We’ve all been there – you nabbed tickets to your favourite artist months ago and now you’re standing in the middle of your room in your undies, the entire contents of your wardrobe spread out around you wondering what on earth you should wear.
Whether you’re heading to Beyonce, SZA or even a festival-meets-concert affair, like British Summer Time in Hyde Park, there’s something elusive about the pitch-perfect (excuse the pun) concert outfit. To help avert your next concert-outfits-induced floor-drobe crisis, we’ve rounded up five fail safe formulas, that’ll work everywhere from a packed out arena to an underground dive bar.
Failsafe formulas for concert outfits
Blazer + band tee + shorts
From intimate venues to the O2, there’s one outfit that never fails to deliver. It pivots on the band tee. Take note, this doesn’t need to be the band you’re seeing – in fact, something vintage is an altogether cooler route to go.
Amplified Clothing is a great place to start, they offer lots of vintage-inspired tees for music lovers. Next, add a pair of frayed denim shorts, in lieu of the perfect vintage pair (cut-off Levi’s are my go-to) – ASOS’ are a great midi-length.
This duo are the core of many great concert outfits, but I like to add a blazer, something like Arket’s oversized style adds a sophisticated note to the ensemble. Carry a crossbody bag for your phone/wallet/keys, plus you can loop your blazer over it if things heat up.
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Mini dress + biker + trainers
Whether you’ve bagged yourself tickets to Glasto or wending your way to a boutique event, festival outfits are a key consideration. Start with a printed floral dress – mini and a-line like this Urban Outfitters design channels a bohemian mood which will take you seamlessly from day time into the evening.
Add a classic biker when the sun goes down and the temperature drops – this Abercrombie one has all the hallmarks of a classic biker, in great vegan leather and is a perfect layer for throwing over every outfit you pack.
When you’re tramping around a field all day, then dancing all night, flats are vital. I love the look of a chunky white trainer like Puma’s Cassia pair – just don’t expect them to emerge boxfresh from the weekend, but that’s what the washing machine is for, right? A chunky necklace delivers instant vintage vibes.
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Sequin top + jeans + heels
There are, of course, occasions where concert outfits demands a little added glamour. For example, when you’re invited to watch Beyonce from a private box at the O2 (shh – we can dream). Take your cues from the rock stars, and opt for high shine and metallics.
Enter Karen Millen’s sequinned crop top of glam rock dreams. The beauty of going all out on the top half is it doesn’t much matter what you wear on the bottom, but classic black jeans would look great.
I’d wear midi-heeled sandals (heels because, glam, midi because, standing all night) – H&M rarely misses in this department. The final touch? Oversized gold hoop earrings.
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Slip dress + shacket + chunky sandals
For something lower key – the pub’s Sunday night live music session, that great open mike night, the vibe is harder to read and therefore harder to style. Reach for a classic combination – midi dress and shacket, but amp up the midi.
Something like River Island’s slip dress is great – it’s satin so will look dressed up if the night demands, plus it will double as a great summer dress on your next holiday, thus lowering the cost per wear.
Contrast the slinky dress with chunky sandals – Schuh’s scrappy pair are a great choice, and will grunge-up the dress on the off chance everyone else is in jeans. For evening, a cover-up is vital. A shacket (awful word, excellent concept – a shirt/jacket hybrid) is what you’re after here, and a khaki style is one of the most versatile pieces you’ll ever add to your wardrobe.
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O/S denim jacket + tank + mini
All of the festival vibes, none of the festival logistics, park concerts are a brilliant invention. And the perfect excuse to wear a slinky, silky mini skirt.
Satin styles like this Omnes one are out for festivals since there’s no way it will make it out of your bag uncrumpled, but one night in the park has none of those concerns. Wear it with a crisp white tank in an equally as slinky fabric for a luxe feel.
Then, this being the UK and the weather being, ahem, changeable, grab an oversized denim jacket – Monki has several, including this floral print one which will also look totally at home if you’re heading to Harry Styles (Lucky you!). And chunky Chelsea boots – most high street labels have a take – which, FYI, you’ll wear all year round, with everything.
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