reVOLVER's style guide to the Ibiza Opening Parties
Sunday, May 13, 2012

It's hard to believe, but Ibiza's famous Opening Parties are nearly upon us once again! Although there have already been lots of restaurant and beach club openings to date, the unofficial start of "the season" has always been the Space Opening Party in the last weekend of May.

Space used to be the only thing to do that weekend, and practically the whole island would be there. Nowadays it's still just as crowded, but there are more opening parties than you can shake a stick at!

Ibiza's clubs might seem a bit daunting if you've never been before, so if you're not sure about what to wear, where, here is reVOLVER's style guide for the 2012 opening parties...

ZOO PROJECT (Saturday 26th May)

It's held in a deserted zoo, although you'd be forgiven for thinking the zoo was still open, the way the crowd gets into the animal theme.  Wild animals especially are the favourites.  Some people get totally dressed up as their animal of choice, but it's a bit difficult these days to travel with a full zebra costume in your luggage, so here are some ideas that are more compatible with Easyjet's baggage policy...

For the female species...

For the male species...

USHUAIA (Saturday 26th May)

If you're lucky enough to be staying at Ibiza's self professed Party Hotel (or unlucky, if you've got a hangover and just want to lie in bed) this is basically a Miami-style pool party. In the residents VIP area it's fine to dance away in a bikini (providing it's a knockout one) - noone will bat an eyelid. However if you're merely visiting Ushuaia, and are tempted to just wear what you had on to the Playa d'en Bossa beach that day, then think again. It's a stylish hotel, so make a bit of an effort. For a change, it's OK to get here earlier rather than later, so the dress code does tend to be slightly more casual than a club (shorts are acceptable, it's as close to an open air club as there is in Ibiza these days!) - until it gets dark. It almost goes without saying that killer sunglasses are a must. Here are some other suggestions:

For the gals...

For the guys...

PACHA (Defected Saturday 26th May, Cadenza Vagabundos Sunday 27th May)

Pacha's open all year around, so strictly speaking it's not the opening party for the club, but for two of their biggest nights, Defected and Cadenza.  Each night will draw a different crowd - for Defected you can expect the crowd to be all Dressed Up for a Saturday night - for girls, that means getting glammed up to the nines, and for guys a shirt, and shoes rather than trainers.

For the ladies...

For the gentlemen...

On the Sunday night, the Vagabundos crowd is a more gypsy-rock look. Think black pants, a waistcoat and trilby hat or flat cap, and you've got the idea. Add smudged eyeliner (that goes for the boys too) and you're properly there.

For the gypsy queens...

For the gypsy kings...

SPACE (Sunday 27th May)

The Big One. In fact it's so big these days they open up the back carpark, so chances are you'll be outside, dancing on concrete - something to keep in mind when considering your shoes. There are always some fabulous outfits at the Space Fiesta, including crazy costumes, and a statement outfit never goes astray. Our tip is to wear a bright colour - you are bound to lose your friends and something colourful makes you a lot easier to find in a crowd (and possibly served at the bar faster!).

Here are some ideas for Space next weekend:

For the space cadets...

For the space rangers...

P.S. There is no cloakroom, so leave the jacket at home.

DC-10 (Monday 28th May)

DC-10 might be an underground club, but it's also a hot, dusty ex-aircraft hanger. It's no place to air your most directional Japanese-designer clothes! We recommend things you'll stay as cool as possible in, thereby looking as cool as possible too.

For the Circo Locas...

For the Circo Locos...

Whatever you wear, where, our advice is to wear it well, with confidence and with panache. If you have no intention of following this style guide, then good for you - Ibiza embraces those who don't conform to the norm BUT... only if it's a deliberate statement.

And just one final word of advice - if you change your mind about what you're wearing half way through the night you can always do what I did legendary night at Space... swap clothes with someone else!!

Dress code RED
Thursday, September 01, 2011

The standard of dressing in Ibiza's clubs is HIGH.  At least it used to be...

Click here to read Señora Sanchez's blog for White Ibiza on Ibiza's dress code.  Standards are slipping and it's not good enough!