The Fashion Survival Guide

Get insider tips on what to bring and how to make the most out of your festival experience. We’ve teamed up with our favorite fashion bloggers to bring you the best advice for Coachella 2011. Scroll through the tips or click to the right to download the web-friendly H&M Fashion Survival Guide.

Travel in Pack!

Carpooling to the festival is not only eco friendly, it is WAY more entertaining. While you’re stuck in that inevitable traffic jam getting to the fair grounds, you can turn the car into a mobile party and once you’re at the festival, you’ll have a crew to kick it with.

Bring a bag

You’re going to need both of your hands during Coachella, so we suggest donning a small messenger bag to carry all of your concert essentials (sunscreen, water, phone, camera, and lip gloss). We prefer woven bags over leather for a natural bohemian vibe — they’re also great option if you’re looking to lighten your load.

Denim shorts

Denim shorts are a Coachella necessity I can’t live without. But I’m not talking your high waist super tight daisy dukes. No, I’m talking low slung, loose, and comfortable. And while a breezy dress may keep you cool when you’re walking, you’ll be glad denim shorts keep your music loving butt protected when you’re sitting 1. in line 2. on the grass 3. on someone else’ shoulders
 
To make your own denim shorts, simply take a pair of scissors to your favorite pair of boyfriend jeans.

Meeting spot

Make sure that your entourage has a meeting spot planned if you get split up though—cell service barely works on site so this is totally crucial. Exuberant dressing is encouraged anyhow, so make sure your posse is easy to isolate in a crowd by wearing splashy colors and easy-to-spot styles. This season’s trends like super-bright colors, floppy hats, and bold ’70s prints are great to try out at Coachella and do double duty by making you easy to find by both friends and street style photos alike.

Protect your skin

For hot days keep in mind to protect your skin! The west coast sun is hot hot hot and long days in the sun could be devastating for the skin. Stay in the shadow as much as you can and don’t forget your sunscreen, chic sunnies, and a ray-blocking hat! H&M will provide free Origins sunscreen for all.

Easy breezy dresses

It’s going to be a hot one so we suggest packing a couple of cute easy breezy dresses — we’re currently coveting crochet and florals — for the festivities. They’re easy to pack and takes the worry out of having to think of an “outfit” for the day. Warning: rompers are a cute option, but are also a huge pain to take on and off when using the portable loos!

Accessorize

Have fun with accessories! Coachella rule of thumb is: the crazier, the better. Think neon sunnies, funky belts, oversized jewels, and fresh floppy hats. After all, don’t you want to get snapped?

Photographer: Hasse Nielsen

Dress for the dessert

So what exactly does one wear to an all day concert where desert temperatures skyrocket during the day, then plummet at night? The simple answer: something comfortable that you can groove in, along with a utilitarian jacket with lots of pockets to store all your essentials. Slip on a cross body bag (with fashionable details like fringes or beads) for hands free concert enjoyment.

Photographer: Hasse Nielsen

Shades and hats

Getting prepared for Coachella is so much fun, for three days you’ll be dancing, hanging out and having a blast. Part of the fun is figuring out what to wear, here are some tips for looking chic for the festival. Absolutely do not forget dark sunglasses with UV protection. It’s amazing how bright it gets in the desert, you won’t want to be squinting all day. Your face just might get stuck that way. Light colored floppy hat will protect you from the sun.

Sun dress

Wear a sun dress with pretty print, long enough to sit on the grass. Because it’s hot, you may be tempted to go in a tank top and shorts, but it’s not the best thing to help manage the heat. A dress will allow for air flow with the breeze but will block the sun and help keep you cool.  A mid to long dress will enable you to sit on the grass without flashing your yaya. Yikes! Wear prints because it’s easier to mask grass stains or dirt that might get on the dress through out the day. Besides, it’ll look so cute with a great hat!

Cover yourself

Bring a jacket for the night because temperature drops big time. You’d be surprised how much cooler it gets in the night, especially in early spring. Bring a jacket, you won’t regret it.

Keep your shoes on

Wear shoes that’ll protect your feet from all kinds of festival hazards. There will be crowds dancing, port-a-poties, dirt… A pair of canvas shoes do the trick for the days, and you can find a pair cheap enough not to worry about if they get trashed.

Print and/or lace shorts

Textured and lace shorts are one of the biggest trends for this spring and also happen to be ideal for music fest-appropriate fashion. They’re light, easy to wear and actually become the statement piece in your outfit so you can stick to basics with the rest. We love these lace shorts from H&M’s Conscious Collection, an entire line of light, spring styles they must have created with Coachella in mind.

Boho tops

These are ideal festival-wear since they’re light enough to be worn all day in the blazing sun over a bikini top and flirty enough for the nighttime parties. Once again H&M’s Conscious Collection nails the look you want to go for with these tops.

Stay hydrated

All of that walking and dancing in the sun is going to take a toll on your body, so make sure to drink plenty of water throughout they day. Tip: pay a flat fee for unlimited water throughout the weekend – plus you get a cool free water container! Coachella also offers up a free bottled water for every 10 empty plastic water bottles you bring into the various 10 for 1 recycling centers.

Travel in a Pack!

