Rave Clothes and Accessories
Get schooled on rave clothes. Learn to dress like a raver!
By Brian | July 14th, 2002The rave scene grew to dominate the 1990s and continues to evolve even today as ravers from around the world continue to party. Just like clubbers and the club scene, when older ravers move on, younger generations quickly move in to fill the void. Rave DJs such as DJ Diamond, DJ Shortee and Miss Behavin’ continue do teach and create new sounds and rhythms while ravers dance to the beats. Aside from rave music, there is one distinct and noticeable aspect to ravers: rave clothes. Strangely enough, there is a general shortage of rave clothing stores online as ravers hunt for rave gear, rave pants, and general rave fashion.
Rave Fashion
To really be a part of rave culture, you’ve gotta be hip with rave clothes. Ravers wear clothing that is flexible, worn in, and comfortable. Since raves involve hours of dancing, rave wear such as rave pants is lightweight and loose-fitting.
Rave gear includes clothing that makes it easy to dress in layers which allows ravers to peel off their outer wear as they heat up from all the dancing. It’s not uncommon to see ravers wear baggy and wide-legged pants and then strip down to loose shorts.
Ravers wear airy clothing such as t-shirts, tank tops, tube tops, bikini tops, and open-back halter tops. These types of upper body clothes help partiers stay cool during long, intensive, after hours dance marathons.
Ravers tend to take ecstasy pills which provide the energy to dance all night (and sometimes all day) long. The truth is that the drug itself raises body temperature and so between the dancing and the drugs, ravers are frequently virtually clothing free by the end of the night.
Rave Clothes and Themes
Rave culture has grown beyond simple raves. There are now raves with themes to them and the girls at these gigs tend to take advantage of the occasion by dressing up. It’s like Halloween for a night in a month other than October. On a related note, goths who hang out at raves are called gravers. In any case, during themed rave events, ravers wear costumes such as dressing up cartoon characters, princesses, and other fantasy figures that go with the rave’s theme. Rave themes often include some sort of futuristic, space, or mystical theme.
Brand Name and Underground Rave Clothing
It’s kind of an oxymoron to say that raver clothing stores carry rave clothes that are popular brand names and underground at the same time. The truth is that stores are selling large quantities of rave clothes such as Triple Five Soul, Akademiks, Zoo York, Quiksilver, Rusty, Spiewak, Kitchen Orange, Billabong, HIC and Redsand.
It’s true that purists in the rave gear scene prefer to wear rave clothing that is from more underground type companies and stores but in fact, major labels and brand names in popular culture can be quite convenient when partying at a rave. Rave wear can be Adidas track pants, Nike running shoes, or a Reebok shirt. If you’re preparing for your first visit to a rave, don’t worry about shopping at rave clothing stores. Just wear what you have, as long as it’s comfortable.
Not everyone thinks raves are for them and after one visit, they have had enough of the rave scene. On the other hand, if you do plan on partying at a lot of raves, you might want to consider “popular” rave clothes.
Rave Clothing Store Accessories and Ecstasy
Aside from general rave clothing, there are always the accessories to consider! Alcohol is rarely served at raves. Instead, rave promoters sell smart drinks which are essentially energy drinks or fruit juice with extra caffeine. If you were every wondering how to make an energy drink, that’s all there is to it!
In any case, raves and illegal drugs go hand-in-hand and rave clothing stores sell accessories that can enhance the raver’s drug-induced sensations. Raver accessories include bright paraphernalia such as bracelets, necklaces, and earrings which typically have flashing lights built into them. Ravers trying to sneak their personal stash of ecstasy into a rave frequently place their pills into plastic beads, bring pill-shaped candies which look like store-bought sugar candies, or mix their drugs into a box of candies.
One of the most ubiquitous rave clothes accessories is the ever-present baby pacifiers which are typically worn around ravers’ necks and lollipops. While these are seemingly harmless, they are actually there to counterbalance the effects of ecstasy which can force involuntary teeth grinding. This is actually quite popular in regular clubs as well, not just rave culture.
Perhaps the most creative integration of rave accessories is the invention of baby pacifiers that actually have flashing lights built into them and have candy-beaded necklaces for ravers to wear around their necks.
