What Did Recession Coachella Look Like? See Photos of the Festival in 2008

Before flower crowns and fringe became synonymous with the desert’s biggest music event, the Coachella style scene looked a little different—especially in 2008. That year, the music festival happened in the midst of an ongoing financial crisis in the United States, dubbed the Great Recession. It was one that shaped the economy, pop culture, and yes, even the fashion du jour. Headlines were dominated by the collapse of major financial institutions and rising unemployment. So, it’s no surprise that attendees weren’t exactly keen on breaking the bank for their festival looks.

The 2008 Coachella lineup was heavily into indie credibility, featuring bands like Portishead, The Verve, and Vampire Weekend. Aside from legends like Prince and Roger Waters, it boasted more cult favorites on the stage than big name celebrities. Plus, nobody was dressing for social media in the same way. In lieu of influencer culture, there was zero pressure to serve extravagant, camera-ready looks. Instagram wouldn’t debut for another two years and fashion bloggers weren’t jetting to the desert with brand sponsorships. People came primarily for the music, not for the optics.

And the outfits? They were just as recession-tinged as you'd expect.

Attendees kept things low-key and functional during the recession-era festival: low-rise denim shorts, baseball caps, babydoll tops, airy button-downs, and bikinis. Think more from-your-boyfriend’s-closet and less borrowed-from-a-stylist. Many wore breezy skirts and dainty cotton dresses to fend off the desert heat, not necessarily to impress a street-style photographer. This wasn’t the era of rhinestone boots or mesh dresses. It was a time when you packed light, dressed smart, and likely thrifted your entire look. There was an organic charm to it all. Without pressure to "go viral," personal style at Coachella in 2008 felt more grounded—less curated, more lived-in. Comfort and affordability ruled. The kind of fashion that, by today’s standards, might even feel radical.

Fast forward to 2025, with another recession looming, there’s growing chatter about how economic anxiety might reshape this year's upcoming festival—and beyond. Hints of it with the emergence of “recession pop” and adjacent “recession indicators” are already abound. Could a return to toned-down, practical festival fashion be imminent? If 2008 Coachella taught us anything, it’s that fashion doesn’t halt during hard times—it just pivots. With the right blend of creativity and constraint, even economic downturns can bring about innovative, untapped expressions of style.