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    Coachella's ultimate A-list festival style icons

    Festival season is upon us officially as Coachella has started. We take a look back at the best ever festival fashion from the sun-soaked festival.

    By Marie Claire
    Published 11 April 2016 In Features

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    Alexa Chung 2013
    Alexa Chung 2013
    (Image credit: Rex Features (Shutterstock))
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    Festival season is upon us officially as Coachella has started. We take a look back at the best ever festival fashion from the sun-soaked festival.

    Hold on to your denim shorts, festival season is upon us once again as a summer of rock n roll, burnt falafel burgers and defining fashion moments kicks off with the star-studded American fest, Coachella.

    The Californian festival always kicks off the beginning of a long summer of festivals and has fast become a celeb favourite thanks to its proximity to Hollywood, its lack of mud and guaranteed sunshine - three things you can t say about Glastonbury no matter how much we love it.

    What the A-list wear backstage over the double weekender, is what you ll be packing along with your tent and wellington boots over the summer. The desert-based festival has become a byword for festival fashion and what the celebs are wearing has become almost as big a draw as the bands on stage. Coachella sets the tone for the rest of the summer s trends - whether you're wearing them in a field in Somerset or going for a laidback city look - what you see in the Californian desert will be repeated (with added jumpers and raincoats) from the Isle of Wight festival to The End of the Road.

    With a stellar line-up including a reformed Guns n Roses, this year s Coachella Festival is set to pull in the big names from music, fashion, film and TV over the two weekends it runs for.

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    While we wait to see what will be this year s stand-out festival fashion trends will be, we take a look back at previous years where models, actresses and musicians including Alessandro Ambrosio, Sienna Miller, Hayley Viera Newton and Zoe Kravitz have rocked peasant tops, designer frocks, skinny jeans and belted tunics - with the odd curve ball look.

    Kicking things off, Gigi Hadid's 2015 festival fashion wardrobe cut a super laid-back vibe as she cooled off by the backstage pool in high waisted shorts teamed with a crop top, a look that has emerged in recent years as a real Coachella mini-trend.

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    Gigi Hadid, 2015

    Gigi Hadid, 2015

    Gigi Hadid 2015
    (Image credit: Rex Features (Shutterstock))

    Read on for access all areas to the best festival fashion...

    Sienna Miller and Kelly Osbourne, 2008

    Sienna Miller and Kelly Osbourne, 2008

    Sienna Miller Kelly Osbourne 2008
    (Image credit: Rex Features (Shutterstock))

    Sienna's signature boho style was perfect for Coachella, her belted cut-out mini dress with new romantic-style suede boots were given a further boost with the blue sunglasses and a cuff bangle. Hanging out with pal Kelly Osbourne, Ms. O's oversized tee says all it needs to.

    Zoe Kravitz, 2015

    Zoe Kravitz, 2015

    Zoe Kravitz 2015
    (Image credit: Rex Features (Shutterstock))

    With rock 'n' roll in her blood, it's not surprising that Zoe does Coachella with such effortless cool, keeping out the desert nighttime chill in a vintage coat and heaps of attitude.

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    Lily Rose Depp, 2015

    Lily Rose Depp, 2015

    Lily Rose Depp 2015
    (Image credit: Rex Features (Shutterstock))

    As the off-spring of the achingly stylish Vanessa Paradis, it came as little surprise when LRD totally tore up the festival fashion rule book last year, forgoing denim cut-offs and flowing maxi skirts for a smart Topshop denim suit. 

    Rihanna, 2011

    Rihanna, 2011

    Rihanna 2011
    (Image credit: Rex Features (Shutterstock))

    Throwing a camo shirtsleeved coat over laid back denim shorts and a black body top gives Rihanna a spin on a classic.

    Mia Moretti & Katy Perry, 2015

    Mia Moretti & Katy Perry, 2015

    Mia-Moretti and Katy Perry 2015
    (Image credit: Rex Features (Shutterstock))

    Big, bold accesorises are a great way of updating a look after a day of in the sun, and neon will never be out of place at a festival.

    Kendal Jenner, 2015

    Kendal Jenner, 2015

    Kendal Jenner 2015

    A heavy metal tee, boats, tiny shorts - Kendall proved she has ths festival dressing down to a fine art.

    Alexa Chung, 2013

    Alexa Chung, 2013

    Alexa Chung 2013
    (Image credit: Rex Features (Shutterstock))

    Alexa Chung is a festival regular and with her style smarts knows how to dress for a wet Glastonbury or a sun-soaked Coachella. Here she does a smarter twist on the denim cut-off shorts, ditching the usual tee or a vest top for a smarter shirt. 

    Emma Watson, 2012

    Emma Watson, 2012

    Emma Watson 2012
    (Image credit: Rex Features (Shutterstock))

    Back in 2012, Emma ditched the regulation-boho uniform for something a little dfferent - cue knee-high boots, skinny jeans and a faux-fur jacket.

