What To Wear To Certain DJs/Venues/Festivals
The number one thing I find most difficult before I go to a show is figuring out what I should wear. Everyone knows that when it comes to EDM and rave culture, style is the number one way you can either stand out, or blend in. All of this is based on my personal experiences between living in Phoenix, Chicago, Dallas, and Colorado. Each venue has their own set of rules, so make sure you look up the dress code guidelines before you get decked out in kandi, LEDs, or gloves.
Porter Robinson
When I went to see Porter Robinson at the Aragon Ballroom for the Worlds Tour, absolutely nobody was decked out in any type of rave wear. Everyone was just wearing plain t-shirts and jeans, or just something cute and summery (since it was the middle of summer in Chicago). I had the Worlds logo【 =◈︿◈=】on my face and shoulders using makeup and I felt like I stood out like a sore thumb. Personally, I wore a crop top, a maxi skirt, and a pair of Keds that were similar to the colors of the Worlds album cover. I felt like those were a very good choice because I was super comfortable, able to dance, and didn't get too hot. If you're a guy going to see Porter Robinson, I suggest you wear a t-shirt and shorts with some basic sneakers. If you're a girl, wear a crop top, a pair of high waisted shorts, and comfortable tennis shoes.
North Coast
Chicago has a very interesting style as far as ravewear goes. As people from chicago may know, street and urban wear is very popular there. High tops, snap backs, and straightleg jeans are super popular. At North Coast it was very very warm, even when the sun had set. It was super humid. As some of you may know, sometimes the weather in Chicago can be a little bit unpredictable. So naturally, I brought a kimono with me just in case I got cold. Unfortunately, this was a terrible idea because it was so hot and humid outside. Don't bring an outer layer to North Coast unless you know that the weather is supposed to be colder. Eventually, I took off my kimono and laced it through my belt loops so I wouldn't have to keep track of it or hold onto it. I also made the mistake of wearing my beloved Steve Madden troopas to North Coast. Now, I swear by my Troopas because they get me through everything, but at North Coast, they were a terrible idea. The ground was super uneven and the backs of my troopas go up to my mid calf so my back was hurting like crazy because I couldn't rotate my ankles. Make sure if you're going to North Coast, try not to wear high tops because your back and ankles will hurt so bad by the time the festival is over, you won't even have enjoyed yourself. Other than that, I wore a crop top and high waisted jeans, which is my go-to summer rave outfit that always keeps me cool and never fails me! I keep everything I need in my pockets, dont bring my purse, and I am good to go! Guy or girl, whatever you are, wear low backed shoes, and something cool and comfortable. Glitter and flower crowns for girls was a very popular choice and t-shirts and shorts with converse were on almost every guy I saw.
Lights All Night
Anyone who has been to Lights All Night in Dallas will know that you basically have to go through airport security before you get into the venue. That being said, MAKE GOOD CHOICES AND BE RESPONSIBLE. You have been warned, They make you take off your shoes, pat you down, and wave you with a wand before they let you into the convention center. This year, I think the Lights all Night venue has moved, but I'm not sure if the security is strictly for the convention center or if it's a security company hired by the Lights all Night company. I wore a Rolling stones V-neck tee and my trusty high waisted shorts and keds and had my hair in a pony tail. The only thing was that it was December so it was a little bit cold outside, but it was Dallas, so it wasn't too bad. They did have a coat check, so if you are planning on wearing a rave bra, short shorts, and leg wraps, this would be a fine decision, but definitely bring your coat just in case you will be standing outside waiting in line, or waiting for an uber home. I definitely saw lots of people in skimpy rave wear, but there were lots of people in normal clothing, too, so what I had chosen to wear was perfect. My friend and his whole group were wearing sombreros, which were perfect because we were able to find each other in the huge crowd super easy. I could imagine that they probably got a little bit annoying being around your neck once you started dancing, though. If you are going with a group, I suggest a squad theme so that you are able to find the others who look like you in the crowd. LED costumes will also make people easier to find. Glitter, tutus, and rhinestones are recommended!
Above & Beyond
I've made some really awkward mistakes of going over the top before actually having been to a venue or seeing a certain DJ. This is why I am writing this blog post to help you guys know what you should wear. For some reason, I thought that glitter kitty cat whiskers painted onto my face would be a good idea for Above & Beyond. Everything else I wore was pretty basic, including a fringed long grey crop top, my high waisted shorts and my black keds. As soon as I walked into the venue, though, I realized the glitter kitty whiskers were a terrible idea. Everyone looked so super normal, and I also realized that Above & Beyond had a much older demographic than other shows that I am used to, so I immediately went into the bathroom and whiped off the whiskers. To Above & Beyond, wear all black everything. Men can wear a nice black button up, but there were also people in t-shirts and snapbacks. Women, don't go over the top for Above & Beyond. Stay basic if possible.
Flux Pavilion
For Flux I had started to learn my lesson about going to raves looking over the top before having been to the venue. However, I had seasoned raver friends with me who has been to the venue before and we squaded up and wore glowing mouse ear headbands. Everyone was so impressed with them we kept getting asked "Did you get those here (at Lizard Lounge)?" The answer was surprisingly Nordstrom! Nordstrom at the time had an EDM pop in shop and they were selling super cute glow wear! The headbands were perfect because we were able to find each other in the crowd and they totally matched the style of music for Flux. Other than that, I wore a cami and a cardigan, which I later tied around my waist once I got too hot. This is my go to look for shows most of the time now. I always take a cardigan because I always start out cold, then I tie it around my waist once I start dancing.
