Coachella Cool.

The social networking sites were positively buzzing over last weekend. Why? I hear you ask. Coachella is why. 

There were twitpics of socialites lounging by the pool at the Nylon x Hugo Boss pool party, endless instagramming of fashionistas glowing at the Armani Exchange Neon Carnival and celebrity Facebook statuses about standing in dusty fields watching the like of The Stone Roses, The XX and Benny Benassi. I can barely bring myself to look at the line up. It was THAT good that it's painful to know another year has passed without my attendance. One year I'll be there, rubbing shoulders with the crème de la crème of cool kids, one year....

Whilst I am positively green with envy I cannot help but pour over photos of the style, the scenery and the sets of Coachella. Each year the fashion surpasses itself and each year it dictates what  is worn in the annual festival season. I love festivals and have been a regular festival goer since I was a young'un, my first outing was in 2005 to Reading Festival when I was a mere 14 years of age! At British festivals it is given that you're going to get a little bit grubby, your hair is going to be greasy and those dreams of busting out the sunglasses are as likely as your wellies staying dry and mud-free. None of that with Coachella; held in California, it's all about bronzed limbs, designer clothing and plenty of battery to instagram every minute. 

Boho Bosworth:

Kate Bosworth always hits the nail on the head when it comes to dressing. She doesn't shy away from the high street either, meaning that those who love her look can replicate it! 

The perfect mix of grungy and pretty and excellent attention to detail, Kate's Coachella wardrobe is simply sublime!

Get The Look:

Kate's scallop edged matching top 'n' shorts set is from Topshop. The tan accessories make it festival friendly and the aviators add even more cool. 

Topshop have plenty of similar pieces such as this white laser cut playsuit and scalloped shorts. These Topshop Apollo boots come in a gorgeous rose colour, a  little different from the usual tan! The Monki 'Amelia' top has scallop detail, a cropped fit aaaand laser cut detail at the bottom, available from the their website at a mere £8. Yup, EIGHT POUNDS STERLING. Bargain.

Kate's second Coachello look was a wonderful mix of peek-a-boo lace, boho accessories and badass boots. Again, Topshop serves up some pieces that are perfect for copying Kate's eclectic look. The harness body is perfect for vamping it up a bit.




The contrast between the long, midi hemline of Kate's skirt and the lace detail means just the right amount of leg is on show. Topshop have plenty of alternatives, this tapestry tube skirt injects some colour into the outfit with the pink and red roses. This white fringed waistcoat from New Look and green and gold detail belt from River Island are similar to Kate's western inspired accessories.

I could happily own all three pairs of these boots from Topshop. Buckles, studs, cut-out detail, they would be right at home at Coachella. Topshop Advance boots are a bit of western, cowboy styled, whereas the Anna boots have a more vintage, Victorian era inspired look, the buckles are a particularly nice touch and the Arabel boots are a bit more punky with the studs. These boots toughen up the body and lace skirt combo, ensuring it isn't too girly.

Pretty Perry Prints:

How amazing did Katy Perry look at Coachella? It's nice to see her looking so relaxed and happy. Her D&G get up was absolutely amazing and the blue hues of the paisley Helmut Lang dress really complimented her dark hair. Her white platform heels are from ASOS no less!

Always choosing quirky pieces, Katy's style is eclectic but feminine, appreciating those wonderful curves of hers.

Get The Look:

Go for fun, retro inspired shapes and prints to channel your inner Katy Perry. Kelly Brook for New Look offers this 50s pin up inspired bralet and shorts set and Topshop's Hawaiian print sundress is definitely on my wish list; the cut-out detail gives it the illusion of a crop top but without feeling too exposed and the print is great! 

Topshop have many crop top and shorts/skirt sets, such as this paisley one, but if you don't want to be too matchy matchy try going the other way and clash prints. There are endless printed bralets/crop tops and shorts/skirts on the high street so go and mix 'n' match! A tip for clashing prints is try and find pieces with matching palettes, that way the pattern will clash but not the colour.

