Introduction
So you’ve purchased tickets to a rock show. First of all, congrats. Maybe it’s a group you’ve been wanting to see for years and years. Maybe it’s a fun date night waiting to happen.
Either way, as the show approaches, you might start to wonder what to wear to a rock concert, especially if you don’t tend to go to rock shows very often.
And this article will not focus so much on fashion. When it comes to fashion choices, follow your gut and don’t wear a t-shirt for the band you’re seeing.
But there are plenty of other, more practical, considerations that should be taken into account, and those are what we’ll focus on here.
For example, going to a concert in the dead of winter in an especially cold climate can make for a real challenge.
Should you wear a big coat and hope there’s a coat check at the venue? Should you dress for the inevitable heat of the venue itself?
Below, we’ll do our best to answers questions like these and many more like them.
If you’re looking for more outfit guidance, specifically for the workplace, then you may want to check out this guide to business casual.
Contents
Top
Keep it simple. After all, this isn’t a rave. You don’t need to wear anything that looks like it was ripped from the world of Mad Max.
Rock is less about fitting in and more about being comfortable with the style you already have.
For many concertgoers, the go-to top is just a t-shirt, preferably a fun one that may have the potential to start a conversation with the people around you.
There’s also a good chance that you’ll be sweating before, during, and after the show. So you should try to choose an especially light fabric that won’t start to weigh you down once things start to get heated.
Bottom
In terms of the bottom half of your outfit for a rock concert (or any concert, for that matter), you should probably stick with pants.
More specifically, jeans are a rock concert go-to, oftentimes even for the performers. They’re comfortable, easy to wear, and give you plenty of different ways to express your personal style.
Over time, you may even decide to dedicate a specific pair of jeans to this singular purpose.
Shoes
Shoes may very well be the single most important part of your concert outfit.
For one thing, you’re probably going to be standing for hours at a time, so the shoes should have plenty of support and be comfortable to wear above all else.
There’s also a very high likelihood that your shoes will be stepped on by other concertgoers throughout the course of the night.
Therefore, the shoes you choose should not be especially stylish and definitely shouldn’t be one of your newest pairs.
Instead, try to opt for a pair of athletic shoes that you’ve had for a while and that have seen their fair share of use and abuse.
If the shoes no longer have any significant insole cushioning or arch support, then you can buy some cushioned inserts from your nearest drugstore. This will keep you comfortable while you’re waiting for the show to start.
And more importantly, you won’t be heartbroken if, at the end of the night, you discover many different scuff marks on the shoes.
Layers
This is the real meat of the situation, right here. This is also where we return to the question of how to make your outfit line up with weather conditions.
If the show is set for summertime, then you shouldn’t have a very difficult time putting together an outfit. And when it comes to layers and outerwear, you can avoid them altogether.
But if it’s been cold outside lately, anywhere from freezing to just chilly, then you’ll have to think on it a bit harder.
Do your best to make use of multiple layers instead of opting for a heavy coat or jacket.
For example, if it’s fairly cold outside and you’ll be waiting outdoors for a while, then you could try to wear a sweater and a light jacket over your regular outfit.
That way, once you’re inside, you’ll have the option to remove one of your outer layers and wear it around your waist. You just can’t do this with a large coat.
We would also recommend checking out the venue’s website or even calling in to ask whether they offer coat check services to concertgoers.
If they do, then your problem is solved!
What to Avoid
Relevant Band T-Shirt
It’s just an unspoken rule when going to a concert that you shouldn’t wear a t-shirt for the band you’re seeing that night.
You can wear a t-shirt for literally any other band in existence, as long as they’re not playing at the show you’re going to.
And no, it’s not the end of the world if you do, it’s just a bit on the nose.
Heels
Don’t wear high heel shoes to a concert. Just don’t do it. They increase your chance of falling, harming other people’s feet, and your back will start to hurt after just half an hour of standing.
Any flat shoe is a far better option.
A Heavy Winter Coat
Heavy outerwear is just a bad idea for a rock show, unless the show itself is held outdoors in the middle of winter.
It will start to feel heavy almost instantly and if you want to take it off, your only option will be to take it off and hold it under your arm for the length of the concert.
Closing
It’s important to remember that these are just general guidelines. You can and should wear whatever you want to a show.
Just remember that when you’re standing in the same place for a very long time, certain clothing items have some inherent disadvantages.
Another great resource is to ask your friends who are also going to the concert what they’re planning on wearing.
You’re sure to get a few ideas this way, or even some inspiration for future concert outfits.
The most important aspect is just to relax and enjoy the show.
