Raves are a prime opportunity to express yourself. Here are six festival fashion tips to ensure your look lands, no matter the outing.
We’re gonna let you guys in on a little secret. DJs aren’t the stars of your favorite festival — you are. And this is more than just some platitude a clever marketer came up with for EDC lineup graphic footers. You’ve always been the main character of the rave, and it’s time you owned it.
But heed these words: Being fabulous is a responsibility. You don’t just get to saunter through the gates wearing whatever you had on at work that day. Festival fashion takes a little finesse, and a lot of creativity. As long as you keep a few general guidelines in mind, though, you can make any rave your own personal runway.
There’s nothing better than feeling yourself in an immersive environment where the music, production, and — of course — your ‘fit are all on point. Read on for tried-and true rave fashion tips that will make sure you remain the center of attention all summer long.
Six Rave and Festival Fashion Tips to Rock the 2025 Season in Style
Wear What Makes You Feel Confident
If you’ve read this far, you can probably tell we want to boost your confidence. But we can only do so much. If you haven’t figured out all the little hacks that make you feel more present in the moment, now is the time to do so — and spoiler alert, your self-image is a big part of it.
That means that first and foremost, you should wear what makes you feel good. This comes before trends or even any of the rest of the tips below. And while this varies from person to person, we would recommend checking out Devil Walking as a starting point. We consider it the hottest rave outfits shop on account of its immaculate looks and unbeatable prices.
Be Smart: Layer Up
If you’re even remotely plugged in, you know how unpredictable the weather has been at festivals lately. It could be sunny in the morning, and rainy enough by noon to ride your inflatable mattress through puddles like a life raft. You must dress accordingly.
Doing so doesn’t mean sacrificing style, though. Mesh tops and leg warmers are but a couple great ways to add layers and retain heat — and they look killer to boot. And while harnesses aren’t necessarily a way to stay warm, they can help you pull a more functional look together.
Make Comfort a Priority
Whoever said “pain is beauty” clearly never rocked a look while dancing until the sun came up. Ravers wouldn’t have lasted longer than 1988’s Second Summer of Love without comfy shoes and baggy pants.
And great news — baggy pants are back in fashion again, in case you’ve been living under a rock. For an old school look, check out classic brands like JNCO and Kikwear. BDG by Urban Outfitters is a more recent popular brand, and you can’t go wrong with joggers.
Accessorize with Intention
You’ll connect more with your fellow ravers if you make it clear that you understand the assignment. The EDM community has its own look, feel, and philosophy. All it takes is a few well thought-out accessories to project that you got the memo.
Kandi bracelets have always been raver currency — no matter how hard Swifties may try to make it their thing. Glitter can also add to the visual panache of a top-tier rave ‘fit, and any sort of LED gear really goes the extra mile.
Consider the Theme
Festival organizers assign themes to their events for a reason. It gives the attendees a common purpose bigger than dancing together for however many days. By dressing for the theme, you can harness this collective energy to make your look connect with more of your fellow revelers than ever before.
Here again, Devil Walking makes it easy to do so with their extensive selection of booty shorts for women. From trippy smileys to psychedelic swirls to animal print and vaguely horror-themed designs, they’ve got something for every occasion.
Stay Hydrated and Carry Essentials
It’s important to drink plenty of water when dancing at a festival for extended periods of time. Fortunately for you, ravers are an innovative bunch. Members of our vibrant community have designed hydration packs that marry form and function well enough to merit being part of your ‘fit.
We also recommend bringing a portable charger, earplugs, a fanny pack, sunglasses, chapstick, and chewing gum. Remember: You need to feel good to look good. Don’t skimp on the basics, and you’ll come ready to leave an impression that will last a lifetime.
