Brace yourself, it’s almost that time of year again: festival season. The only time of the year where I actually hesitate to pick up my phone and scroll through Instagram. Maybe it’s part FOMO and maybe it’s part I don’t want to see your f*cking ferris wheel photos where you’re wearing the same basic “festival” outfit as every other girl on my timeline. IDK, it’s one of the two, maybe both. I mean, the least you can do for us peasants sitting at home (while you’re raging your last few brain cells out) is avoid wearing the same basic cringeworthy stuff we see year after year. Like, at the very least, bring us some enviable outfits and interesting content. I don’t think that’s too much to ask. Here are five overdone festival trends that I don’t want to see this year, plus more stylish replacements for each.
1. Flower Crowns
This one should go without saying, but this year, leave your flower crowns at home. Like, please. I beg you. Unless you’re below the age of 10, at this point, it’s the ultimate festival fashion faux pas. It’s too predictable, too cliche, and I know you’re better than all that. So, unless you want to look like an eager wannabe at your first festival ever, ditch the flower crown. Instead, opt for some chic barrettes, a hair scarf, or even a head wrap.
Forever 21 Leopard Print Headwrap
Free People Bandana Scarf Pony
Free People Resin Star Clip Set
2. Temporary Tattoos
Speaking of festival accessories that make you look like you’re 10 years old, let’s talk about temporary tattoos. YIKES. If I see any metallic flash tats on my Instagram feed, you best believe you’ll be getting a hard unfollow. And like, faster than you can even post a generic Insta story of your Coachella pass. No temporary tattoos and no flower crowns. Honestly, I’ll take your bejweled body tats before your tacky flash tats. Look, there are plenty of great accessories to snazz up your Coachella look, so there’s no need to f*ck up your aesthetic with these lame body tats. At the end of the day, you don’t want to look like a try-hard. And temporary tattoos, well, they’re the definition of trying too hard. Instead, you can add some glitz to your look with a few strategically placed accessories, like earrings, necklaces, and body chains.
3. Floral Flare Pants
I know, I know, this one is probably a hard pill for most of you to swallow, but the floral cotton flare pants HAVE GOT TO GO. I mean, if sorority girls are wearing these pants casually out on the weekends to frat parties, you certainly should not be wearing them to one of the most fashionable events of the year. Now, look, I get it—these pants are comfy af. They make your legs look long and your butt look good. So I’m not nixing this style pants altogether, just the basic floral and tapestry print versions. Instead, try a more trendy and less basic pair, like an animal print or even a clean stripe pattern.
Juniper Blu Snake Print Fit & Flare Pant
House of Harlow 1960 x REVOLVE Lora Pant
House of Harlow 1960 x REVOLVE Jeane Pant
4. High Waisted Booty Shorts
You all know the ones I’m referring to—the ones that are up your ass crack and debatably denim underwear. Look, if you want to have your ass cheeks out, more power to you. Coachella is the time and place for it! But, if you’re not in college anymore, it’s time to elevate your short choices. High waisted pairs are ideal for your festival crop tops, but opt for a more elevated looser fitting pair like the ones below.
AMUSE SOCIETY Canopy High Waisted Short
1.STATE Flat Front Regency Stripe Tie Waist Short
Blue Life Rosie Ruffle Wrap Short
5. Open-Toed Flats
Festival 101, no open-toed flat shoes. Unless you want the bottoms of your feet to look like you just hiked through miles of black mud while barefoot, an open-toed flat is a HARD no. Why ruin that expensive pedicure and have who knows what stuck in your toenails for the next five years? Opt for a cute sneaker so you’ll be comfy and actually be able to walk around, or even a wedge so that your feet are at least elevated from the ratchet ground.
Superga Snakeskin Lace Up Sneaker
Dr. Martens 1460 Pascal Lace Up Boot
If you’re lucky enough to be going to one of these festivals, you better make SURE your outfit is Instagram perfection. Look, just because I don’t want to see your ferris wheel pics doesn’t mean I don’t want to see your outfit, especially if it’s a good one. Like, I know the whole reason you’re even going to the festival in the first place is for the Insta content, so just stay away from these overdone festival trends and I may actually throw you a like. I think that’s fair.
Images: @globelet / Unsplash; Forever 21; Free People (3); Revolve (9); South Moon Under (2)
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