The hallucinogenic properties of ecstasy has certainly had a large influence on rave culture including the clothes and accessories that ravers include in their party gear. Ecstasy can cause visual distortions which is why ravers walk around with glow sticks, flashing bracelets and necklaces which are waved around. Similarly, raver girls frequently wear pins with blinking lights as belly-button rings, earrings, and regualr clothing pins, frequently in the shape of stars and hearts.
Finally, ravers chew strong mint gum and rub strong smelling menthol lotion onto their bodies to try and max out the effects of the drugs. Sadly, many ravers don’t realize that rubbing items such as Vicks VapoRub all over their body and continually inhaling the menthol fumes, they are enhancing they may be adding to their risk of hyperthermia (getting dangerously overheated) because the fumes cause the raver’s eyes and nasal passages to dry out. Gross but true and you don’t need to buy this type of “party item” at rave clothing stores because the local pharmacy probably carries these products.
The Future of Rave Clothing and Accessories
As long as there are raves, rave culture will include rave clothing and accessories to get the “full effect” of the music and drugs. If you plan on attending a rave and you’re a newbie, this article should be enough to get your groove started. Party smart.
(By the way, ecstasy is also known as ex, x, extasy, exstasy, and ecstacy)
This isn’t a very accurate article. None of the brands you listed are make any kind of rave clothing. These brands are not what ravers wear. People that where brands like Quiksilver aren’t ravers. Those are the people who don’t even like the music and just show up to bum ex off of people. It’s really anoying when your partying and someone who’s been sitting on a couch the whole time out of no-where says “Do you have any ex?” The rest of stuff about the pacifiers and blinking lights only pertains to kandy kids, who make up only a tiny portion of rave culture. Btw, ravers don’t do even near as much ex as you think and it’s not as big a part of rave culture as you make it seem.
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July 1, 2009 at 9:58 am
I disagree. This is totally true. Rave culture has a huge following and ex is at the heart of most of it. Maybe you’re new to raving or maybe the rave scene in your area doesn’t have a lot of kandy kids but we have tons of them and most scenes are full of them. If you really love to party at raves, this article tells it like it is.
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July 1, 2009 at 7:48 pm
Agreed with FiveFoFlow, inaccurate article. For many many reasons. Most of the time the real ravers don’t do x as much as you’d think.
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July 9, 2009 at 4:47 pm
Most of this article is not really something to be debated and agreed. It’s much more matter of fact than “I say ravers do ex and you say ravers don’t do ex”.
Raves are supported by gangs who want to move mass quantities of drugs. You have to be naive (or ignorant of reality in this case) to not see what’s going on for what it is.
Also, look at the date! It was written in 2002. Things may have changed in some areas and stayed the same in others.
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July 9, 2009 at 10:59 pm
There’s a major migration in the rave scene. A few years ago, lots of ravers in big cities got tired of the giant raves with thousands of people. They actually got tired of the scene itself. The rave promoters had to do something to get people interested so they can keep making money. They stil pull off large parties but also hold smaller ones in smaller towns.
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July 10, 2009 at 5:02 pm
Unless you talk to everybody at the party (and really get to know them), how can you pretend to know what’s going on in their world? Are they drunk, on coke, spun or are they just diggin’ the music? How would you know? Oh, and for the record, I like acid… and the way it makes me move.
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July 16, 2009 at 8:57 pm
Ok so the chick that wrote this is wrong is some parts and so-so on others. I agree that none of the brands names have anything to do with Rave Culture. While there is that select group of people that only go to bum bombs off people, there are also many people that go to raves and stay sober the whole time.
I live in Seattle and i can tell you for a fact that by an hour or so after the rave starts half the people there are already rollin balls or trying to find bombs. Granted most of the money these drugs make is sent to gangs and what not, but do you honestly think that the people doing them care? i don’t i say do what you want while you can. Live for the moment and dont worry about the gang wars in different countries/cities/states. In any case everyone has their own opinion about raves and the culture behind them. no need to get all but hurt about it when someone says something you dont agree with.
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July 25, 2009 at 5:55 pm
I’m sorry but this article is very accurate. I don’t know what planet some of the other commenters live on, but there’s a lot of reality in what’s written. Isn’t it amazing that people are quick to downplay the brand names but then don’t offer alternatives to what ravers wear. Let’s hear your view rather than just denouncing the article. Anyone can come along and spread their comments on someone else’s work. Let’s hear you come up with something original. Why don’t you offer some alternative details and explanations? I’m waiting…
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August 2, 2009 at 12:51 am
Interesting article.
