Create an 80s or 90s Acid House - Raver Look

With its squelching bass sounds (often created using a Roland TB-303 bass synth) and minimalist production, the sound of acid house first became popular in the latter half of the 80s, starting in 1987. The media were more focused on the illegal raves and psychedelic drugs, but in reality, a good many young folk enjoyed dancing to the new sound in nightclubs (including myself) without going anywhere near any drugs or illegal raves.

What is synonymous with the acid house scene is the smiley face logo, and the T-shirt featuring the logo, along with tie dye and psychedelic clothing, and bucket hats which became popular with ravers.

Baggy over the knee shorts were popular with men. Bandanas and dungarees/dungaree shorts were also worn by both sexes. Some ravers also had yellow whistles. In the early 90s, white overalls, hooded anoracks and yellow dust masks with an "E", smiley face or radiation symbol also became part of the rave scene. Initially, the dust masks were hand-made, and this can easily be done using a white dust mask and neon yellow spray paint. Use a black marker pen to create a black edging (optional) and "E" or smiley face in the centre.

In the early 90s, rave duo Altern-8 wore hooded anoracks with "A" masks

There are plenty of T-shirts available at Amazon.co.uk, (for men and women) and the first one displayed here features the classic smiley face.

See ALL acid house T-shirts at Amazon

This video will give you some ideas on what to wear, although you'll just have to ignore the lousy dancing. You will notice that waistcoats are being worn here, and this style is borrowed from the 60s hippy scene when fringed waiscoats were all the rage.

I also remember Kellogg's and other parody T-shirts with drug references such as "Smack, Crack and Pot" and "Nice Tripsies" being worn.

Gerald's Voodoo Rays 1988 T-shirtRaver's Nice Tripsies T-shirtACID NASA Parody T-shirtHappy Monday's Indie Print T-shirt

"Voodoo Ray" by A Guy Called Gerald became a big acid house hit in the late 80s, and Happy Mondays sound emerged from the rave and acid house scene. The band became pioneers of the Madchester sound.


Here are my favourite T-shirts designs I found at Amazon UK...

Men Acid House Smiley Face T-Shirt, Black - S to XXXLWomens Acid Smiley Face Black T-Shirt - Sizes 8 to 16Mens Acid House T-Shirt, Yellow or Black - S to XXXLWomen's Oversized Smiley Headphones T-shirt. 14 to 24Acid House Bass Synth Mens T-Shirt - many colours/sizesMens Old Skool Adidas Ringer T Shirt. 4 colours - S to XXLMens Old Skool Acid Rave T Shirt. Many colours - S to 3XLEAT SLEEP RAVE REPEAT Mens Neon Yellow T-Shirt - S to 5XLMens 303 Acid House T-Shirt, 3 colours. S to XXXLBanksy Happy Acid House Copper Mens T-Shirt - S to XXLMens Loose Fit Acid Smiley Face Tie Dye T shirt - S to XLUnisex Old Skool Acid House T-shirt - 9 colours - S to XXLMens Acid House Premium Cotton T-Shirt - S to 3XLMens Acid House Logo T Shirt - 4 colours - S to 3XLMens Chicago House Music T-Shirt, many colours - S to XXL

The bucket hat is strongly associated with the 90s rave and Madchester scene, but the trend started in the late 80s with artists including LL Cool J and Reni in The Stone Roses. For a more 80s acid house look you may prefer to stick with a bandana or baseball cap.

Maple Leaf Bucket Hat

There are oodles of bucket hats available at Amazon, and this maple leaf design comes in a choice of colours. Maybe you already have one gathering cobwebs in a dark cupboard somewhere?

Psychedelic Unisex Satin Lined Cotton Bucket HatThe Stone Roses Adidas Adored Bucket Hat Ian BrownThe Stone Roses 'Reni' Hat in two sizes/coloursTie Dye Psychedelic Acid House Bucket Hat

Smiley Face Bandana at Amazon UK

Here are some more great designs that really caught my eye...

Wicked smiley face T-shirt

Tie Dye T-shirt

Tie dye was originally popular with the the 1960s hippy scene, but re-emerged during the late 80s/early 90s acid house and 90s indie scene. When you select the link above you will also be presented with lots of other designs underneath the main T-shirt - there are quite a few to choose from.

If you're after a more complete look then you'll need something for your bottom half, of course. Bleached out/acid wash denim jackets and ripped jeans/shorts were also popular, and also ripped tights. For ladies, tie dye or psychedelic style leggings are also ideal, and here is an eye-catching design...

Multi-coloured Aztec Leggings

There are no less than 34 choices of design for the leggings above, although not all of them are suitable for a rave style. I particularly like this colourful aztec design which would look very "trippy" with an acid house T-shirt.

Use this search for Tie Dye Leggings at Amazon to see oodles of designs.

I'll leave you with some more interesting ideas for rave and acid house dress-up

Women's Denim Dungarees ShortsSmiley Face Headphones Oversized T -ShirtJuko Old Skool T Shirt 1337 Acid House RetroJuko Old Skool Ringer T Shirt 1337 Acid HouseBorn to Rave Forced to Work T-shirtKLF Communications 90s T-Shirt 100% Cotton, White, Medium

Acid House T-shirts at Simplyeighties.com

See more 80s fancy dress and 90s fancy dress ideas at our website Simplyeighties.com