The pendulum of fashion is constantly swinging. If you follow fashion, you know that you have to hang on tight, because it’s a fast-moving and constantly-changing ride. Just when you think you’ve got it figured out, it changes direction. And once in a while it even makes you sick.

This week the pendulum swung from one extreme to the other. From Indio, CA to New York City. From the desert to the catwalk. From festival to marital. From Coachella to Bridal Fashion Week.

The Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival is an annual festival that showcases music and art in the Colorado Desert in Indio, California (about 125 miles east of LA). Founded in the early 90s, Coachella has become a trendsetter in both music and fashion.

Bridal Fashion Week is held in New York City and showcases wedding gowns and accessories by many designers. Some, like Carolina Herrera and Elie Saab, have several other collections but also produce a bridal collection each year (this was Elie Saab’s first foray into bridal). Others, like Maggie Sottero and Amsale, specialize in wedding wear.

I found it amusing that these two events coincided this year, as they are both fashion-focused, but couldn’t be more different! I’m not going to say I prefer one over the other (I hate Coachella), so let’s compare some trends that emerged from both.

First up, Coachella trends:

Crochet everything (dresses, skirts, bras)
Bandanas (in hair, around necks)
Chokers (bring back the 90s!)
Flower crowns (reminiscent of Woodstock)
No pants (whyyyy?)
Bralettes/bra tops (not loving this – not even liking this)
Gladiator/strappy sandals (when in Rome, or Indio…)
Transparent dresses (pass!)
Cleavage (Halloween and music festivals do not give anyone a free pass to show off their goods – just my opinion)

And now, Bridal Week trends:

Capes/capelets (my mom always said shoulders should be covered in church)
Wispy feathers (as in, ostrich!)
High necklines (elegant)
Deep Vs (not sure this is wedding-appropriate)
Bows (can be done in a non-cutesy way)
Pastels (check out Christian Siriano’s collection for the non-traditional bride)
3-D Floral cutouts (appliques add texture)

Well, I guess I couldn’t hide my feelings too much. I am definitely not a fan of festival fashion! There’s just not much of it there and I don’t find it very classy. But that’s just me. What would you wear to Coachella? Which trends appeal most to you? And what type of bridal gown would you want to wear on your wedding day? (Guys, I’d love to hear your thoughts on these trends, too!)

~Silva

If you have questions or topics you’d like to see addressed in this blog, please email me at [email protected]. You can read more from me at my other blog, onmyshoebox.

To read more Style Session, check out Style Session No. 25 – Don’t Fixate, Celebrate!