Paisley is one of the hottest prints for summer! Wear this Warehouse blue paisley playsuit to copy Katy's other Coachella look. Staring At Stars has this beautiful paisley dress in the sale (so be sure to snap it up!), similar to Katy's relaxed boho influences. Pair either of these pieces with statement earrings, such as these contrasting colour stone flower earrings from Topshop, or these colourful parrot earrings from Accessorize.

Retro Rita:

I adore Rita's style. It's unpredictable, it's edgy and it always works. Her various Coachella looks were as varied as we'd expect from Rita and she polished each look off with her trademark red lips!

Get The Look: 

Burger And Friends have many tops befitting of Rita's angsty yet apt "Adults suck then you are one" tee. Either go with a tee, a vest top or in true Rita style a cropped top. Monki's gem Katy tee adds a bit of colour and bling to an outfit, it's pretty versatile so it'll go with anything!

L-R: Topshop kissing giraffe skirt; Topshop fluro pink skirt; Monki 'Kimmie' skirt; Monki 'Lillian' skirt

Match your top of choice with some statement skirts a la Rita! For her second look I personally would have worn the skirt on the waist but with those toned abs, who can blame her for wanting to show off?! Topshop offers some fun prints, like this kissing giraffe skirt and Monki's 'Lillian' skirt has an interesting print. Go for neon brights with the 'Kimmie' skirt from Monkie or this fluro pink Topshop skater skirt. Try this River Island beaded bodycon dress or this ASOS abstract print midi bodycon dress for her performance look.

For accessories think chunky chains, best found at Urban Outfitters, and Rihanna for River Island's collection offers some great pieces, like this tattoo pendant trucker hat. And those coveted Stella McCartney shoes that Rita can't stop instagramming? Get your own pair, courtesy of Topshop.

Now it's time to look at some of the more general trends at Coachella, rocked by the coolest and best dressed celebrities around

It's Suuuuuuuuuuunny!

Every year I try and convince myself that I don't need anymore sunglasses. Then every year a new batch of them come out and I just can't resist! This year was no exception and the sunglasses have definitely been promoted from mere accessory to the talking point of an outfit.

I love AnnaSophia Robb's Coachella style, it wasn't too try hard and it scored her some serious style points. Her sunglasses are amazing!! And luckily for us, there are plenty to choose from on the high street.

L-R: Topshop jewelled sunglasses; Urban Outfitters gem sunglasses; Urban Outfitters floral applique sunglasses; ASOS flower and bug detail sunglasses; ASOS black rose detail sunglasses.

Nylon magazine also has available on its online the 'Betty' sunglasses, round sunglasses adorned with blue flowers and ASOS has floral detail sunnies in various colour combinations. 

I can't mention flower adorned or gem encrusted sunglasses without mentioning A-Morir. Never has a designer made sunglasses such a statement before. Whether it's a cute floral pair, a Great Gatsby-esque diamante set or a retro cat eye pair, they are all beautiful and innovative. I remember Lanvin's embellished sunglasses in their S/S 2009 collection and from then on embellishment was not just for clothing. If you don't want to spend a fortune on the real deal and you want to avoid the queues in the high street shops then Nylon magazine offers a great DIY alternative, a chance to make a truly unique pair of sunnies!

I swooned when pictures surfaced of Alexa, Pixie and co at Coachella. As if the weather and poolside location wasn't enough, the girls then had to go and look just bloody marvelous. I am still trying to get over how much I adore Alexa's LLD and Pixie's pixie haircut and 60s style was oh so chic. Zara has a great alternative for Pixie's red dress, found here. Wearing pieces from the new eye wear collection by their friend, Henry Holland, they looked incredible!

The Celine Audrey sunglasses, as worn by pretty much everyone who's anyone, are inspired by one of the most iconic women in fashion and film; Audrey Hepburn, particularly her role in Breakfast At Tiffany's. Many try and few can pull off the effortless sophistication of Hepburn but with these sunglasses you can let out your inner Audrey!

THE sunglasses of Summer 2013

There are loads of cat eye shaped sunglasses on the high street, you can go for classic black or for a more fun print. Or both, if you're as indecisive as me...Accessorize have a particularly good copy of the Celine sunglasses that I am desperate to get hold of. Race you to the shops.

