It was in the early 90s when the rave moment began. During that time, the rave clothing was merely about dressing down. At other parties, the club goers would wear designer outfits, but a rave party meant oversized shirts and sneakers. Those outfits were more suitable for an event in a dark basement, which could go on and on for eight hours straight. 

Pioneers of the acid house would wear practical clothing, such as overalls, boiler suits, oversized pants that came with lots of pockets. Often, these pieces would be combined with a shirt that has a smiley face and a necklace with a whistle. Ravers know that whistling is the way ravers applaud a mix that made them dance happily. 

In the mid-90s, known brands began, to offer their take on rave fashion. As a result, streetwear became more popular than ever, especially as the rave nitty-gritty extended to tracksuits by Adidas, along with shirts from Stüssy, colorful sunglasses, and tops with spaghetti straps. 

Rave Today 

It is easy to say that the rave scene has evolved, along with the look that comes with it. Today, references from the psychedelic movement in the 90s are incorporated with a few goth-ish and hip-hop subcultures. 

Rave parties produced a style that is unique and cannot be found elsewhere: partygoers would have their hair spiked using colored gel, jewel stickers on the face, visors, Kandi bracelets and furry boots. Even furry animal jumpsuits are a part of the rave clothing. 

The Fashion Industry and the Designers 

The past few seasons showed that designers are embracing the rave culture with many of them bringing back some throwbacks that are reminiscent of the early days of rave. One example is the menswear collection for Fall 2018 by the high fashion brand, Prada where three similar looks displayed a classic uniform of club goers: 

Cargo trousers made with black nylon 
Zip-up top that is tight and black 
Yellow bucket hat 

As for the women's wear collection for the same period, Prada was entirely about futuristic sci-fi. However, the brand also showcased a few looks that a raver would love, including: 

Bucket hats in orange and turquoise colors 
Colored sunnies 
Sandals matched with sports socks 
Acid-colored rubber boots 

The Fall 2018 collections were not the first time the brand featured some rave styles. In fact, in 2017 during the Miu Miu Resort fashion show, the brand also used the dress code of the popular movement, although the styles were more light-hearted and cleaner. 

Meanwhile, for Christopher Bailey, he revisited his experiences at basement clubs in Halifax. During his final show, while he bade goodbye to his position as the creative director of Burberry, he had models marching through a dim room filled with lasers of different colors. They paraded his high-end interpretations on sportswear as well as tribe outfits for teens that came from his younger days. 

More Rave References 

There are also some designers who made some rave representations, but they delivered a more subtle way that is almost cryptic. Raf Simons is one of them where he mused on the past of underground culture. In his fashion show, he used a 1981 cult film as his primary inspiration and a 1980s play. 

The show opened with his rave clothing collection featuring a set of sleeveless hoodies in orange and yellow colors. He also highlighted squares that resemble the periodic table, but they came with abbreviations like XTC, GHB, and LSD. 

Many other designers are joining the rave culture now. Some ravers may wonder why but the movement’s golden era is in the distant past now. Therefore, these designers want to bring back something unfamiliar, and at the same time, it is eclectic. 

Rave connects emotions with the physical aspect of a person. For people who will go to their first ever rave party, think that it is about political disobedience, self-expression, and making things up as they go along. Here is our advice on how you can put together a look that will embody the characteristics mentioned: 

Mini Tutu: Just like miniskirts, these rave tutus are sexy, but they are flashier and usually come in vibrant colors. 

Multicolored Top: You will surely have eyes on you if you wear something colorful. A crop top with different colors, especially one that looks great with your whole ensemble, will make you look like a rave expert. 

Neon Top: It is classic and is commonly seen on men and women who frequent rave parties. You can choose any neon color you want. 

Costume: One thing you will love at a rave is you can pick any outfit you like. You can be a Disney princess, an angel, or even a devil. You can also make the character look as unique as you want. 

Goth: You can never go wrong with a Goth look at a rave party. Express yourself with this style using an all-black ensemble and do not forget your kaleidoscope lenses. 

Fur: Nothing beats a furry coat, along with cute and colorful accessories at a rave party. You can go for flashy jackets – the flashiest you can find or choose a style that you know will keep you comfy. 

Glitter and Sparkle: A rave outfit that does not glitter or sparkle is incomplete. Make sure you have something that shines, whether it is a top, booty shorts, or glasses. They will help you stand out from the crowd. 

Glow in the Dark/UV-Reactive: Lastly, have a glow in the dark piece in your outfit. There are endless of choices available, including braid strands that will surely make you look cool. 

Designers have their memories of the movement, and plenty of fashion choices are now available. Whatever it is you need – from bodysuits to pasties to leg wraps to glitter and face jewels – we got you covered. Dress to impress with our clothing and accessories selection here at RaverNationShop where you can find everything you desire for your first-ever rave.