My outfit for the Britney Spears show:
vintage blazer, shorts, feather hairpiece, bronze gloves, glitter mary janes, fishnets

So, how does one dress for an indoors concert? Are there certain rules what to wear and what shouldn’t be ever worn? I’ve been to quite a few so I figured I’ll share some advice to make your experience more pleasant.

  • Outfit
    It’s a show, so the more outrageous your outfit, the better! However, I recommend staying away from expensive or one-of-a-kind items, as you don’t want your prized possession ruined by a sticky drink or an accidental smear of lipstick. Band t-shirts are a cliche, but if you are really feeling it, get creative with it: cut it up, tie the shreds around your body in an interesting way, add pins! Accessorize like whoa, but avoid expensive jewelry and stuff that easily comes off – like a belt with a front clasp (I learned this the hard way). It’s a good idea to bring a cardigan or a light jacket – you never know if it will be too hot or too cold in the venue.
  • Shoes
    If it’s a standing concert, be sure to wear comfortable shoes. They don’t have to be flats – just something you can stand in for a couple hours (let’s face it, a typical 90-minute show usually results in at least 3 hours of standing!). Don’t wear anything too fancy on your feet as they’ll inevitably gets stepped on. Besides, who pays attention to shoes in a crowd anyway? And never, never, never wear untested, brand new footwear to a show – unless you want to be focusing on foot pain instead of what’s going on on stage!
  • Bag
    It’s the most natural desire to want to bring everything you can think of in your bag – like a hairbrush, a can of Aquanet and eyeliner, but refrain and bring only the necessities. Leave the expensive gadgets like iPod at home (the only exception to this is your camera – the more compact, the better). Here’s what should be in your bag:
  • driver’s license/ID
  • debit or credit card
  • small camera
  • keys
  • cash (bring singles for tips if you’re planning to drink)
  • cell phone
  • breath mints
  • medication, if you take any
  • ear plugs (optional)

Put all items in a wristlet or a small bag you can easily keep an eye on at all times. I advise against backpacks as they’re an easy target for pick-pockets. I know, it sucks to watch your back amongst fellow fans, but better safe than sorry, right?

  • Hair/makeup
    This is your opportunity to express yourself and go wild! Your hair and face will be very visible and admired by the crowd. Go nuts with bright colors, glitter, hairspray, extensions, hats! Best of all, if any of it gets ruined, it’s all temporary anyway. Have fun!

Deerlings: what do you wear to concerts? Any concert-going tips you’d like to share?