Thanks to iconic tours like Harry Styles' Love On Tour or Taylor Swift's Eras tour as well as stylish musical festivals like Coachella, seeing an artist perform is as much about the concert outfit ideas as it is about the *actual* set.
But picking out the perfect concert look can be tricky — you’ll have to determine the vibe of the venue, while staying comfortable (a.k.a. dance-ready) and prepared for weather changes. Should you risk wearing your brand new sneakers to a concert at an outdoor venue? What if it rains? On top of that, there are so many festival and concert trends that it’s hard to figure out which ones are worth playing around with — feather boas, sparkly cowboy hats, funky sunglasses, corset tops, flared jeans, crochet, ahhhh!
If you’re frantically Googling “how should I dress for a concert” because you have last-minute tickets for this weekend, scroll down to find the best concert outfit based on the type of artist you’re seeing, whether it’s rap, country, or pop. And if you’re just brainstorming for now, check out our guide full of outfit inspo broken down by genre to help you nail the aesthetic of every music festival, stadium tour, and underground show you might be attending.
Pack your polaroid camera and a portable charger or two (can’t have that phone dying in the middle of Harry Styles’ set), and let’s browse some cute concert outfit ideas. ✨
For Taylor Swift's Eras Tour
Good news — you have, like, a thousand different ~eras~ to choose from when it comes to your Taylor Swift concert outfit. Do you want to go totally ethereal with an iridescent crop top and glitzy mini skirt for Lover, or break out the fishnet tights and black lipstick for Reputation? Don't forget to make some friendship bracelets to trade with other Swifties!
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For Beyonce's Renaissance Tour
🎤 Okay ladies now let's get in formation! 🎤 Fans have been taking cues from Beyoncé's sparkly, fierce tour outfits for their own concert looks — think chrome metallics, corsets and bodysuits, bedazzled purses, and cowboy hats. Silver, black, and red have been popular color schemes among fans so far, but you can also incorporate your any of your favorite colors as well as shades of denim to personalize your look.
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For an Outdoor Concert
Music festival season is in full swing! You'll want to bring a crossbody bag stocked with necessities like a water bottle, bandaids, backup sunglasses, and shoes that are ready for rain or dust. Festival faves like matching crochet sets, hot pants, and fringe leather jackets are always a win, and if you're looking for a failproof formula, look no further than Bella Hadid — the model went for funky graphic jeans paired with a comfy knit bralette and stacked a see-through tank over her top.
For a Rap Concert
Headed to a rap concert? Steal some inspo from Megan Fox, who loves a good dress-up moment. Feel free to keep things low-key with your favorite cargo pants and a crop top with a slouchy bomber jacket. Or, go all out with something polished like Megan's blazer and bra top combo.
For a Pop Concert
Olivia Rodrigo have blessed the Sour Tour stage with corsets and fishnet gloves, but we love her off-duty style as inspo for your next pop concert outfit. A Y2K tank top and your favorite midi skirt is the perfect comfy-but-cute duo, and topping it off with layered necklaces and intricate double french braids will make it look like you put in a lot of time styling your 'fit.
Another thing Olivia did right? Her snug Doc Martens are the perfect shoe if you're going to be standing on your feet all night. We won’t dissuade you from wearing a heel if that’s what you feel best in, but make sure they’re shoes you’ll be able to dance the night away in.
For a Classic Rock Concert
Break out your favorite extra-long tee (or cop one from your parents for a true vintage moment) and take a cue from Hailey Bieber, who styled her oversized Aaliyah shirt as a mini dress. The model wore slouchy combat boots and sheer fishnet tights under her T-shirt dress and finished off the look with some gold and silver jewelry. Yes, you can mix the two!
If you don't typically dress in a very grunge-y aesthetic, it's easy to tap into the rock n' roll vibe with this foolproof equation: graphic tee + leather + vintage-looking shades. It works every time.
For an EDM Concert
Don't know what to wear for an EDM concert? Just Google "Bella Thorne outfits" – that girl dresses like her life is one long EDM show. Bella's all-black ensemble consists of a black bustier top, black elbow-length gloves, black denim cut-off shorts, and thigh-high sparkly boots, and it's a perfect mix to recreate for your next concert 'fit.
Lights will be flashing, music will be blasting, so don't be afraid to bring on the bling! Whether you like rainbow stripes or you prefer to wear neutral colors, there's a sparkly outfit out there for everyone. Reach for oversized barrettes and layered necklaces as a finishing touch.
For a Country Concert
Fashion has changed a lot in the past decade, and cowboy boots are now loved by street style stars and country rockers alike. If you're not feeling like going full-on cowboy, we suggest taking the denim-on-denim route for an OOTD that feels a little more updated. Accessorize with a big statement belt, a mini purse, and a pixie-style updo and you'll be ready to go.
For an Indie Concert
Since smaller, more underground artists tend to go for performances with a more laid-back vibe, have fun playing with more indie styles and experimental color schemes. This is the time to show off your merch in a subtle-but-cool way, like pairing an artist's tee with Bella’s rust leather blazer and matching bohemian sunnies. Another angle to take with your outfit is to play with unique textures, like this Madewell jacket that's great for chillier venues. Patchwork, soft leather, earthy tones, and vintage accessories are all perfect to wear to an indie concert.
Hannah Oh
Assistant Shopping Editor
Hannah is the assistant shopping editor at Cosmopolitan, covering all things from cute apartment decor to trendy fashion finds, TikTok products that are actually worth your $$$, and the perfect gift to buy for your boyfriend's mom. She previously wrote for Seventeen and CR Fashion Book. Follow her on Instagram for hot takes on red carpet fashion and unhinged updates on the books she’s reading on the train.