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August 11, 2009 at 2:27 am
This article is pretty acurate in the rave scene in Tx. Kandi kids are everywhere and people are already rolling balls in the line to get in. But on the clothes a lot of people around here make their own clothes and their own personal and unique and creative style to it. It gets them more noticed as real ravers a lot of the time, but anyone can really wear anything. It’s about peace love unity and respect. It’s what everyone i know lives by so it’s not to say THIS IS THE WAY but all ways are the way :) Whatever makes you happy and excited and pumped up and feeling good is what a rave is all about. Whatever it takes.
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August 13, 2009 at 7:48 pm
Well I went to a rave a few weeks ago. There were no candy kids but after I read about them, I thought “I totally want to be like that!”, but with the 24 relation… my parents would never let me rave even though I want to.
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September 25, 2009 at 4:26 pm
Jane… don’t be so naive! People who rave are there for one thing and one thing only, ask a true raver of 1987-2009 it’s all about the music. people who go to raves just to take drugs are not ravers. Any raver will tell you the same its all about the music sweetheart. It just so happens that X gives you the energy to do what we love best and it heightens your senses to the trax taking over your mind body and soul. Ravers live for the music not the X.
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September 28, 2009 at 7:23 am
It’s true a lot of “ravers” rave just so they can take the drug X. But for the people that live by plur & the positive vibe that comes from raving they do know its really about the music. It’s about that drum and bass, at a rave the Dj is a god! It just so happens that X enhances your ability to connect with the music and the people around you. As for the money going to gangs… would you rather it be taxed?
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October 17, 2009 at 6:23 pm
I dont know what raves some of you guys are talking about. Candy kids + ex = raves. . im old, been clubbin and raving for 10 years. at raves, and even clubs that have rave music, your gonna find candy kids and ecstacy. and who the hell ever heard of a “rave” brand of clothing. thats rediculous.
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October 18, 2009 at 11:48 pm
o yea, one more thing. i have to agree the main reason for going to rave or club w/ rave music is the MUSIC. From my experience (and have far too much of it) the line up of dj’s is what brings the crowds. Normally just dont show up at a rave or club to do drugs, I go for the music. Rolling just intensifies the feelings of peace, love and unity.
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October 18, 2009 at 11:54 pm
I read the article and the comments and I think many fellow ravers are missing the point. I brought “outsider” friends to a rave once. They were dressed up after going to posh nightclubs. My peeps felt totally out of place and looked down on everyone. I think it was partly a reaction to others being dressed in more “rave gear” as it says above.
So, I do agree that wearing the right clothes to a rave can be helpful to fit in. I don’t think there’s a rave brand like amy said (I didn’t see that above either – you on somethin’?!). I don’t think that everyone who comes to par-tay is there for the E but a large part is for sure.
I don’t know how wild your parties have been but I’ve been to tons of raves (mostly about 7-14 years ago) and the blinking lights and smells and touch and all of that was always going on. Maybe things have changed or the parties you go to aren’t as wild but that was my experience.
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October 21, 2009 at 2:35 pm
I don’t know about ‘mainstream raver clothing brands,’ but in the Portland/Eugene scene it’s common for raver’s to make their own costumes. Out here every party has a theme, although some are more vague and less closely adhered to than others. Many ravers choose to hit up stores like Value Village, Salvation Army, and Good Will to buy clothing and fabric that they then modify into a badass raver costume. I’ve browsed online and found outfits that cost upwards of $120.00 that were way less dank than costumes I’ve made myself by spending less than ten bucks at one of those used clothing outlets. It’s all about expression of individuality. Your appearance is a reflection of you at a rave.
At a rave, visuals are extremely important because so many people are rolling that how trippy you look is the first thing they’ll notice about you. We enjoy utilizing our creativity.
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November 22, 2009 at 3:17 am
um i dont know about yall, but the only reason why i rave is to get the x. there is no point on raving if ur not rollin nuts. if ur sober going to a rave you are going to leave soon after you arrived, because your gunna think its stupid. thats just my point of view!
