Jerod Harris/Getty ImagesEvery celeb's Coachella color of choice? Hint: it's not black.
If there ever were a place to make festival statements your mission, it's Coachella, but it should also be your mission to avoid heat stroke. And while the color white is not only an excellent pick, style wise, it's also the smartest wardrobe choice when it comes to standing and/or dancing in a desert (under a scorching hot sun) for a three whole days. With that in mind, let the below five celebs (clad in fashion-forward white dresses) inspire your upcoming packing list. Oh, and don't forget a water bottle.
The breezier the better was Alexa Chung's festival motto—and she was so right. Bohemian style dresses have a big place at music festivals like this. Their anti-body-hugging silhouette is your best bet to staying cool under the hot sun. If your skin is sensitive to the sun, go for something with sleeves, but make sure the fabric's thin enough to let wind flow through. Rock a bathing suit underneath and you'll be ready for anything!
Kate Bosworth showed up ready to layer. If accessories are important to you (which they should be, but it's understood that sometimes hot weather doesn't permit them) then start thinking now about the add-ons. Find a basic white dress, mini or maxi, that's your base. Then shop for a pair of urban cowboy-ish looking ankle boots, preferably not black because, well, your feet will fry. Once you've got the boots, look for a jacket that perfectly shows your sense of style and throw a small purse into the mix.
If you're feeling a bit more rebellious and looking for something a tab "harder"—go with black booties, regardless of the temperature. And because you're doing that, make sure your white dress is a mini one, you're going to need as much air as possible everywhere else. Like Zoe Kravitz, opt for a crossbody bag so you're not holding anything (but a drink, hopefully) and tie something cool to it, like a bandana.
For the ultimate effortless yet chic desert look, take after Jamie Chung. Her lightweight cotton dress with crochet cutouts and low-cut sides makes for one throw-on-and-go fashion statement. Go for something midi and pay attention to cool details because this will, practically, be your only wardrobe choice—it should convey everything you need it to. Oh, and FYI: a metal collar necklace is a desert must.
Lace is one of the most versatile fabrics. You can wear it on your wedding day, out to a club for your 21st or skip through the desert in it at Coachella. Nicky Hilton's lace mini is the epitome of summertime. Go for something mini with cutouts and save it for the hottest day. Then slip on a pair of gladiator sandals and walk out the door!