explains the sudden resurgence of the 2016 trend. Along with the common expression that 2016 was the best year of late, it makes sense that people are searching for a dose of nostalgia.

Bohemian Style

A hoard of influencers have evidently taken inspiration from the 2016 boho revival, with White Fox sponsoring multiple UK Love Islanders on their trip to weekend one of Coachella. To name a few, Samie Elishi, Sophie Piper, Millie Court, and Chloe Burrows were all spotted in heavy fringe, cowboy hats, and mini shorts – emphasising the boho aesthetic. The scenic desert landscape was utilised for their social media content, complementing their perfectly curated outfits. 

While many UK influencers appeared to ‘understand the assignment’, Canadian TikTok influencers and sisters Sunday, Demitra, and Eliana Kalogeras were evidently also heavily inspired by the resurgence of 2016 style. In keeping with Coachella’s typical aesthetic, they were dressed head to toe in crochet, chunky brown belts, and maximalist jewellery across the weekend, which was sponsored by Revice.

Gigi Hadid’s 2015 Coachella outfit is renowned as the bohemian blueprint, with the black distressed denim shorts and suede fringe jacket perfectly capturing the essence of the 2015/2016 era. Judging by the festival outfits from this weekend, it is undeniable that many looks are drawing inspiration from Gigi’s iconic outfit. She set the precedent for boho Coachella style and this weekend’s festival fashion proves her influence hasn’t failed. 

Putting on a Show

Stealing the show was Sabrina Carpenter, who not only demonstrated what happens when you give a theatre kid an unlimited budget through her breathtaking performance, but also showcased standout style moments with every outfit change. Each outfit she wore during her headlining set was a bespoke Dior creation, from a gold sequinned mini dress to a black lace corseted bodysuit. In collaboration with stylist Jared Ellner and Dior designer Jonathan Anderson, her signature Old Hollywood style became the talk of Coachella, with many content creators sharing their opinions and ratings of her outfits on social media. One user expressed that she didn’t have ‘a single bad outfit’, which is high praise from the harsh critics of TikTok. 

Another performer dressed in lace was Sombr, who stood out for elevating menswear at the festival. The overly casual styling seen among many male artists at Coachella this year did not deter Sombr from staying true to his classic roots, dressing in custom Valentino. His matching leather jacket and trousers contrasted the soft lace long sleeve worn underneath, reflecting his stylist’s ability to put a personal twist on a current trend while still remaining authentic.

Also Spotted in Lace

Along with paying homage to 2016 Coachella, many celebrities and influencers were seen to be wearing lace. Kylie Jenner was pictured in a vintage Chanel cropped lace bra with shrug sleeves, pulled from the Chanel 2005 collection. Paired with a pair of low-rise Levi’s jeans, this effortlessly cool ensemble continued her lingerie streak, and did not disappoint. 

Coachella 2026 ultimately proves that fashion is just as central to the festival as the music itself, with influencers, performers, and celebrities all leaning into the bohemian aesthetic of 2016. The 2016 aesthetic hasn’t just resurfaced, it has been reimagined for a new era, and with weekend two still to go, the excitement is building to see how festivalgoers will continue the revival.