It seems kind of silly trying to think of what to wear to a concert that’s in a chill venue, right? That being said, it’s only natural to think about what to wear. Aside from looking the part, you also want to make sure you’re dressed appropriately for the weather conditions. Whether you’re attending a hip hop or alternative concert, the outfit staples remain the same. The key is working around your own personal style and adding little “concert flair” essentials to achieve the perfect look.

Below are three outfits to help inspire concert attire, along with my tips on why each look works.

Graphic Edge

When the phrase “concert outfit” is said, an edgy graphic look is the first thing that comes to mind. So what do you need to achieve this look? Remember, the key is to take what you love and leave the rest. If the full outfit is too much or falls outside of your personal style, add and subtract to tailor the looks to your needs.

• Graphic Tee – By far the most appropriate and comfortable thing to wear, especially for small venues. A tee keeps you relaxed so you don’t have to fidget with your outfit, and the graphic shows your personality. As far as wearing a band tee? Well, that’s all personal. Some people love it, and some are vehemently against it. I love wearing band tees, but I personally wouldn’t wear the band’s tee to the actual event. (Option 1, 2, 3)
• Flannel – A flannel coverup is functional with a hint of stylish. Often times, it’s hard to predict the weather. It may even change in the middle of the event, and you want to be prepared. A flannel will complement your outfit and solve any potential cold night problems. (Option 1, 2, 3)
• Boots – Boots are another stylish yet functional choice. Combat boots protect your feet from the crowd, and they are a great option for winter concerts. One thing to keep in mind with boots is the quality. I recommend wearing your shoe of choice at least a few days in advance, that way you know whether or not you can stand in them for a few hours without any sort of discomfort. (Option 1, 2, 3)

All Black

Is there ever really a time where an all black look doesn’t work? There’s something about wearing all black that’s an instant confidence booster, not to mention it’s always in style. I recently wore all black for a concert I attended over the summer and loved the look. So what do you need to achieve this look? Well, it’s pretty simple:

• Black Top – Since you’re wearing all black, you can add dimension by playing with different textures. Rather than look one-dimensional with a solid tee and jeans, test out different top options: sleeveless will show some skin to break up the look, sequined tops add a new fabric into the equation, even sheer tops can add depth. (Option 1, 2, 3)
• Black Bottoms – While leather pants look very cool, consider the practicality of opting for these when you’re going to a concert. Similar to my boots advice, I recommend wearing the pants out prior to the concert date. If they don’t work out but you really want leather bottoms, try a more breathable version: leather shorts or leather skirt. Of course, you can always opt for a different material by choosing black denim. (Option 1, 2, 3)

Flirty Floral

Finally, there’s the option for floral. I wore a floral top to a concert previously and liked the look. It wasn’t as much of an “in your face” concert outfit as the other choices. This option is particularly good for festival-style shows. What staple things are needed for a flirty floral outfit?

• Floral Print – Obviously! You can’t be flirty in floral without the floral! There are plenty of options with how you choose to incorporate the print. The photo above is styled perfectly with a full floral dress, but you can also opt for a skirt or shorts in your favorite floral design. Personally, I wore a floral top to achieve the look. (Option 1, 2, 3)
• Denim – Depending on which option you choose for the floral focal point, you’ll need either a denim jacket, “denim” (chambray) top, or denim shorts. Why? Well, the denim piece balances out the look and keeps it more on the casual side. Floral print can quickly steer towards daytime dressy, and concerts are anything but. (Option 1, 2, 3)

Which outfit is your favorite? I personally really love the flirty floral look for a daytime, outdoor show.

*All images via Nasty Gal