I Just Got Back From Coachella—Here's Everything I Wore and Did as a First-Timer

Let me begin by saying I am not a festival girlie. Between sweating in the desert heat, walking thousands of steps, and navigating through massive crowds, I've never had the urge to jet off to Coachella myself. Not to mention, as someone whose style leans more classic and modern—with the occasional bold pop—festival fashion is not my strong suit.

However, I am a down-to-hang-in-VIP-for-good-music kind of girl. What's more, I have a lifelong case of Bieber fever, so this year was certainly the time for me to cross Coachella off my bucket list. And thanks to Marriott Bonvoy, I experienced just that with true VIP access. Other things I was excited for? Styling festival-friendly outfits that still felt like me, enjoying some of my favorite pop acts in one place, and getting a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the celebrity and influencer madness that surrounds the festival.

Still sleep-deprived from my whirlwind weekend days later, I can't say I would do it all over again, but I'll cherish the once-in-a-lifetime experience for years to come. Ahead, see everything I packed, wore, and saw at Coachella for the latest edition of Travel InStyle.

How I Got There

Through Marriott Bonvoy's Moments program, members can use their accumulated points to bid on or buy exclusive experiences like concerts and sporting events. The platform recently launched 1-Point Drops packages in February for select festivals—with these, one point can get you VIP access to a festival like Coachella and Stagecoach, which is what I got to experience this past weekend. My Moments VIP package included an artist guest pass (one tier above VIP). That got me into exclusive areas of the festival, including dedicated viewing pits and limited back-of-house spaces. The platform will also roll out 1-Point Drops for the All Points East and Rock en Seine festivals in London and Paris, respectively, this June and July.

Once I secured my wristband, I headed to our fabulous digs in Old Las Palmas near downtown Palm Springs. Bookable via Homes & Villas by Marriott Bonvoy, the house was about 30 minutes away from the festival grounds in Indio. With its private pool and scenic views of the mountains, it served as a relaxing oasis away from the chaos of the festival.

What I Wore

I'm usually a confident packer, but I was intimidated by the task of styling outfits for Coachella, particularly because my personal style doesn't quite resonate with festival fashion. But after experiencing the grounds firsthand, my advice is simple: Wear whatever festival style means to you, and put comfort and layers first. That's the approach I took, and I was pleased with the results.

Musts include loose, light fabrics that let you move freely, footwear that's both elevated from the ground and comfortable to dance and walk miles in, and versatile scarves or bandanas for pops of color and practicality (the desert winds are no joke).

A Vintage Set and Moto Boots

For day one, I chose a pink Dior 2005 monogram logo tank covered in cherries and florals, paired with a Galliano-era Dior miniskirt in a similar shade. I borrowed both pieces from Isle of Monday, a new rental platform with an impressive curation of luxury vintage and rare archival pieces that you can rent on demand. Since the logomania did the talking, I kept my accessories to a minimum and edged up the outfit with multi-buckle moto boots from ASOS, a sequined Urban Outfitters head scarf, and my trusty Prada sunglasses. I tossed my J. Crew drawstring pouch bag—which became my festival must-have—over my shoulder to complete the look.

A Boho Chic Poncho With Micro Shorts

My outfit for day two was definitely the most festival-coded. (Polka dots, cowboy boots, and boho touches were some of the few trends I spotted again and again throughout the weekend.) Over a simple bandeau top, I wore a cool, asymmetric semi-sheer poncho, low-rise polka dot micro shorts, and a Western-inspired wrap belt, all from Free People. The poncho proved to be a versatile hero. Ahead of Justin Bieber's set, I threw a vintage merch T-shirt over my top and repurposed the poncho as a head scarf as the night got chilly. On my feet were tall Miron Crosby cowboy boots adorned with the brand's signature heart design, and on my neck, an oversized floral pendant from Topshop.

A Bubble Dress and Baseball Cap

When I first saw Margot Robbie wearing this With Jéan bubble dress last month, I immediately put it on my theoretical Coachella mood board. As festival goers are understandably exhausted by the time day three rolls around, the outfits tend to be a lot more casual. This strapless minidress with a built-in buckle detail was an easy choice for my day three outfit. I zhuzhed up the look with my pink MoMA NY Yankees hat and a Zimmermann silk printed headscarf. For jewelry, I layered a few delicate necklaces, including a Stone Fruit bolo chain with smoky quartz.

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What I Saw

Of course, hopping from stage to stage to listen to headlining and up-and-coming acts alike was the main priority. While I was so excited to see performances by Sabrina Carpenter, KATSEYE, Addison Rae, Laufey, and more, I can't explain how special it was to experience Bieberchella. As the OG Belieber, watching my favorite artist pay homage to his past self and having so much fun doing it was unforgettable. And yes, his vocals were even better live.

But aside from the music, there was so much to explore on the festival grounds. In between priority sets, I recommend doing a lap of the many brand activations—some of which are actually fun and offer great swag.

Take the Campground: The Postcard Cabin, for example, which is a pop-up for Marriott Bonvoy and American Express card members that offers a reprieve from the chaos. While you can find cabin games and postcards (that can be mailed for you) there during the entire festival, each day offers new freebies: On Thursday, there are "just in case" cases with last-minute festival essentials like sunscreen and eye masks; Friday, face gems, glitter, and hair accessories for added sparkle; Starbucks coffees on Saturday to give you a boost of energy; and skin-care products on Sunday to support your post-festival recovery.

And recovery was certainly necessary after a weekend filled with great music, iconic celebrity sightings, noteworthy fashion, and overall elite vibes.