If there’s one thing that I love, it’s a good country concert. My fiancé Alex and I love packing up the car and heading out to whatever nearby venue is hosting the country artist du jour. We’ve been to hear Carrie Underwood, Hunter Hayes, Zac Brown Band, Kenny Chesney, Eric Church, Little Big Town, Jason Aldean, Rascall Flatts, Brad Paisley and more. Being from The South (Alex and I were raised in Georgia and North Carolina, respectively), we’ve never worried about what to wear. Despite this, I recognize that as country music becomes increasingly more popular around the country (and thank goodness for that!), those wanting to adopt a more Southern lifestyle are often stumped as to what from their closets they can don without looking like an imposter or having to go out and spend a lot of money on a pair of custom cowboy boots.
Here are my rules – follow them and you’ll never look out of place.
Country Concert Attire Rule #1: Denim is always a safe bet
Let the weather dictate the length of your jeans but know that in a trusty pair of denim blues, you’ll never go wrong. In the summer I love wearing my daisy duke cutoffs and in the winter I wear my medium blue skinnies. The only caveat to this is to be careful about wearing a miniskirt. Country concerts are all about comfort and often involve climbing in and out of the bed of a pickup (if you’re tailgating). As such, miniskirts often pose several problems. Avoid them if possible.
Country Concert Attire Rule #2: Plaid, plaid, plaid
If it’s winter, wear a long sleeved plaid flannel shirt. If it’s summer, make sure it’s cotton, and wear it open in the front with a white or solid-colored tank. Lace-trimmed tanks are perfect although a ribbed white tank always gets the job done. If the weather permits, roll up the sleeves of your shirt to your elbows, making sure the rolls aren’t too crisp or perfect-looking.
Country Concert Attire Rule #3: Rock a hat
If you’re feeling super “howdy y’all” wait until you arrive at the concert and pick up a cheap cowboy hat. These can often be had outside concerts for around $20 and you will look fabulous. If you’re not quite to that level of country yet, pick up a baseball hat. Wearing a hat that sports your school’s mascot is perfect. If you want to look super authentically country, look up Justin Boots or Tractor Supply and order a baseball hat from there (should be less than $10).
Country Concert Attire Rule #4: You do NOT have to wear something with the artist’s name on it. Actually, it’s probably better if you don’t.
Wearing a Carrie Underwood hat to a Carrie Underwood concert is a lot like that time when your little sister went to see Justin Bieber with “I <3 Justin!” emblazoned in glitter across her black t-shirt and his visage printed on her sparkly purse. It’s just not cool. Unless, that is, you want to look like a 5th grader going to her first concert, in which case, go right ahead.
Country Concert Attire Rule #5: Wear boots!
Cowboy boots are of course vastly preferable in the realm of country chic. If you want to go super authentic, snag an awesome pair of Justin or Ariat boots. If you’re not committed enough to the country lifestyle to splurge $200+ on a pair of boots, perfectly respectable options can be found from the likes of Steve Madden. If you just can’t go all pointy-toed embroidered leather on us quite yet, a pair of sturdy brown (brown is very important here – this is not a biker ralley – don’t wear black) leather boots will do you just fine. Riding boots work over jeans although they can be tricky with shorts and Frye boots work with just about everything. Heck, you can even rock hiking boots as long as they’re brown.
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If it’s cold outside, opt for denim, camouflage or waxed cotton for your jacket. If none of these are in your closet, a fleece (like the ubiquitous North Face) will get the job done. Do your best not to mix plaids. I know that sometimes shows up on the runway but if you show up to a country concert wearing two types of mismatched plaids, chances are you’ll get some funny stares.
If you don’t like my suggestions above, you can also rock a cute sundress with a denim jacket but with this option cowboy boots might as well be a requirement if you want to fit in.
The main point in all of this is that country fashion is about comfort and functionality. The music and culture has its roots is good old down home life on a farm. When was the last time you saw somebody riding their John Deere in stilettos or a bandage skirt? That’s what I thought.
Most importantly, wear something that you love and will have fun in. Grab some buddies and get ready to rock out to the best music on the planet. That’s how country girls roll y’all. Yee Haw!
P.S. If you’re wondering about my credentials to tell you what to wear to a country concert (other than my obvious love for the music), here are some photos of my family to back me up:
My mom and my stepdad in a promo shoot for their band (NCMountainMusic.com)
One time my mom left the door open at her farm. The chickens and the rooster got in and decided to roost in the bathtub.
This is the band that played at my mom and stepdad’s wedding. Yes, there was a banjo involved.