Showtek
For Showtek at the Bomb Factory in Dallas, I wore a acid washed denim button up and skinny jeans, a white cropped shawl that tied in the front, and then a bright flourescent bra. I also wore a metal V shaped necklace on my forehead because I was trying to go for a "space princess" look. I definitely suggest going all out for Showtek. I ended up tying the denim shirt around my waist and waved my cover up in the air. I was dancing so much and my friend and I were right in front of the crowd so we got super hot. I ended up wearing just my bra, and I was totally okay with it. It was too dang hot for anything else.
Morgan Page
I had made a set of super awesome LED rave wings for Morgan Page, and basically wore the same outfit I had worn to Showtek, except instead of skinny jeans I wore shorts. The rave wings were awesome and the club photographer at Lizard Lounge got a photo of me wearing them. However, Lizard Lounge has a super small main room that always gets way too crammed, so when a show sells out there, there is no room to move. My wings were poking and hitting everyone and people kept getting mad at me. Eventually, my boyfriend bent the wings down and made them into glowing shoulder pads. I was sad that he bent them, but realized it was for the best because trying to dance in them in a sold out over-crowded room was just not working out. Morgan Page is a very mainstream and college aged DJ. Wear a tank if the club allows them for men, or just a t-shirt. Girls, wear something cool, basic, and comfortable.
Dada Life
As everyone knows, Dada Life loves bananas, smiling, champagne, and pillowfights. I can't remember what I ended up wearing, but it was not my first choice of outfit. I was going to wear a yellow distressed tank that said "dont forget to smile" with a yellow bralette underneath. In hindsight, I'm not sure why I didn't wear that outfit because I realize it would have been perfect. I guess I thought it was too juvenile, but it actually would have been the perfect outfit. Wear something with bananas on it to Dada Life.
Kill The Noise/Knife Party
Go all out in full raver gear for a Kill the Noise and Knife Party show. I wore an awesome under armour type fabric tank that kept me cool. It said "You Can't Trip With Us". It was perfect. I got it from Dolls Kill. I definitely recommend wearing your rave platforms, furries, and kandi to a show like this, though. For guys, LED glow T-shirts and accessories were a great choice that I saw lots of people wearing.
Hardwell
When I went to go see Hardwell, I was probably pretty over dressed, but at the same time, I did not care because it was subtle, but not too subtle. I wore the same outfit I wore to Showtek and Morgan Page (minus the glow wings) plus a DIY Unicorn Horn and my YRU unicorn rave platforms. Hardwell is very mainstream, though, so you might see some people in rave attire, but not too many. It's mostly a brofest, so tanks and snapbacks were huge. And girls can just wear something basic like shorts and a crop top.
Timmy Trumpet
I changed it up for this show and did a pinup style hairdo for my hair. However, I was headbanging like crazy at this show, so none of the bobby pins stayed in place and my hair basically just fell down by the end of the show. Ponytail recommended for headbanging females. For my outfit, I just wore a basic crop top and high waisted shorts. There were a few modern day kandi kids there who I exchanged kandi with, but everyone was dressed very brotastic and basic. Tanks, tees, and sneakers for the win. Guys can totally get away with wearing a bandana and snapback.
Borgeous
I don't think I even tried very hard for the Borgeous concert. I had a friend in town and my boyfriend came along, too, so all I wore was a plain grey tank and shorts. I recommend something very basic for borgeous, though.
Something Wicked
Now this is a super fun festival, but hopefully it doesn't get rained out and flooded for those of you who decide to go next year. The festival itself got cancelled but we went to the after parties at Stereo Live. I dressed at Yoshi the first night with a Yoshi felt rave bra covered in rhinestones and white fur, bright green high waisted shorts, bright green leg wraps, and my YRU unicorn platforms. The second day I had a mermaid rave bra covered in pearls, rhinestones, and starfish with high waisted shorts and spray paint converse picked out, but I didn't end up going to day two. So I will probably end up wearing that outfit to Decadence this year. Something Wicked is a Halloween Festival, though, so anything goes. But please, try not to look scary because your rave brothers and sisters might be under the influence of something and it could scar them for life. Think good, fun, positive halloween vibes!
Run DMT
This was a very small underground show and there were lots of men with dreads and tiedye shirts. My friends and I wore all black and looked very gothic. I wore a Free People frayed-hem tank with lace, a black miniskirt, and thigh high black socks. I also brought a cardigan which I wrapped around my waist once I started dancing. Think soft grunge for an underground show like this.
Bad Royale/Kicks & Licks/Bear Grillz
Rave wear, kandi, or college type apparel would be great for a show like this. Bear Grillz is a lot of fun to dance to, and you will be dancing a lot, so make sure you wear something cool. Also, bring some kandi to trade, because I noticed a lot of people had it. Furry animal hats were also a popular item amongst these show goers.
Jauz
I went to go see Jauz with my boyfriend at Beta Night Club in Colorado. I had a friend who recommended to me not to go too decked out as a kandi kid because it is more of a club vibe there. On some level I agree with him, but it wasn't as clubby as I was expecting it to be. There was nobody there wearing super nice button up shirts, but Beta does not allow anything with sports insignia and they also do not allow flip flops or LED gloves. Regular every day clothing would be good to wear to a show at this venue. I did see a girl wearing a full rave get up including furries, pig tails, and a fox tail. However, I wouldn't recommend wearing this as she was the only one. However, wear whatever you are comfortable dancing in. Leggings and a T-shirt were too much clothing for me once I started dancing, so I recommend something a little cooler.
So I hope this blog post helps you pick out your next outfit for whichever DJ you are going to see. I've been to a lot of shows, but at the same time, I still feel like I have a ton of shows that I need to see. If you feel like I've missed anything, or you would like to recommend me to add something to this post, feel free to email me at alyssa@ravepositive.com
