How to Recreate Iconic 90s Rave Fashion

man dressed in 90s fashion

Rave culture started in the 80s but exploded only in the following decade.

Despite government crackdowns, the sound of the underground was spreading like wildfire. It was accompanied by a new look tailored to society rebels and outcasts. We’re talking about the generation yearning to push the boundaries and demolish the norms.

Over the years, the rave fashion showed incredible persistence. Recently, it has made a big comeback in the realm of mainstream aesthetics. We can see rave staples like Doc Martens and mini-backpacks roaming the streets once more.

This goes to show that rave remains a big creative outlet for youth.

If you want to join the party train, behold. Here is how to make a bold fashion statement in the true spirit of a 90s rave fashion.

A Different Kind of Cool

Rave fashion is a mesmerizing fusion of many different style influences.

They range from merry cartoons to gloomy Goth apparel. There are many avenues to explore, but we will focus on an array of 90s classics. They challenged the designer dress code and got away with it too.

First off, rave purists swear by their baggy pants. Some of them even sport those enormous phat pants you don’t really see anywhere else. For now, these fashion relics remain in the “ironically cool” territory, but that could change in the future.

And if this sounds too wacky, you can go for plain jeans. They are as popular today as they were back in the 90s. In the form of the good old bell-bottoms, they pose a nice compromise between the new and the old.

Another option to ponder downstairs is a minimal, flirty skirt or a tutu skirt. Yes, it’s quite a common sight in modern music festivals. Micro shorts with cutouts fit the bill.

For some, dressing down and looking hot has always been the name of the game. That being said, the sexed-up atmosphere is just one facet of the rave culture. In the 90s, it wasn’t as prevalent as today.

During the glory days, you had more chance of seeing tracksuits and puffer jackets than revealing skirts.

United Colors of 90s Rave Fashion

Ornate, multi-colored outfits are ravers’ most loyal companions.

A dance floor was a place where minimalism would go to die and excess was its bane. A more edgy, predominantly black look you see these days deviates from the 90s dogma. To keep this gimmick at bay, you can employ shimmering neon lights.

Defining the night cityscape in the 90s, they have a special place in any old school raver’s memory.

No matter would club you hit, radiant colors and stark contrasts were everywhere. So, you want to use them to revive the cyber-style of parties long gone.

This isn’t to say have to give your body a head-to-toe neon treatment. Buy a piece of the light-up apparel.

Furthermore, we have to give a nod to T-shirt emblems.

They were all the rage and there’s no better proof than the Acid House Smiley. This iconic symbol captures the essence of raving— happiness. You can find it on anything from school books to pills.

In recent years, however, its popularity has decreased. Younger ravers seem to be fonder of the alien face.

Similarly, colorful cartoon characters represent another rave epitome. Instead of Mickey Mouse and Looney Tunes, you could go for Rick & Morty or Spongebob. In fact, anything with a hologram, illusion, or a psychedelic/paisley print is a fair game.

In case this doesn’t seem like your kind of thing, take the opposite route. Cover the whole of your body with a boiler suit or a denim overall suit.  More modern counterparts would be onesies and dungarees.

It’s even better if you find ridiculously oversized pieces.

Dressed to Kill

When it comes to shoes, the king Adidas still reigns supreme.

It even made a huge comeback in street style. Thus, you can look contemporary and pack that blast from the past in one stroke.  A list of rave-approved options also includes Vans, Converse, and Doc Martens.

Other tennis-shoe brands and Y.R.U platform shoes aren’t to be overlooked either.

Finally, we have Accessories and paraphernalia, which are an absolute raving must.

You might remember pacifiers, which had a specific function: to alleviate the jaw-clenching effects of ecstasy. Nowadays, sober ravers can go for candy pacifiers, toy whistles, and candy lollipops.  

On the other hand, visors are a remnant of the cyberspace style. This look has to be one of our favorite manifestations of rebel rave culture.   

Whatever you do, just steer away from fine jewelry. It’s a no-go— a deadly fashion sin. Instead, stick to bright plastic beads and fluorescent accessories. You can also shop these LED bracelets and bring glow and fun wherever you go. 

Add an outlaw-worthy bandana to go along with that and you’re set to go. Oh, and don’t forget the sunglasses to protect yourself from strobe lights, prying eyes and lasers.

With these tips in mind, you can go on to flesh out your distinct look. Put your own twist on the convention.

Just remember that a lot has changed over the years. The rave culture of the 90s was a foyer for the geeks and freaks, while modern, mainstream EDM festivals are all but.  

One probably cannot hope to enter places like Berlin’s legendary Berghain club decked in neon and bright colors. Nevertheless, or maybe precisely because of this, 90s rave fashion stays as uncompromising as ever.

The Night Beckons

Numerous music and fashion trends come and go fast.

Some of them have staying power and clash with mainstream styles, which makes them mutate.  Well, if you ask us, there’s something truly special about rolling back the clock.

Indeed, resurrecting the renegade spirit keeps the 90s rave fashion alive. It enables you to get an injection of nostalgia and show what you’re made of.

Just try to stay true to rave movement’s original mission: empowering experimentation and self-expression. It’s all about the fantasy and thrill of stepping out of the tedious loop of everyday life.

So, put on those bright colors, crazy patterns, and a boatload of accessories. Dare to be different, however radical and outrageous it may seem to others.

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