When it comes to Coachella in the early aughts and 2010s, you truly just had to be there.
The annual music festival first launched in 1999. But the Coachella craze really took off once ’00s It Girls Vanessa Hudgens, Rihanna, Lindsay Lohan, Nina Dobrev and more made it their go-to spring destination, with all the wardrobe changes that entailed.
In addition to being able to see the biggest bands of the day, we also got to see our favorite celebs in their most experimental outfits, having a ball with their equally famous celebrity friends. Full aughties fashion trends were born, and star style photos became staples for Tumblr pages the world over — we’re talking the short-shorts and flannel combo, Kylie Jenner’s striking blue hair from 2015, and of course, those tinted lenses and gladiator sandals!
As the festival rolls into the weekend, check out these vintage photos from years past.
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Low Rise
Nicole Richie
Credit: Rebecca Sapp/WireImage
Nicole Richie decided to find out how low she could go, attending the Converse bus in nothing but a bikini top and precarious cutoffs in 2005.
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Sweet Memories
Danny DeVito and Amy Winehouse
Credit: Kevin Mazur/WireImage
The late Amy Winehouse — and her famous beehive in all its glory — hung out with Danny DeVito at the Empire Polo Field in 2009.
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In Her Element
Drew Barrymore
Credit: Tim Mosenfelder/Getty
Drew Barrymore showcased her creative eyeliner as she watched M.I.A. perform at the 2009 festival.
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Peace and Love
Carmen Electra
Credit: Chris Polk/FilmMagic
Carmen Electra flashed a peace sign while rocking a multi-print maxi dress at the T-Mobile G1 Tone-Def After-Party in 2009.
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Music Lover
Lindsay Lohan
Credit: Michael Bezjian/WireImage
Lindsay Lohan made us wonder if we too could pull off gladiator sandals in the desert heat back in 2010. (Answer: probably not. But she made it work.)
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Caught in the Wild
Kristen Stewart
Credit: Barry Brecheisen/WireImage
A bashful Kristen Stewart was snapped at the Lacoste Pool Party in 2010.
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Forever Young
Jay-Z and singer Beyonce Knowles
Credit: Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic
Jay-Z brought out his better half, Beyoncé, for a duet of “Forever Young” when he headlined in 2010.
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Remember the Time
Alexander Skarsgard and Malin Akerman
Credit: Jordan Strauss/WireImage
Friends Malin Åkerman and Alexander Skarsgård posed for a pic at Lacoste’s pool party in 2011.
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Don’t Stop
KeSha
Credit: Angela Weiss/WireImage
Kesha repped Converse in the most Kesha way while at the brand’s lounge in 2011.
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Old Times
Nina Dobrev and Ian Somerhalder
Credit: Michael Buckner/Getty
Nina Dobrev and then-boyfriend, The Vampire Diaries costar Ian Somerhalder, were spotted out and about at the Empire Polo Club in 2012.
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On the Prowl
Emma Watson
Credit: Donato Sardella/WireImage
Emma Watson brought out her inner animal at the Mulberry BBQ Pool Party in 2012.
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It Girl
Vanessa Hudgens
Credit: Michael Buckner/Getty
The unofficial queen of the flower crown, Vanessa Hudgens was spotted making her way through the crowd during Coachella 2012.
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Just Beachy
Rihanna
Credit: Christopher Polk/Getty
Rihanna showed off her toned abs while rocking studded short shorts during her visit to Indio Valley.
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Say What?
Jaden Smith
Credit: Chelsea Lauren/WireImage
Jaden Smith and pal Moisés Arias looked contemplative as they took in the scene at the 2013 show.
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Pals to the Stage
Justin Bieber with Chance the Rapper
Credit: Kevin Winter/Getty
Chance the Rapper and Justin Bieber were the coolest duo while performing in 2014.
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Fun Times
Beyonce and Solange
Credit: Christopher Polk/Getty
Years before Beychella, Beyoncé joined sister Solange onstage for a surprise performance in 2014.
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Just Cool
Zoe Kravitz
Credit: Michael Bezjian/Getty
Zoë Kravitz tried a few Coachella trend at once at the Harper’s Bazaar and Coach private brunch in 2015.
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Boom Boom Pow
Fergie
Credit: Angela Weiss/Getty
Fergie brought the bling to the Moschino party in 2015.
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Party Girls
Kendall Jenner and Hailey Baldwin
Credit: Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic
Kendall Jenner and BFF Hailey Baldwin got a boost and better view of the show in 2015.
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Sister Takeover
Kendall Jenner and Kylie Jenner
Credit: Light Brigade/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images
In 2015, the Jenner sisters proved to be the ultimate trendsetters in ensembles (and one bright blue wig) that had the internet buzzing.
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Having a Time
Paris Hilton and Nicky Hilton
Credit: Light Brigade/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images
Another sister duo, Paris and Nicky Hilton went for maximalist print when they attended the same year.
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Pop of Color
Dilone, Jeremy Scott and Rita Ora
Credit: Katie Jones/WWD/Penske Media/Getty
There was no shortage of color when Dilone, Jeremy Scott and Rita Ora linked at the Moschino Candy Crush Desert Party in 2017.
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Rock On
Willow Smith
Credit: Roger Kisby/Getty
Nineteen-year-old Willow Smith rocked on at the YouTube Music Artist Lounge in 2019.
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