Carpooling to the festival is not only eco friendly, it is WAY more entertaining. While you’re stuck in that inevitable traffic jam getting to the fair grounds, you can turn the car into a mobile party and once you’re at the festival, you’ll have a crew to kick it with.

By Piera Gelardi, Refinery29

Bring a bag

You’re going to need both of your hands during Coachella, so we suggest donning a small messenger bag to carry all of your concert essentials (sunscreen, water, phone, camera, and lip gloss). We prefer woven bags over leather for a natural bohemian vibe — they’re also great option if you’re looking to lighten your load.

By Chi Chau, FabSugar

Denim Shorts

Denim shorts are a Coachella necessity I can’t live without. But I’m not talking your high waist super tight daisy dukes. No, I’m talking low slung, loose, and comfortable. And while a breezy dress may keep you cool when you’re walking, you’ll be glad denim shorts keep your music loving butt protected when you’re sitting 1. in line 2. on the grass 3. on someone else’ shoulders. To make your own denim shorts, simply take a pair of scissors to your favorite pair of boyfriend jeans.

By Lulu Chang, Luluandyourmom

Plan a meeting spot

Make sure that your entourage has a meeting spot planned if you get split up though—cell service barely works on site so this is totally crucial. Exuberant dressing is encouraged anyhow, so make sure your posse is easy to isolate in a crowd by wearing splashy colors and easy-to-spot styles. This season’s trends like super-bright colors, floppy hats, and bold ’70s prints are great to try out at Coachella and do double duty by making you easy to find by both friends and street style photos alike.

By Piera Gelardi, Refinery29

Protect your skin

For hot days keep in mind to protect your skin! The west coast sun is hot hot hot and long days in the sun could be devastating for the skin. Stay in the shadow as much as you can and don’t forget your sunscreen, chic sunnies, and a ray-blocking hat! H&M will provide free Origins sunscreen for all.

By Claire, Fashionbombdaily.com

Easy breezy dresses

It’s going to be a hot one so we suggest packing a couple of cute easy breezy dresses — we’re currently coveting crochet and florals — for the festivities. They’re easy to pack and takes the worry out of having to think of an “outfit” for the day. Warning: rompers are a cute option, but are also a huge pain to take on and off when using the portable loos!

By Chi Chau, FabSugar

Accessorize

Have fun with accessories! Coachella rule of thumb is: the crazier, the better. Think neon sunnies, funky belts, oversized jewels, and fresh floppy hats. After all, don’t you want to get snapped?

By Chi Chau, FabSugar

Dress for the dessert

So what exactly does one wear to an all day concert where desert temperatures skyrocket during the day, then plummet at night? The simple answer: something comfortable that you can groove in, along with a utilitarian jacket with lots of pockets to store all your essentials. Slip on a cross body bag (with fashionable details like fringes or beads) for hands free concert enjoyment.

By Claire, Fashionbombdaily.com

Shades and hats

Absolutely do not forget dark sunglasses with UV protection. It’s amazing how bright it gets in the desert, you won’t want to be squinting all day. Your face just might get stuck that way. With the rays being so strong, I’ve actually burned my scalp from not wearing a hat in the desert. Not a pretty sight! Straw hats are big this season so it’s easy to get something chic and practical.

By Jennine Jacob, The Coveted

Sun dress

Wear a sun dress with pretty print, long enough to sit on the grass. Because it’s hot, you may be tempted to go in a tank top and shorts, but it’s not the best thing to help manage the heat. A dress will allow for air flow with the breeze but will block the sun and help keep you cool. A mid to long dress will enable you to sit on the grass without flashing your yaya. Yikes! Wear prints because it’s easier to mask grass stains or dirt that might get on the dress through out the day. Besides, it’ll look so cute with a great hat!

By Jennine Jacob, The Coveted

Cover yourself

Bring a jacket for the night because temperature drops big time. You’d be surprised how much cooler it gets in the night, especially in early spring. Bring a jacket, you won’t regret it.

By Jennine Jacob, The Coveted

Keep your shoes on

Wear shoes that’ll protect your feet from all kinds of festival hazards. There will be crowds dancing, port-a-poties, dirt… A pair of canvas shoes do the trick for the days, and you can find a pair cheap enough not to worry about if they get trashed.

By Jennine Jacob, The Coveted

Print and/or lace shorts

Textured and lace shorts are one of the biggest trends for this spring and also happen to be ideal for music fest-appropriate fashion. They’re light, easy to wear and actually become the statement piece in your outfit so you can stick to basics with the rest. We love these lace shorts from H&M’s Conscious Collection, an entire line of light, spring styles they must have created with Coachella in mind.

By Emily Green, Guest of a Guest

Boho tops

These are ideal festival-wear since they’re light enough to be worn all day in the blazing sun over a bikini top and flirty enough for the nighttime parties. Once again H&M’s Conscious Collection nails the look you want to go for with these tops.

By Emily Green, Guest of a Guest

Stay hydrated

All of that walking and dancing in the sun is going to take a toll on your body, so make sure to drink plenty of water throughout they day. Tip: pay a flat fee for unlimited water throughout the weekend – plus you get a cool free water container! Coachella also offers up a free bottled water for every 10 empty plastic water bottles you bring into the various 10 for 1 recycling centers.

By Chi Chau, FabSugar

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