It's that time of year again: Coachella 2023 is about to take over both Indio, California, and all of our social media feeds. If you're lucky enough to be catching Frank Ocean's Coachella 2023 performance in real life, you're likely wondering how to pack for the desert music festival. Look no further, because Teen Vogue editors have you covered.
This year's Coachella lineup features headlining performances from Bad Bunny, BLACKPINK, and Frank Ocean, in addition to shows we can't wait to see from Ethel Cain, Shenseea, Flo Milli, Boygenius, and so many more. The sold-out weekend 1 spans April 14-16, while weekend 2 tickets are still available for April 21-23. And as any Coachella-goer knows, it's not just hot day performances you have to dress for — it's also cool desert nights, pool parties, and treks through the dusty outdoors.
Related: How to Live Stream Coachella 2023
Below, find out what to wear to Coachella, including essentials, statement items, and can't miss performances. Don't forget your sunscreen!
P. Claire Dodson, Senior Culture Editor
The Essentials: It's my second Coachella, and I feel like I've learned some vital lessons from my first go-round in 2019 — the first is that there's no substitute for comfort. I'll be swapping between my embroidered Hoka Bondi sneakers and a pair of comfy black cowboy boots for festival stomping, and adding some Bella Hadid-inspired platform UGGs for nighttime coziness. See also: a roomy black cross-body bag from Zara, pull-on cargo pants from ASOS, and a few bottles of Electrolit (which the brand sent to the Teen Vogue offices a couple weeks ago) to achieve maximum hydration.
The Statement Item: This fun aquatic vibe maxi mesh dress from Eloquii, paired with Girlfriend Collective bike shorts for a perfect no-chafe day party to festival look.
The Makeup Bag Must-Have: Glossier Invisible Shield sunscreen, and a Lip Jelly from Tower 28 — glossy, moisturized, low-maintenance lips only this weekend.
The Vital Coachella 2023 Performance: southern gothic goddess Ethel Cain
Honestine Fraser, Senior Social Media Manager
The Essentials: I have curly hair, and when the desert heat gets mixed in I don’t really know what I’m going to get! I’m taking Rizo’s Curls travel kit trio with me, which comes with hydrating shampoo, deep conditioner, and curl defining cream. I love taking the kit with me whenever I travel because curly products usually aren’t travel-friendly and they do a great job at keeping my curls in tact. And since we’re going to be in the sun all weekend, wearing shorts and flowy skirts is a must. But that unfortunately means that I’ll be dealing with thigh chafing, so I’m making sure I don’t forget to pack my Megababe thigh rescue anti-friction stick! If you struggle with chafing, this is such a godsend and lasts for hours!
The Statement Item: I’m going for comfy and cute this weekend and have really been into skirts lately. I just got a flowy floral maxi skirt from NastyGal that I’m planning to pair with a white tank and a pair of NakedWolfe shoes from their festival collection for a boho-inspired look!
The Makeup Bag Must-Have: I’m keeping my makeup minimal since I’ll probably be sweating most of the weekend, but my absolute must-have is CeraVe’s hydrating mineral tinted sunscreen. It lasts for hours and doesn’t feel too heavy on my face! I’ll also be taking Fenty Beauty’s Gloss Bomb Lip Luminizer for a little something extra!
The Vital Coachella 2023 Performance: I absolutely cannot wait to cry while watching Frank Ocean on Sunday.
Karissa Mitchell, Senior Style Editor
The Essentials: It's my first-ever Coachella, so I'm going into it with only two expectations: incredible scenery and a good time! That said, all I have to do is ensure I feel comfortable in these new spaces. And who knows me better than Karissa, right?! So, one thing's for sure — I need my AirPod Max Headphones. My headphones are my comfort zone/safety blanket; I need them for mental privacy on the go. I also need my Rhode Peptide Lip Treatment for juicy lips mid desert, a disposable camera (bc they don't *suddenly* run out of storage), a couple bottles of Electrolit, and last but not least — my Jaded London Ecru Parachute cargos.
The Statement Item: This ITMFL Crystal Mesh Top for drama and fantasy!
The Makeup Bag Must-Have: I absolutely need my Mario Badescu Rosewater. I can't start my day without her. A spray to my face and the hair to seal in moisture.
The Vital Coachella 2023 Performance: I've never seen Frank Ocean or GloRilla perform, so I'm excited to cross that off the bucket list.
Fortesa Latifi, Features Contributor
The Essentials: I haven’t been to Coachella since 2015 (!!!) and I’m honestly kind of nervous. I’m definitely going old-school and bringing a pair of low-top Converse and my trusty Birkenstocks. I’ll leave the other shoe looks up to the fashion girlies. I’m also making sure I have bottles of Electrolit on deck for my hydration needs. If you look in my cross-body bag, you’ll also find my AirPod Pros so I can turn on noise-cancelling when the concerts get wild and of course, Glossier’s balm dotcom. I’ll also have a little bag of assorted medications because as a chronically ill person, I always have to be ready.
The Statement Item: My older sister, who has a closet full of everything you could ever need, decided to give me a Rag and Bone crossbody that she bought two years ago and has only used once. That’s good, because I can always use one of her hand-me-down bags until I can grab the vintage Chanel tote that I’ve been eyeing.
The Makeup Bag Must-Have: Too Faced fluff & fold laminating brow wax and Too Faced lip injection plumping gloss so I can pretend I have laminated brows and fuller lips.
The Vital Coachella 2023 Performance: As the sad girlie I am, it’s gotta be Frank Ocean followed by boygenius!
Emily Malan, Photographer
The Essentials: A mask or bandana, since it gets super windy and dusty; my Chibi sunglasses from Brain Dead; a Levi's trucker jacket and Madewell slip dress; phone charger; Nalgene resuable water bottle; tote bag; and a disposable camera.
The Statement Item: Vans Old Skool sneakers
The Makeup Bag Must-Have: Glossier balm dotcom, Mega Babe anti-chafe thigh cream, Supergoop glow sunscreen
The Vital Coachella 2023 Performance: The headliners! Frank Ocean, Bad Bunny, and BLACKPINK. Plus The Linda Lindas, since we did a shoot with them last year, and they get better and better every time I see them live.