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January 15, 2010 at 10:09 am
People like Samantha here are the reason the rave scene is going down hill! A true raver will rave all by themselves without the drugs,with just some headphones on because it is all about the music! Now I’m not saying that poppin pills is bad cause I’ve done my fair share, but give me a break! Yes they enhance the experience, but a true raver will rave without them! I don’t think half of you have ever been to a real rave!!
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February 3, 2010 at 7:56 pm
I love raves! WOOOO! PLUR!!! AHHH! HAha.. I don’t think it’s entirely wrong. Every scene in every place is a little different. All in all. Most raver kids take E and other stimulants and hallucinogens. Its all a part of the experience. But it really is about the music. We’re not going to stay at a club with garbage DJ’s.. Even if we’re rolling balls. We’ll just find somewhere else to go with a better atmosphere! Even little raves at friends houses. As for the clothes. I think you can wear whatever the hell you want. Its personal style. I wear like a short dress and pearls and look classy (often with bead bracelets). I don’t feel out of place because you meet tons of people within the first few minutes, everyones your friend and thats it. Its personal style. No one cares what you wear. If you go a lot to the same scenes often, people will know you and know you have your personal style and its a good time. Well Love everyone. Spread peace. <3
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February 13, 2010 at 1:59 pm
yeeeeessss!…. I definlitley agree with Chels. It doesn´t matter how differentley you look than others at a rave. Just as long as you´re comfortable in what you are in and ready to have funn. Most ravers have their own personal and unique style..sooo why not create yours? Or if not, I say just to wear whatever the f.. you want!! Besides, I bet no one will even notice what you wear unless you really stand out, which is your decision. So just be yourself because in the end, all that people want is to have an amazing time. Anyone and Everyone in there can be your friend.
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February 23, 2010 at 11:14 pm
So, I agree with everyone when the say it’s about the music. That’s what makes it a rave. Ex is used to enhance the senses and to make the experience even more awesome. It’s not about drugs, outfits, or all that nonsense.
Yes, people have rave outfits that they make or buy, and yes, people take Ex and other stuff. It’s whatever they want to do. But seriously, some of you guys are making a big deal about nothing. IT’S ABOUT THE MUSIC, and TRUE ravers know that
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February 25, 2010 at 5:28 pm
well i grew up in ohio where the raves are rare. it was all hippy fests. i will tell you when i moved to cali and went to my first rave, EDC , in la i was blown away. the rave scene is much more than a drug fest unlike the hippy gatherings. people actually love the music, well most of them. what a very unique animal the rave is. if anything bash the hippy fests or go to one such as Hookahville in southern Ohio. rave on my friends…
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March 9, 2010 at 11:12 pm
X is at every scene but just because you don’t do it does not make you any less of a raver. This conversation is pointless its like saying teenagers smoke it happens but not all do.
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March 10, 2010 at 2:29 pm
well now no one needs ex to be a raver. all you need is crazyness and ability to stay up almost all night and day. ex is never needed. anyone can stay up and go nuts if they tried.
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March 31, 2010 at 3:21 pm
E and drugs make u feel alone. NO one is feeling the same thing as u… E dosent make u more happy! Sharing and caring live by plur and give people a chance thats where u get real happiness from :D and yeah i rave for the music. i can stay up for 2 nights without drugs… bah its peoples own choice theres nothing wrong in taking E if they behave
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April 21, 2010 at 2:44 pm
u wanna talk about crazy– six months pregnant and of COURSE sober, I stayed up all nite and half the day, dancing almost all the way through… alongside a friend who was, incidentally, ALSO sober
good music that won’t stop and a vibe that’s kickin’… that’s all u need :D
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April 24, 2010 at 12:53 am
i need ex yall mabee dont but i do i want to try acid weed is amazing and i smoke NEW PORTS
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May 26, 2010 at 1:00 pm
Actually, I go to raves all the time and never taken any kind of illegal substance. I don’t know about anyone else, but for me I just love dancing and electronic music. I also love to dress up in crazy costumes. I’ve gone to raves with large groups of people before and none of them were on any kind of drug, nor did they priorly drink any alcohol.
