Fashion

Coachella Outfits That'll Keep You Cool In The Sun

by Tyler Atwood

To voluntarily venture into any desert location is to leave matters of temperature regulation in the hands of fate. Deciding what to wear to Coachella can be an especially daunting feat: On no other occasion is temperature more of a toss-up than the lengthy, UV-drenched days of Coachella, when water is decidedly not the most abundant beverage on tap and shade is a scarce resource. However, by dressing appropriately for the weather and the festivities, you can manage to maintain your internal temperature at a more pleasant level and still look the part of a Coachella bohemian.

When dressing for the arid, stifling climate of Coachella, the key is to simultaneously protect your visage from the sun and allow your skin to breathe in cool, breezy layers. Attempting to sport a bulky flared skirt or fitted skinny jeans are rookie mistakes destined to culminate in disaster, if not a trip to the hospital for dehydration due to excessive perspiration. Leave your formal office attire for another day and reach for relaxed, unfussy pieces rendered in natural fibers. And above all, keep a handheld fan or your beloved Caudalie Beauty Elixir spray bottle at the ready for unexpected swooning spells. Read on for five literally and figuratively cool Coachella ensembles.

1. Southern Comfort

Beautiful Halo Button Top, $16.21/ Abercrombie & Fitch Floral Maxi Skirt, $20 / Tory Burch Cross-Body, $495 / Jules Smith Stacking Rings, $59 / Rag & Bone Fedora, $195 / Embroidered Fan, $3.95

Keep your cool both sartorially and physically in an ethereal maxi skirt and knotted, sleeveless chambray button down rendered in shades of periwinkle and steel blue. A simple fedora and fan will serve to keep the sun from scorching your skin.

2. Selfie Style

Victoria's Secret Flounce Tank, $24.95 / Sheinside Tribal Skirt, $12.67 / Burlington Gladiator Sandal Booties, $22.99 / Torrid Selfie Paris Clutch, $18.50 / Guess Olivia Gold Collar Necklace, $29 / Saint Laurent Paris Sunglasses, $345 / Caudalie Beauty Elixir, $18

A pleated mini skirt, draped crop top, and gladiator sandals are ideal for braving the searing Coachella sun. Keep tinted sunglasses and a refreshing facial mist close at hand for added protection.

3. Gingham Glamour

Chicnova Lace Shorts, $17.40 / Dolce & Gabbana Gingham Bikini Top, $345 / Nastydress Color Block Sandals, $30.50 / Lacambra Tassel Clutch, $94.34 / Diane von Furstenberg 440 Bangle Bracelet, $78 / Saint Laurent Mirrored Sunglasses, $325

Embrace summer's sartorial selections in an on-trend gingham bikini top and embroidered shorts paired with leg-lengthening color blocked heels. Any Coachella attendee will tell you that a bikini is a universally accepted form of festival attire. Add a pair of cream-colored sunglasses and a simple clutch for increased allure.

4. Sueded Suave

Chelsea Flower Crepe Top, $125 / Zara Suede Cutout Shorts, $129 / Calypso St. Barth Tahira Booties, $255 / Gigi New York Madison Crossbody Bag, $198 / Rag & Bone Fedora, $195

Step into the '70s with a pair of ankle booties and suede shorts to match. When worn with a silken crop top and a neutral fedora, the pairing is both heatproof and effortlessly glamorous.

5. Floral Femininity

Choies Floral Cami Top, $16.99 / Guess High-Rise Denim Cutoff Shorts, $59.50 / Carmelinas Ana Ankle Boots, $270 / Neiman Marcus Made In Italy Crossbody Bag, $108.50 / Katy Perry Aztec Print Wayfarer Sunglasses, $14 / Texsport Mini Camping Fan, $19.99

Strap on a mini portable fan in a shade that matches your ensemble, and you'll be set to dance for days at Coachella. The addition of a floral camisole and denim cutoffs make the look festival-worthy.

Images: Polyvore