The Coachella 2019 Checklist: Getting Prepped for the Festival

Coachella 2019

The Coachella 2019 Checklist: Getting Prepped for the Festival

Springtime in SoCal means one thing – flocks on flocks of dancers, ravers and music lovers alike are headed to Coachella Valley for Coachella 2019.

This year’s talent lineup includes megastars like headliners Ariana Grande, Childish Gambino and Tame Impala, as well as up-and-comers like SOFI TUKKER, CloZee and Hurray for the Riff Raff, among dozens of others, making for an action-packed festival.

As usual, festival-goers can expect to rough it out in the Coachella Valley in the sun, heat and dealing with all sorts of bathroom situations. To help prepare for this, The Surplus Store has compiled our Top 5 Things to Bring to Coachella 2019.

1. The Backpack

Situation – you’re hopping around Coachella and meeting tons of people. You go to shake somebody’s hand and keep having to tuck your water bottle in between your legs. You want to dance but all the sweat you’ve been collecting keeps making your phone slip out of your bra. Guess what – its backpack time. We like fun, vibrant colors to match the vibe of the festival, like this one from JanSport.

2. The Festival-Friendly Outfit

We’re not ones to put “comfort” and “cute” in the same sentence, but wouldn’t it be great if we could have both? In the blazing sun, you need to make sure your clothes are breathable, won’t bog you down if you sweat glisten and still look trendy and festival ready. Personally, I think festival wear is the ultimate lesson in fashion-based irony, but it’s a thing come Coachella 2019 time. This awesome mesh top will both help you stay and look cool at the same time. Pair it back with a neon bandeau and a pair of utilitarian boots or classic sneakers and a fun hat and you’re ready to rock.

3. The Shades

Sun. We get it. There’s a ton of it. And sure, protection is key, but again, Coachella is just as much about the fashion as it is about the musical and artistic experiences. Classics are fine – the aviator will always work for anybody and everybody with a nose. But this festival is all about experimentation (in more ways than one)! Don’t be afraid to go bold, get weird, and wear something that makes zero sense for your day-to-day life. Get your festival wear game on point!

4. The Flare

Among the most notable festival wear of Coachella is the militaria trend. Year after year, we see vests, hats, boots, and shirts inspired by military wear and adopted into the festival culture. But another way to achieve this type of look is through pins and badges! They’re a great way to add personality to something like a field jacket or camouflage print tanks or shirts and add another dimension of style to your look.

5. The Life Line


It’s hard to understand how game-changing having rope or cord on hand is until you actually need it. God forbid you only bring lace-up shoes and one of them breaks, or your tent just won’t stay up quite right. Or worse, you lose so much water weight that your shorts no longer want to stay up and you need a makeshift belt (not the worst thing to happen). We carry rope and cord in all sizes and colors. Grab some that you like, you’ll thank us later.