Coachella Weekend One Streetstyle: A Throwback to the Early '00s
The first weekend of Coachella 2022 saw the whos who of fashion congregating in the California desert after a two year hiatus and there was a clear trend when it came to their outfits. From models Elsa Hosk and Sara Sampaio to Instagram darlings Tezza Barton, Leonie Hanne and Veronica Ferraro the street style and festival fashion showcased a smorgasbord of nostalgic, Y2k inspired looks.
Pop Princess
Taking inspiration from the "it" girls of the early 00s, Portuguese supermodel Sara Sampaio and style influencers Leonie Hanne and Danielle Bernstine channeled pop princesses, Britney Spears and Christian Aguilera.
Hanne's purple and orange 70s-esque ensemble was reminiscent of Britney Spears' iconic red carpet outfit that she wore to the 2000 Billboard Music Awards. Spears' look featured a bikini top and booty shorts under a purple and orange, tie-dye duster teamed with a matching fedora and elaborately beaded choker. Hanne's dreamy bellbottoms mimicked the tie-dye with a psychedelic, 70s retro feel, wavy vertical pattern that hinted at the popular, Y2k swirl print, while the vibrant, purple and orange colour combination was characteristic of the popular, bright, youthful hues often seen in early 00s aesthetics. She paired the statement pants with a nude-toned tube top and floaty, longline orange cardigan to match. Instead of a choker accessory, Hanne went all out boho-chic, accessorising with a gold-tone body chain.
Model Sara Sampaio went for the classic Y2k low-slung jean look, channeling 2001 Christina Aguilera. Instead of patchwork jeans, Sampaio went for a stylish, floral dotted jeans for a lighter, Cali-girl vibe, pairing it with a light tan crop top with long sleeves and totally early 00s, O-ring detail. Sampaio also opted for similar accessories as Aguleria but put her own, festival fashion twist on it. She accessorised the look with a belly chain, opting for baroque pearls instead of gold. The irregular-shaped pearls added to the breezy, nature-inspired bohemian vibe. A matching choker necklace and gold, layered chain drop earrings dotted with similar pearls completed the look.
All Denim
As far as iconic early 00s looks go, it is hard to forget bubblegum pop darling, Britney Spears' full-length, all-denim gown she wore to the 2001 American Music Awards. The strapless, deep sweetheart, corset-style bodice dress was teamed with a statement crystal choker, low-slung blend matching denim evening bag encrusted with bling. The 'it" girls of today have modernised the denim on denim look, injecting it with a dose of festival fashion flair and without losing the essence of the era.
Style influencers Tessa Barton, Rianne Meijer and Danielle Berstein of WeWoreWhat as well as Australian model Shanina Shaik were all seen in all-denim ensembles with a Cali-cool, Indio Valley twist.
The sultry desert heat calls for crop tops, and this was the go-to in the denim on denim looks, teamed with all the American, blue jeans. Lighter-hued blues were the wash of choice with the denim-on-denim looks, opting for a lighter, brighter wash helps create that Y2k vibe. Shaik and Bernstein both opted for barlette denim tops, perfect for combating the heat, Shaik accessorised with chunky brass-toned hoop earrings for an early 00s hip-hop edge and Bernstein, with a vivid, pistachio green shoulder back that screamed of the early 00s. Meijer went full-on bubblegum pop with her look, opting for a butterfly crop halter and low rise jeans.
Barton's look, on the other hand, was a nod to the desert and the Old West, sporting a short, lace-up front, denim corset top and mid-waisted jeans, a fresh, contemporary take on the corsetted dresses that were popular attire for women in Old Western films. For a touch of 00s pop-star glam, Barton channeled Britney, accessorising with a pearl choker for a little bling.
The Baby Spice Look
Soft, cotton candy pinks, powder and sky blues and platform sneakers, the Baby Spice look was all the rage back in the early 00s, just about everyone wanted to channel their inner Emma Bunton. Today's fashionistas are still loving the look as well as they adapted the style for the first Coachella 2022 weekend.
Swedish model Elsa Hosk was seen in a sugary pink, semi-sheer ruffle crop top and denim mini skirt. Accessorised with black boots and a Dior shoulder bag, the delightfully girlish look mixed the early 00s Baby Spice aesthetic with California desert chic.
Fashion influencers Tessa Barton and Jestinna Kuan also opted for pastel, candy-toned pinks teamed with lighter blues. Tessa went full-on Baby Spice, teaming white, platform sneakers with a sparkly, aqua blue mini skirt and knit top and cardigan twinset while Kuan paired light blue denim shorts with a pink bralette top and a matching, fur-trimmed, sheer duster. The lightness of the sheer fabric lifted the heavier denim, teamed with white, cowboy boots, the unique pairing created a fun mix of Baby Spice meets the Old West.
Barbie World
Candylicious fuschia and bubblegum pinks, the Barbie Girl look personifies the early 00s with colours that instantly take you back to the era. "It" girls of the age like Paris Hilton and American girl group Destiny's Child were known to sport the iconic, pink-hued Barbie look that was heavily replicated at Coachella this year by some of today's hottest names in fashion.
Former Victoria's Secret Angles, Romee Strijd Josephine Skriver and Alessandra Ambrosio were all spotted in the vivid Barbie pink. Strijd was the epitome of Beverly Hills Barbie, in a post captioned "In a Barbie World." Her monochrome look featured a twinset that comprised of a crop top with button details and fitted mini skirt. She accessorised the look with oval Cateye sunglasses that felt reminiscent of the doll's accessories and a matching pink shoulder bag that tied the whole look together.
Ambrosio went boho-barbie with a lightweight, knit jumpsuit that featured sheer panels, cutout sides and a festival must-have, bralette style top. Accessorised with layered necklaces and neon pink sunglasses, a large, statement-making fringe bag with circular mirror and pom-pom details added to the boho vibe. Style influencer Danielle Bernstein was also spotted in similar, neon pink sunglasses that evoked that "plastic Barbie Doll" feel. Her edgier Punk-Barbie look featured pink and chocolate brown plaid pants and a crystal-encrusted, matching bra top that screamed of Y2k pop star. She completed the look with a fuschia shoulder bag, silver choker, hoop earrings and crystal hair accessories for extra pop star vibes.
00s Grunge
Acid-washed denim, retro-feel graphics tops and chokers, Brazillian model Gizele Oliveira and Australian Model Shanina Shiak channel 00's Shakira at Coachella 2022. Shiak wore a sporty-retro t-shirt style corset top with a deep sweetheart neckline and relaxed fit, grey acid-washed jeans. Hinting at the 90s and early 00s R&B street-style culture, she accessorised with large, hoop earrings and added a touch of contemporary, model-off-duty by slicking her hair back in a tight bun. Oliveria put a modern spin on the 00s grunge look, pairing a BTS graphic print tee with light wash denim shorts that featured a totally Y2k, diamante outlined butterfly cutout that perfectly complimented her thick, sparkly statement choker necklace. She added a touch of edgy, desert-glam by completing the look with glossy, knee-high boots that featured a square-ish toe, reminiscent of western cowboy boots.
