The revival of 1970s disco fashion, Y2K fashion, and independent fashion is currently popular. Y2K encompasses the well-known 1990s, but rave fashion has yet to return. Certain elements of it have persisted, while others have changed throughout time, but first, let’s define 90s rave fashion.
What Is Old School Rave Fashion From the 1990s?
Back in the day, rave attire was brightly colored, tie-dyed, and frequently plastered in smiley faces. Bomber coats, flat-top baseball caps, and bumbags were among the other items. A lot of fashion came from the way people lived during the period. The vivid colors and boiler suits, as well as the masks, were frequently used to heighten the effects of psychedelic drugs, which we won’t go into too much detail about. It’s vital to remember that 90s rave culture was more about defying cultural standards than it was about fashion. It was like leaving your “regular” existence behind and entering a thrilling new world. People who went to raves just wanted their apparel to symbolize their carefree and joyous outlook on life, especially in the early 1990s.
Rave Fashion In The Early 1990s:
The rave dress of the early 1990s was largely practical. As rave music made its way into the mainstream music world, so did fashion. Many of them were visible during the day. Bucket hats and tie-dye were popular both throughout the day and at the nocturnal raves. Because many early raves were held outside and participants needed some type of protection from the British weather, the outfit was labeled as utilitarian.
Rave Fashion From The Late 1990s:
Rave fashion evolved from the 1990s to the early 2000s. It became much more flamboyant and crazy, as many people recall ‘rave fashion’ to be. When we think about rave clothes, we think of neon tank tops, string vests, and hair bands. The late 1990s became more about fashion than music, with girls wanting to look beautiful and men wanting to dress differently than they do every day. Ravers still like to dress in something little and brightly colored.
Women’s Rave Fashion From the 1990s:
Because everyone was dressing for the elements, there wasn’t much of a gender divide in fashion at the time. Women began dressing to appear good rather than dress for the British weather in the late 1990s. Soon, the emphasis shifted to smaller ensembles and the dreaded fluffy boots… However, as rave fashion returns, there are fewer cheerful faces and more neon apparel, with the occasional bum bag but, mercifully, no fluffy boots.
Is Rave Fashion From the 1990s Still Popular Now?
Rave culture is still very much about wearing whatever you want, but as we witnessed in the 1990s, it has evolved into much more of a fashion display. Techno events, and festivals in general, for example, Coachella, are very much a dress-to-impress occasion. Fashion and expressiveness are inextricably linked. It makes perfect sense that raves have been a space to express yourself on multiple levels, including through attire. So, yeah, rave attire from the 1990s is still fashionable!