    Jourdan Dunn, 2014

    Jourdan Dunn, 2014

    Jourdan Dunn 2014
    (Image credit: Rex Features (Shutterstock))

    Model Jourdan's edgy take on a favourite festival look in matching graphic print co-ords was another of 2014's winning festival looks.

    Kate Bosworth, 2013

    Kate Bosworth, 2013

    Kate Bosworth 2013
    (Image credit: Rex Features (Shutterstock))

    Another festival regular, so as you'd expect Kate Bosworth does Coachella like a pro. Mixing faux hippy pieces form her Topshop collection, Kate topped off her super-stylish look with a pair of spiky boots.

    Chanel Iman, 2010

    Chanel Iman, 2010

    Chanel Iman 2010
    (Image credit: Rex Features (Shutterstock))

    Model Chanel opted for a typical festival outfit but with some super-luxe styling with those beaded high-heels sandals. We wouldn't be trying this one in the Glastonbury mud, but it's perfect for rain-free Coachella.

    Solange Knowles, 2013

    Solange Knowles, 2013

    Solange Knowles 2013
    (Image credit: Rex Features (Shutterstock))

    Proving that festival fashion doesn't stop at fringing and cut-offs, Solange looked immaculate in a neon pink J. Crew Collection midi skirt, block heeled Stuart Weitzman sandals and a white silky top. She finished the look with a pair of statement Marni sunglasses and gave us all festival fashion goals in the process.

    Katy Perry, 2015

    Katy Perry, 2015

    Katy Perry 2015
    (Image credit: Rex Features (Shutterstock))

    Because if you can't rock a gold bra and giant hoop earrings at Coachella, where can you? Katy nailed the after-dark look for a night on the dancefloor.

    Harley Viera Newton, 2013

    Harley Viera Newton, 2013

    Harley Viera Newton 2013
    (Image credit: Rex Features (Shutterstock))

    Harley channelled some serious summer vibes in this fruity frock. Everyone needs a pineapple-print summer dress in their life especially when teamed with a Chanel handbag.

    Karlie Kloss, 2012

    Karlie Kloss, 2012

    Karlie Kloss 2012
    (Image credit: Rex Features (Shutterstock))

    Let's face it, Coachella and supermodels go together like ice cream and sunny days. Karlie nailed laid-back festival chic in a bikini top with a pair of white denim cuts offs and leather sandals.

    Agyness Deyn, 2008

    Agyness Deyn, 2008

    Agyness Deyn 2008
    (Image credit: Rex Features (Shutterstock))

    Model Agyness rocked a playsuit well before they took off, way back in 2008. It makes the perfect over-a-bikini cover up and the patchwork scarf and shoes add a quirky off-beat touch to the outfit.

    Alessandra Ambrosio, 2013

    Alessandra Ambrosio, 2013

    Alessandra Ambrosio 2013
    (Image credit: Rex Features (Shutterstock))

    Alessandra is a Coachella queen. Mixing belted peasant tunics with a floor length fringed sleeveless coat and studded cowboy boots that she matched to her suede shoulder bag she totally the classic Coachella festival look. The wrist full of bangles jumbled with her backstage wristband added another layer of festival-only cool.

    Leigh Lezark, 2013

    Leigh Lezark, 2013

    Leigh Lezark 2013
    (Image credit: Rex Features (Shutterstock))

    We loved Leigh's sweetheart bodice and fun, floral shorts - a great alternative to denim ones. The funky round sunnies are gorgeous and should be on every festival wardrobe wish list.

    Zoe Kravitz, 2012

    Zoe Kravitz, 2012

    Zoe Kravitz 2012
    (Image credit: Rex Features (Shutterstock))

    When you're in the middle of the desert, a white crochet mini dress is ideal. Zoe toughened up hers with a leather studded bag and a peak cap.

    Dree Hemingway, 2012

    Dree Hemingway, 2012

    Dree Hemingway 2012
    (Image credit: Rex Features (Shutterstock))

    Skinny jeans and a leather jacket are festival go-tos. We love that Dree softened up her rock chick look with the floral flourish of a cute flower print handbag.

    Alessandra Ambrosio and Ana Beatriz Barros, 2013

    Alessandra Ambrosio and Ana Beatriz Barros, 2013

    Alessandra Ambrosio and Ana Beatriz Barros 2013
    (Image credit: Rex Features (Shutterstock))

    Joining the supermodel Coachella tribe, Ana toughened up a full-length tie-dye skirt with a cropped black top while Coachella regular Alessandra once again brings her hippy rock chick style backstage with a fringe shoulder bag, calf-length boots and a tiered floral miniskirt, setting off the whole look with a crochet bikini and knotted denim shirt.

    Daisy Lowe, 2015

    Daisy Lowe, 2015

    Daisy Lowe Coachella 2015

    Swapping grunge for a gingham Altuzarra frock, Daisy gave the lady-like look an edge by letting her slip peak through.

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