Rave and kandi

Rave dressing started with acid house in the late 1980s and is now the look of the big dance festivals: EDC, Ultra, Tomorrowland and Creamfields. In North America it centres on kandi, beaded bracelets that are swapped between strangers. The outfits are bright, light and easy to move in, because the sets often run all night.

Where it comes from

• Acid house, from 1988 onward, brought smiley faces and slogans such as "Peace, Love, Unity". The 1990s added phat pants, fluffy boots, neon, glow sticks, white gloves, whistles, pacifiers and feather boas. Wikipedia: Rave
• Since the 2000s, North American rave style has centred on kandi: beaded jewellery that glows under UV light and is traded under the PLUR ethos (Peace, Love, Unity, Respect). Wikipedia: Rave
• To trade kandi, two people make a half-heart with their hands, press palms together, and slide a bracelet from one arm to the other. PLUR sometimes adds a second R for "Responsibility". (From a search snippet; the page itself did not load.) USC Folklore Archive

Key pieces

• Rave set or bodysuitLight and easy to dance in.
• Mesh top or layerBreathes in the heat and layers over a set.
• Iridescent or holographic fabricCatches the stage lights.
• Platform boots or broken-in sneakersVenues like the Las Vegas speedway mean hours on your feet.
• Kandi cuffs and singlesBring spares to trade.
• LED accessoriesAllowed at EDC Las Vegas, but some festivals ban LED gloves.
• Hydration packMost festivals want it empty at the gate with limited pockets.
• Clear bagSome US festivals only allow clear bags above a small clutch size.

Lately

• 2023: At Tomorrowland, "The personalisation of the flags has already become one of Tomorrowland's fashion statements." Boxer braids with coloured strands, body crystals, bandanas and funky socks are typical. We Rave You
• 2025: Tomorrowland and Sarda released a seven-piece, all-black, lingerie-style festival collection inspired by Art Nouveau and nature on 4 April 2025. FashionUnited UK
• 2026: A fan report from Tomorrowland 2026: "There was no dress code. Everyday athleisure stood alongside traditional festival fits, sequins, glitter, elaborate costumes, fantasy characters, jerseys, tiny rave sets…" EDM Maniac
• 2026: Pinterest's "Peak Poptimism!" trend fits rave dressing: "butterfly makeup" searches up 60% and "uv resin jewelry ideas" up 65%. Its "Sheer Euphoria" trend lists "underground rave outfit" up 40%. Pinterest Newsroom, 31 Mar 2026

Leave these at home

• Anything that looks like a police, fire, security or medical uniform, including hi-vis vests. EDC Las Vegas also bans gas masks and red light-up wands. EDC Las Vegas Festival Guidelines
• LED gloves and glow sticks at Coachella. Both are on its banned list. Coachella FAQ
• Glitter, feathers, rhinestones, sequins and wigs at Burning Man. Its guide says: "Don't bring items that easily become MOOP, like: glitter, feathers, rhinestones, artificial grass, sequins, wigs…" Burning Man: What to Pack
• Native American-style headdresses. Coachella has drawn criticism for "cultural appropriation, particularly non-natives wearing Native American-inspired headdresses and body paint". Wikipedia: Coachella