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June 12, 2010 at 2:54 pm
I’ve DJ’d at quite a few raves, and been there as a raver on the floor myself more times than I care to mention. I have never taken any drugs, and I still absolutely LOVE it. It’s the music that keeps me pumping, and it’ll always be that way.
Although I’ve seen a few things from those stores in the past, personally I prefer to keep my baggy neon pants and toxic green ski suit.
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June 28, 2010 at 7:24 am
Thank you for the artice, but the comments on the brand names are correct. Half the names you listed are “skater” brands, like quicksilver, billabong & tripp 5 soul. Of course people will still wear these brands at a rave, but not more than any other brand. In my Seattle rave experience there really isnt a “rave brand” for clothes. Its whatever fits your style & that nights vibe. On an average night, over half the people are def rolling balls, pry close to 75%. It’s hard to tell as everyone is in their own world. Safe Partyin’!
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June 30, 2010 at 1:50 am
if am honest a raver is a person who likes a good nyt owt n likes to dance the nyt away!!!!!! :)
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July 4, 2010 at 2:24 pm
Any article on raving isn’t going to be 100% accurate. Nor, apparently, will all the comments. I know to me, going to raves isn’t about the ex or the clothing. I like light shows no matter what state my mind is in, anyway. I’m just easily distracted. lol But I go to raves first to support the PLUR and second for the music. No one gives two craps about what I wear, or if I’m rolling or not. It’d be ignorant to say ex isn’t at the scene though.
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August 13, 2010 at 4:39 pm
i personally love raves, i take alot of e while im there so i dress to enhance my experience, alot of neon colors and flashing lights, and it does get reallly hot so i end up stripping down to a belly shirt and neon sports bra, everyone there is dressed differently but everyone is having fun no matter what they wear. P.L.U.R <3 <(^_^<)
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December 9, 2010 at 11:31 am
Truth is, rave is DEAD. We are now post-rave. Illicit warehouse parties with several thousand people? A thing of the past. Yeah, there’s still events, but not with the panache and tenacity of ten years ago. When I came up there was no ‘how to’ manual to go to a party… if you knew, you went, and if you went, you had fun. Simple as that.
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February 9, 2011 at 9:55 am
okay so i dont know if u guys have been to a rave recently but i went to hallowfreakinween this year in CO and there were atleast 7000 ppl and yes of course its all about the music but about 95% of the ppl there were doing xtc..
as for the clothes baggy pants? haha no one wears those anymore.. maybe the guys do but all the girls i saw were in booty shorts or thongs and bras.
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March 19, 2011 at 10:04 am
Raves are too diverse to be summed up in one little article, my people… I am a raver and I do not do e, or any drug for that matter (including pot). Most of the raves I go to have people wearing anything from jerseys and jeans to full on fluffy kandi kid gear with kandi up to their shoulders and dread falls and little barely there UV reactive skirts and sports bras.
They are just about being yourself. Being unique. Being a part of the music. If that includes doing drugs and dressing up, doing drugs and not dressing up, dressing up and not doing drugs… WHATEVER! Who the crap cares? You’re at a RAVE! Peace Love Unity and Respect. <3 Learn it and quit pointing fingers and grouping everybody in one stereotype.
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July 4, 2011 at 5:27 pm
Hi all
I have never been to a rave before I’m a 22 year old and have no idea what to wear, the rave is the westfest underground in somerset in 2 weeks
what can i wear? help!!! I have no ideaaaa :)
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October 19, 2011 at 12:42 pm
This article is helpful to those who are not ravers to find ways to dress at a rave, however I do not like the inclination that most ravers do drugs; in fact the majority of ravers that I know including myself are sober at parties as we prefer to be able to enjoy the music and the atmosphere with a clear mind.
Also, the largest brands found for rave clothing are UFO, Ghast or are home made.
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November 30, 2011 at 5:30 am
Good comments :). About the whole “your a true raver” if you go for the music. I’ve gone sober to clubs and music festivals and the music has to be pretty spot on to stay for more than two hours and that’s pushing it. I’ve had the situation of rolling a couple of these times and I can tell you this is definitely how raves should be enjoyed. The two just go together. I mean there are probably times where ravers are trying to lay off drugs and still dress up which is cool. But for me, intoxication and raves are the way to go. I’m sure most of you know this already.
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January 19, 2012 at 3:59 am