From Roskilde to the California Desert — My Festival Dream

I’ve been to some of Europe’s wildest and most iconic music festivals — Roskilde Festival here in Denmark, and Glastonbury across the water in the UK. The music is incredible, but what really stays with me are the people, the outfits, the energy. You know that feeling when creativity takes over a crowd?

But still, there’s one festival I’ve never been to (yet) that sits right at the top of my list: Coachella.

It’s not just about the music. Coachella is this surreal blend of sun, sound, and self-expression — like someone mixed a runway show with a desert art installation. Every year, I scroll through photos of people in bold, layered outfits that somehow look both post-apocalyptic and effortlessly cool. And this year, Coachella 2025 gave us something special: the rebirth of indie sleaze, DIY style, and an unapologetic love for vintage chaos.

The Return of Indie Sleaze

If you remember the Tumblr era of the late 2000s and early 2010s — think Sky Ferreira, American Apparel, flash photography, ripped tights, smudged eyeliner — congratulations, you’re officially in the aesthetic sweet spot of 2025. Indie sleaze is back, and Coachella was the proof.

But this time, it’s not nostalgia for nostalgia’s sake. The new indie sleaze is more intentional, more gender-fluid, and more focused on personal narrative. It’s not about wearing what’s trending — it’s about wearing what tells your story.

The DIY Renaissance

One of the most exciting things I noticed from the style coverage this year was the amount of handmade, upcycled, and reworked clothing on display. It’s a direct contrast to the heavily branded, polished looks of Coachella a few years back.

Festivalgoers wore:

Thrifted lingerie tops as outerwear
Patchwork denim with visible stitches and seams
Ripped band tees turned into crop tops or layered over slip dresses
Mesh and lace mixed with cowboy boots and vintage leather

It was chaotic. It was imperfect. It was beautiful.

This DIY attitude feels right at home for someone like me — a vintage nerd who believes the past is full of style lessons we’re just now remembering. There’s something deeply satisfying about seeing people choose clothes that mean something, that carry stories, and that make the person wearing them feel something.

Fashion Over Fame — Finally

One of the things that always drew me to Coachella — even from a distance — is how the visual aesthetic has always been almost as important as the lineup. But this year, it was different.

In past years, it was about influencer perfection: branded content, pristine white boots, choreographed fringe jackets. But in 2025? It felt like we broke out of that. The style was messy again — the kind of messy that feels like freedom.

There were fewer logos and more personality. More layering. More randomness. More of that "I found this in a thrift store in New Mexico" energy. That’s the kind of fashion I live for.

What the Artists Wore

The performers themselves were just as plugged into this vibe:

One of the breakout indie bands wore vintage Adidas tracksuits with sequined tops underneath.
A solo artist paired a torn prom dress with Dr. Martens and a leather biker jacket from the '80s.
Even the DJs and electronic acts ditched the flashy techwear in favor of vintage windbreakers and thrifted tees.

It all felt more accessible, more honest. As if artists are reminding us they’re fans of music and fashion too — not just personas with stylists.

Coachella as a Visual Playground

From what I’ve seen (and saved) this year, the photos from Coachella 2025 look like someone handed a bunch of art school kids a vintage camcorder and a bunch of glitter and said “go make something.” There’s grain, blur, odd lighting, and outfits that feel like memories.

Even though I wasn't there in person, it felt familiar. That mix of freedom, chaos, heat, dust, and pure aesthetic effort reminds me of my favorite moments at Roskilde — when the sun sets just right, the speakers are shaking the ground, and someone walks by in an outfit that feels like a scene from a film.

This Was the Year Coachella Dressed Like It Meant It

So, here’s my takeaway from Coachella 2025: fashion is back in the hands of the people. The indie sleaze revival isn’t just a trend — it’s a statement. It’s a rejection of polished perfection. It’s a return to expression.

And whether you're dancing in the desert or scrolling from Denmark like I am, there’s inspiration in the layers, in the rips, in the chaos.

Here’s to the power of a good outfit — even if it’s made from three old shirts and a safety pin.