It’s that time of year again where those going to Coachella begin planning their cute festival outfits, Instagram becomes full of inspirational looks and those that aren’t going find themselves very, very jealous. As with any festival, it’s important to plan what you’re going to take ahead of time. After all, you don’t want to be stuck in the middle of a busy outside music festival and realise you’ve forgotten something important.

If it’s your first time going to Coachella it can be confusing to know what to take, do you pack a practical bag full of necessities or do you fill it with lots of cute accessories? Personally, I feel you can do both. If you pack your Coachella bag well there is no reason why you can’t be prepared for any event, as well as having everything you need to ensure you look fabulous at all times. With that in mind, I’ve put together a list of things everyone should have in their Coachella bag.

The Bag:

Be sure to choose a sturdy bag that is big enough to hold all of your things. Not only do you want to make sure you can fit everything in (with a little bit of space for things you buy throughout the day!) but you also need to make sure it isn’t going to break easily. There are a tonne of stylish options to choose from but a backpack (I love this Folli Follie backpack seen below) or crossbody satchel work best; you won’t have to worry about carrying them around or the strap slipping down your shoulder, which believe me, after a few hours out in the sun can become extremely annoying.

Sunnies:

Putting the fact that they are necessary to keeping your eyes safe in the sun and stop you spending the day squinting, sunnies are one of the must-have accessories for Coachella. I suggest taking two pairs. One for a cool and edgy look - you know the type, the ones that are going to look amazing in photos and on Instagram - and another cheaper, plastic pair for dancing that you won’t mind getting lost in the crowd.

Flower Crown:

Part of the fun of attending a festival is being able to rock some truly outrageous, hippie outfits and what Coachella outfit would be complete without a flower crown?

Scarf, Shawl or Shirt:

Many people don’t realise that it can get a bit chilly at Coachella in the evening and therefore taking some sort of layered clothing item is a must. Choose a scarf, shawl or shirt; all of which can be worn if you get cold, used as a blanket if you decide to sit on the ground and can even protect you from dust storms. Plus, they’re light weight options so you won’t mind throwing them in your bag or tying them around your waist.

Portable Phone Charger:

If you’re like me you’re sure to be taking lots of photos, snapchats and videos at Coachella and having your phone die a few hours into the day can be annoying, especially when you want to upload a photo to social media or need to text your friend. Take a fully charged portable phone charger and USB lead with you to use when your battery gets low.

Small Snacks:

Lines can be long and every moment you spend queuing is a moment taken away from festival fun. So, take a few small snacks you can eat when hunger hits. You won’t want to spend your time at Coachella waiting in line.

Sunscreen and Other Mini Toiletries:

Protecting yourself when you’re out in the sun is important and nobody wants to rock the sunburned look when they’re trying to look stylish, so be sure to take a small tube of sunscreen with you. You never know what a day at Coachella will throw at you and I for one do not like being stuck without a way to wash my hands or with chapped lips. So, take wet wipes, antibacterial hand gel and lip balm. A good way to do this is to find a small bag or mini makeup bag and place them all in together - they’ll be much easier to find at a moment’s notice!

So, there you have it, my must-have items for any Coachella bag! What are yours?

THIS LOOK:

LACE BODYSUIT: NBD VIA REVOLVE || SEQUIN SHORTS: J CREW || FRINGE BOOTIES: STEVE MADDEN VIA ZOOSHOO || BACKPACK: FOLLI FOLLIE || FELT HAT: THE KOOPLES || JEWELRY: FOLLI FOLLIE

Photography: Lauren Alexandra