I enjoy going to hear live music all year round, but there’s nothing like an outdoor concert in the summertime. It’s one of my favorite things. I often get asked what to wear to a summer concert, so I thought I’d roundup a few outfits that are what I typically wear.
Evereve Sarina V Neck Tank (S) // FRAME Le Easy Flare (29) (option) // Birks (39) // Capital Z Soul Sister Sling Bag c/o (clear option) // YSL sunnies // silver hoops // station necklace // Yurman bracelet
Of course, what you wear to a summer concert depends somewhat on the venue or the artist. If it’s a country music concert, for example, you may want to dust off your cowboy boots and wear a denim skirt or a flirty dress. If it’s Taylor Swift, you’ll probably want to dress up in something inspired by one of her iconic costumes.
But for the average run-of-the mill summer concert in a park or outdoor arena, most people dress pretty casually, pulling everyday looks from their closets. In other words, don’t overthink it. The best rule of thumb is to wear something that is comfortable and weather-appropriate because you’re often sitting or standing for long periods of time.
Option #1: Jeans + Sleeveless Top
Weather permitting, or if I’m in an indoor venue, I will opt for jeans rather than shorts, even in the summertime. I just feel more comfortable in jeans, and they also help protect from bug bites and sunburn. I like the juxtaposition of blue jeans and a sleeveless top, so that’s what I styled for this first look.
These light wash FRAME Le Easy Flares have a laidback, summery look to them and a bit of a boho vibe, which lends itself to the types of music concerts I typically attend — folk rock and pop rock are our favorites. Old Navy has a similar pair, if you prefer a more budget-friendly version.
I topped them off with a black tank, and I wore my favorite Birkenstock slides, since comfort is king when it comes to music concerts. The Sarina V Neck Tank from Evereve is a great summer staple that can easily be dressed up or down. I wore it with black linen pants for a date night look a few weeks ago, and it also layers nicely under a jacket or cardigan. This tank runs true to size, or size down if in between; I have the small.
The other thing to consider when heading out to a concert is your bag. I typically bring a casual crossbody (the Hobo Cambel is a favorite) or I also really like this Soul Sister Sling Bag from my friends at Capital Z. The combination of metallic and bright colors is really fun, and they make a nice pop against the black top. Plus, the wide cloth strap is comfortable, and the entire bag is very lightweight.
Capital Z bags are genuine leather, and I’ve been impressed with the quality. I also love their new raffia collection. I’ve been eyeing this beachy tote.
If your venue requires a clear bag, there are lots of great options out there. This one at DSW is very affordable, and I love that ivory/black crossbody strap.
Here’s another option for a summer concert outfit, with the same jeans and a white top. This Evereve Cruz Sleeveless Hoodie has that casual-cool girl thing going on, and it’s lightweight and comfortable.
Evereve Cruz Hoodie (M) // FRAME Le Easy Flare (29) (option) // VEJA Esplar (39) // NAGHEDI Nomad Hobo in Cashmere // Tom Ford sunnies // Jenny Bird earrings & necklace // Yurman bracelet
I really like the design of this sleeves, with the gusset under the arms to keep it bra-friendly, and the exposed seam details and colored tabs at the end of the drawstrings are fun details. The boxy fit and 21 1/2″ length allows you to leave it untucked for a streamlined and modern look.
I opted for my VEJA sneakers this time, which creates that “sandwich” effect (white top and shoes, with the blue jeans in the middle) — an easy outfit formula that creates an easy balanced look.
I probably wouldn’t carry this NAGHEDI shoulder bag to a concert, though, unless I knew I’d be sitting on a blanket in at a music festival or something like that. If I’m in stadium seats or folding chairs, or planning to stand a lot, I like a crossbody so I can keep it on my body at all times.
Option #2: Shorts + T-Shirt
Of course, sometimes it’s simply too hot to wear jeans to a summer concert. If it’s a daytime event in the hot sun or a warm evening, I usually wear shorts and a sleeveless top or a lightweight t-shirt. Again, the types of concerts we attend lean very casual, I think because we prefer smaller venues to large stadiums. Most of the people I see aren’t dressing to fit the theme or anything like that.
Sundry Golden Hour Tee (L) // KUT from the Kloth Jane (8) (also at Evereve / similar option) // Birks in Sandcastle (39) // HOBO Cambel Leather Crossbody // Tom Ford sunnies
This Sundry Golden Hour Tee is super soft and lightweight, very comfortable for warm summer days. I do feel like it runs quite small, though. I sized up to a large in this tee. I love how the pink and white graphics pop on the olive background, and I paired it with white shorts to keep the look light and summery.
These KUT from the Kloth Jane High Waist Denim Shorts are my favorite white shorts; in fact, I don’t find myself reaching for any others. The utility pockets are right on trend, the 4″ inseam is my favorite length to wear, plus they have a nice amount of stretch to them but don’t bag out and lose their shape.
This HOBO Cambel Leather Crossbody is my go-to for amusement parks, festivals, concerts, etc. The glazed leather is extremely durable, and also buttery soft and so pretty. It has a generous amount of space for all the essentials and lots of pockets for organization. I especially love how HOBO bags always have a exterior slip pocket that fits a large smartphone.
HOBO Cambel Leather Crossbody // LAGOS Caviar Crossover Ring // nails: OPI Funny Bunny
To keep this outfit summery and comfortable, I wore my Birkenstock Madrid Big Buckle Slides in the Sandcastle color way. I love the light neutral color with this look.
Option #3: Skirt + Tank
If you prefer to get a little more dressed up for a summer concert, a casual skirt and tank top always works. This is that same Evereve Sarina V Neck Tank that I wore with the blue jeans in the first outfit, but this time I paired it with this wrap style midi skirt in an abstract floral print.
Evereve Sarina V Neck Tank (S) // Evereve Yara Midi Skirt (S) // STAUD Dante Leather Flip Flops (38) // NAGHEDI St. Barths Medium Tote Bag // love knot earrings // necklace set // gold bangle
I love the large scale white and black print grounded on a rust-colored background, and this skirt has an elastic waistband that keeps it comfortable for all-day wear.
I would wear this outfit with block heel slides for church or dinner out, but for a summer concert look, I paired it with my STAUD Dante Leather Flip Flops. These sandals have a lot of cushion, and they’re comfortable for doing a lot of walking, if need be.
And here’s another option with this skirt. I paired it with a white tank and topped it off with a denim jacket in case it gets chilly in the evening. This raffia bag is a little dressier than the HOBO Cambel and the Capital Z Soul Sister Sling Bag, but it still has crossbody capabilities.
Michael Stars Cassie Binded Cotton Tank (O/S) // KUT from the Kloth Kara Denim Jacket (S) // Evereve Yara Midi Skirt (S) // Nordstrom Carolina Slides (8) // Rebecca Minkoff Edie Convertible Crossbody // love knot earrings // necklace set // gold bangle
Do you have any summer concerts in your future??? Who are you going to see?
This post made me realize that we do not… at least nothing major. My daughter performs with an indie rock band occasionally, and several of her friends have bands that get gigs in the local area, but I don’t think we have any major music concerts on the horizon. I need to remedy that, stat!
