What to wear to a rave: Women's outfit inspiration
Key takeaways
- Raves are inclusive and accepting spaces where like-minded, free-spirited individuals can enjoy music and express themselves.
- Rave culture is based on the four principles of peace, love, unity and respect (known as PLUR amongst ravers).
- Avoid clothing that’s not comfortable. Don’t wear too many layers, leave the high heels at home and don’t wear your most expensive stuff.
- Wear noise-reducing earplugs to protect your ears from the loud noise.
- Go bold with your rave clothing choices. Glitter, sparkles, neon, fluorescent – anything goes. And above all, be confident and enjoy yourself.
What’s not to love about a rave?
It’s just one massive neon-lit, EDM-infused, dance-filled, crazy party. Everyone is equal. Which is pretty damn cool, right?
Raving is all about building a safe and inclusive space for like-minded people to let themselves go, embrace the music and express themselves freely.
Rave culture is built on four main principles: peace, love, unity and respect (otherwise known as PLUR in the rave world). There’s even a PLUR handshake used exclusively among ravers.
So when it comes to women’s rave clothing, you want to match that mentality. Free minds. Free spirits. And full freedom of expression.
It’s time to explore the outer limits of your style, let loose and get adventurous. That being said, choosing an outfit can still be an overwhelming experience.
In this article we’re going to take you on a rave fashion ride, including a ton of inspiration for women’s rave wear (and what clothing to avoid).
Let’s get started.
How to dress for a rave?
The first thing to remember?
Rave fashion is nothing like what you’d wear every day.
When it comes to your outfit, it’s the ideal opportunity to go wild with your wardrobe.
Think bright colors, unique print combinations, intoxicating outfits – pretty much anything goes.
Prepare to challenge your own boundaries and experiment. Women’s rave clothes are all about self-expression with endless possibilities.
That’s not to say it isn’t a little intimidating. If you’re a first-time raver, you might feel more than a little unsure on how to get started.
But don’t worry, we’re here to help.
Here are our tips for women’s outfit inspiration:
Women’s outfit inspiration
1. Kandi
Kandi is one of the biggest staples in rave culture.
These brightly colored beaded bracelets are a distinctive and unique part of raving and are designed to be given away to others, spreading PLUR (peace, love, unity and respect – the rave mantra) in the process.
Over time, people have become more creative with their Kandi-making, branching out into necklaces, masks and even some clothing.
Giving out Kandi is an awesome way to connect with fellow ravers, immerse yourself in the experience and make friendships that could last a lifetime.
Plus, you can take them home with you as a keepsake.
2. Go bold with colors
Raves are not a time to be conservative with colors.
The hottest rave outfits out there are bright and eye-catching. The options are limitless.
So go vivid, glossy and memorable – experiment, it’s totally up to you!
As we said before, rave fashion is to be explored.
Here are some ideas to get you started.
You could try:
- UV
- Neons
- Psychedelic
- Metallic
- Trippy prints
- Fluorescent colors
Why not incorporate your bold colors with clothing such as hot pants, a sparkly corset or glittery fishnets?
Don’t be shy! The bolder, the better.
3. Clothing with total freedom of movement
Of course, style matters. But clothing comfort is also a must.
Remember, you’re going to be dancing, enjoying the music and chatting to friends. You want to be as comfortable as possible and not be bugged by what you’re wearing.
You know your own limits – what might be comfortable for others might be irritating for you. It’s all down to your personal preferences.
4. Wear noise-reducing earplugs
We all know and love raves for the music, but the fact is they are very loud.
In fact, most raves can reach noise levels of around 100 decibels. And when you consider that exposing your ears to noise levels above 70 decibels for a prolonged period of time can cause noise-induced hearing loss, it’s a bit of a wake-up call.
By investing in noise-reducing earplugs you can protect your hearing all day and night, without compromising on sound quality.
Our Loop Experience earplugs will allow you to hear every beat with complete clarity. They feature a patented acoustic channel and mesh which allows them to filter sound equally across all frequencies.
This means you’ll enjoy the event to the max without damaging your ears in the process.
Not only that, but they’re also super comfortable and stylish, coming in a range of colors that will go with any outfit you choose.
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5. Rave glasses
Whether it’s day or night, rave glasses are a fun rave accessory.
