So you’ve got your tickets, your hotel, and your travel all settled, now all you need is an amazing outfit or three for your next event. If you are new to shopping for festivals, it can be a little overwhelming trying to figure out where to shop, what to wear, and how to put it all together to make a fantastic look.

The key for the first time raver is to try and keep it simple. You are still exploring and figuring out what you feel comfortable in. I didn’t start out being comfortable in a bikini and giant platforms. Maybe you are totally chill wearing a thong and glitter boobs for your first event, but if you aren’t it helps to work your way up in intensity. Another thing to keep in mind is that you don’t know how your body is going to react to raving. Even though at my first event I was fine for most of the night, by the end of the evening I was freezing-cold (even though I was pretty conservatively dressed in bike shorts and a top). Now I make sure to have a shrug or coat with me. As I said, it takes time and experimentation. Jumping into the deep-end can be fun, but it can also leave you really cold and uncomfortable.

So, I wanted to compile a little list of great places and awesome brands to check out when you get your first rave outfit.

DOLLS KILL (RETAILER)

Dolls Kill is a staple of mine. It offers quick shipping, and a GIANT range of club and rave wear brands. It is more of an aggregator than anything else, but it is a great first stop for anyone looking to find something to wear. They carry shoes, tops, matching sets, accessories and really anything else you can think of. You can visit them online or in their IRL locations.

CLUBEXX (BRAND)

Clubexx is one of the many brands carried by Dollskill, but it is a standout and continually has new, cool, pieces that range from laid-back to the super out there. They always have a cool selection of matching sets and one-pieces. Their prices are also really reasonable with most items around $20-$30.

CURRENT MOOD (BRAND)

Current mood is another brand carried by Dollskill. Like Clubexx they have super affordable looks, but they offer pieces that are a little bit more toned down. If you want to dip your toes into rave pieces, I would start with some of theirs.

DEMONIA (BRAND)

Another brand carried by Dollskill (but also available on Amazon) is Demonia. They make some of the most amazing shoes out there, and if you want to really step up your rave game (literally, they make some awesome platform shoes), they are a brand to check out. Another plus is that the majority of their shoes are black and reasonably priced, so if you wanted to invest in a basic pair that you can wear time and time again, they are worth considering.

EASY TIGER (Brand)

Easy tiger is a personal favorite of mine. They specialize in hand sequined sets and coats that are pretty amazing. The attention to detail in their clothes is amazing, and you are guaranteed to stop the show in one of their bodysuits or sets. Their stuff is a little on the pricey side, and the shipping can take a little longer (they ship from the UK), but if you can afford it, you won’t regret picking up one of their sequined masterpieces.

I.AM.GIA (Brand)

I AM GIA may not technically be a ‘rave clothing’ brand, but they put out a ton of pieces that work really well (bodysuits, cycle shorts, tops, etc.). The Australian label is a little bit pricey, but they make some show-stopping pieces that can transition from festival to more everyday events like birthday parties or even dinner with friends.

LIPT LABEL (Brand)

Another Australian brand, LIPT carries some amazing bodysuits, jumpsuits, and chaps along with a range of awesome bags. Again a little more expensive then Clubexx or Current Mood, but their one of a kind aesthetic and ridiculously cook pieces make it worth a look. Another plus is that their clothes are very simple, with solid colors that are easily mixed and matched with other pieces.

IHeartRaves (Retailer)

IHeartRaves is another good place to start. They carry a HUGE range of rave wear items in all sorts of colors and prints. They have something for everyone. Another advantage is that their' pieces are a little more on the affordable side.

This is by no means a complete list. There are hundreds of little brands that carry amazing clothes, shoes, accessories and anything else you can think of, but these are some of the highlights that might help you on your quest to put together your first rave outfit. In the future, I will compile a more extensive index of all the brands that I would recommend, but for your first festival, these brands and retailers should have everything you could possibly need. Now all you need to do is get creative!

HAPPY SHOPPING