L-R: Topshop eared sunglasses; Topshop eyelash detail sunglasses; Topshop striped sunglasses; Urban Outfitters leopard print sunglasses

Last of the key sunglasses style is the round 70s sunnies. With quirky detail or contrasting frames these sunglasses are far from dull.

L-R: Topshop preppy sunglasses; Topshop round cat eye sunglasses; Urban Outfitters Spitfire Hi Teque sunglasses; Wild Fox Bel Air sunglasses

Club Tropicana 

Summer festival fashion is about prints. Floral, tropical, animal. Anything that alludes to the exotic, that evokes warmth and sunshine and fun. With the resurrection of 90s fashion, palm trees, dolphins and fishnet have been making a comeback and the result is colourful and wonderful. 

The Trousers: Desiree Trousers from Monki

The Dolphin Top: Agnes Tee from Monki

The Palm Tree Top: Agnes Tee from Monki

The Vest: Flamingo Vest from H&M

The Shorts: Tropical Netting shorts from Spikes and Seams

Topshop's bright yellow top with gem detail is more sophisticated approach to the tropicana trend, it can be dressed up with contrasting black tapered trousers or down with denim cut offs. The 'Bang' motif tee is fun, the contrasting black and faded prints is reminiscent of the 90s.

The Cream of the Crop

Ireland Baldwin and Alessandra Ambrosio rocked the crop top look at Coachella, completing their look with statement sunglasses, denim short shorts and some great head gear. 

Clockwise from left:

Drew Crop Top in Chili from Nylon shop, found here

Stacey X Back Tank in Leaf Peach from Nylon shop, found here

Brasilia Crop tee from H&M, found here

Devon Bralet from Monki, shop here

Get Alessandra's exact neon jewel aliceband from Topshop, here and copy Ireland's knotted headband look with a retro lipstick print headband, here, or a tie dye version, here, both from Topshop.

Who Wears Short Shorts?

L-R: Miranda Kerr, Alessandra Ambrosio & Candice Swanepoel

These girls certainly look like they're having fun! Miranda has gone for a rocky edge in leather shorts, Alessandra goes a bit boho with her embroidered pair and Candice channels some western style with her dark denim cut offs.

Left to Right:

Smiley Destroyed shorts, available from Burger and Friends

Candy Girl shorts by Spikes and Seams, get them here

Rosa shorts by Spikes and Seams, available here

Animal print shorts from Topshop, get them here

Leather hotpants from Topshop, in the sale so get 'em quick!

Leather Lining shorts here

Diane Kruger is one of fashion's darlings. She looks as stylish on the red carpet as she does shopping and this year's Coachella festival was just another example of her great sense of style! Grab your own pair of her monochrome aztec shorts from H&M, here, for a mere £12.99. Don't mind if I do.

For the ultimate cool shorts about town be sure to check out Bambi & Manson. I'm so proud to say that Bambi & Manson is a British born and bred company! They've even got a collaboration with True Religion for the one and only Selfridges. I predict it will sell out almost instantaneously  Limited edition, custom made shorts with every kind of embellishment, fabric and colour means that you really are in for a unique experience. Everyone should want to be a Bamgirl; fashionable, fearless and above all fun!

Flower Power!

Bella Thorne, AnnaSophia Robb and Vanessa Hudgens were just a handful of the girls whose heads were adorned with wreaths of flowers. Whether you go for a subtle band of flowers or a statement garland wear with quirky accessories and a smile.

The red and white oversized garlands are from Topshop; the middle 'Enchantment Crown' is available online from Nylon magazine's shop, here.

This beautiful headband from J'adore Vintage is perfect for channeling your inner flower child, find it here. J'adore Vintage is a wonderful vintage shopping site; they have various style collections as well as every category possible for vintage clothing, not to mention an incredible street style section! The prices are great and the pieces are truly unique, you'd be silly not to take a peek! 

As I finish this post the sun is shining, my summer wish list is growing longer and there are some great DIY projects I can't wait to get on with. I hope this post has inspired you as much as the Coachella fashion inspired me!

CLB x