Epic stage production is a huge part of raving, with intense lasers, strobe lights and other psychedelic visuals. By wearing rave glasses you’ll make sure you’ll keep your eyes protected and use them as an accessory.
If you want to further enhance your visual experience, there are special types of glasses that will make you see the world in a new light. Check out diffraction glasses and kaleidoscope goggles for the trippiest visuals ever.
6. Face mask/bandana
Face masks and bandanas are staples of rave fashion wear.
Raves can be dusty places. With thousands of people dancing around kicking up dust and debris, the last thing you want is to spend the days following a rave coughing your lungs up.
So be wise and protect yourself. There are tons of trippy and stylish face masks and bandanas out there that will surely fit your outfit perfectly.
7. Face glitter, jewels and body stickers
No rave outfit for women is complete without some sparkle.
Once your outfit is planned out, you can take it to the next level with some chunky rave glitter, face jewels or body stickers.
It’s impossible to go overboard. There will always be someone wearing more glitter than you – so go crazy.
8. Reflective clothing
With some reflective clothing or accessories, you’ll light up the night.
Reflective clothing is activated by the flash in your phone camera and instantly transforms your look.
Not only do reflective clothes complement every skin tone and body shape, but they also look incredible under all the bright lights of a rave.
9. Makeup
Rave makeup ideas are all about color, pop and sparkle.
Here are our rave makeup inspiration ideas:
- Glitter glam
Go crazy with glitter and shimmer. You can use glitter eyeshadow, blush or even body glitter. We love this one by Sparkle Town.
- Luscious lashes
If false eyelashes are your thing, it’s time to go big. You could try some glitter-lined lashes, or lashes covered in sparkles or rhinestones. You’ll need some eyelash glue and some mascara to set them in.
- Go bright with your nails
Spice up your look and give your nails some color. Sequins, glitter, fluorescent colors – whichever way you choose to go, it’s a great way to complement your outfit and make a statement.
- Bold hair
Ever wondered what you’d look like with neon hair? How about colorful hair extensions? Now is your chance to find out. You could also style your hair with some rave braids or accessorize with some rhinestone clips to complete your look.
What should I not wear at a rave?
When it comes to rave fashion, it’s true that pretty much anything goes.
But there are still some general rave rules to live by, ones that keep comfort in mind.
Here are our tips on what to avoid:
- Uncomfortable shoes
You’re likely going to be dancing for hours on end. And while heels or platforms may look the part, it doesn’t mean they’re the best footwear choice.
Look after those dancing feet. If you don’t think you can dance in them for eight hours or longer, then opt for something more comfortable.
You’ll also want to wear closed-toe shoes. You don’t want your toes trampled on while you’re doing your thing on the dance floor.
And whatever shoes you choose, make sure you break them in beforehand. You don’t want to risk getting blisters early on in the day.
- Too many layers
When it comes to women’s rave outfits, less is definitely more.
And that’s not only because of the fashion.
Raves are hot. You're going to be swimming amongst a sea of sweaty, dancing bodies. So don’t wear too many layers, to avoid putting yourself at risk of overheating and dehydration.
- Expensive clothing
You’re in your brand-new designer gear.
But it’s now covered in beer, bubbles, foam and glitter. Yep, you’re at a rave. You were always going to get messy.
So leave your expensive clothes at home. You’ll be relieved you did when you see the state of your rave clothes the next morning.
Remember your essentials
The last thing you want to do is go overboard with your belongings, but there are some items that you just can’t do without.
Remember to bring the following with you:
- Hand sanitizer and face wipes
They’re ideal for hygiene and feeling fresh.
- Portable charger
Perfect for when your phone runs out of battery.
- Sunscreen
Remember to keep your skin protected from the heat.
- Flat shoes
It’s a good idea to bring some flats to change into if your feet are getting sore.
In hot temperatures when you’re dancing the night away it’s important to stay hydrated. Hydration packs are an easy and convenient way to make sure you’re getting enough water.
- ID and credit or debit card
Never be tempted to leave your ID at home. Chances are you’ll be refused entry. And keep your credit or debit card close for trips to the bar (and a taxi home!).
Happy raving!
Raves are places to let yourself go and enjoy the moment. But remember, you don’t have to look like everyone else in order to have a blast.
The raving community are a welcoming and warm bunch. So wear clothes that make you feel confident, keep an open mind and enjoy the experience of a lifetime.
That’s the true essence of a rave.
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