What to wear to a concert: the complete guide

There's no dress code at a gig, and that's the best thing about it. But a few hours of standing, dancing, queuing and travelling home in the dark will punish the wrong outfit. The rule of thumb: dress for the venue, the weather and your feet first, then add the style.

Start with your shoes

Shoes decide your night. You'll stand for hours, walk further than you expect, and get your feet trodden on in the crowd. Closed-toe shoes you've already worn in are the safe choice: trainers, boots or comfortable flats. Save brand-new shoes, open sandals and high heels for seated shows, or bring a change for the journey home.

Standing near the front or anywhere a pit might open? Sturdy boots or trainers with a decent sole protect your toes. White trainers will not stay white.

Dress for the venue

Small clubs and sweaty rooms: it gets hot fast. Wear one light layer, a T-shirt or a vest, and leave the heavy jacket at home or in the cloakroom.

Arenas: indoors but huge, and the temperature swings between the queue outside and the crowd inside. A light jacket you can tie round your waist or check in works well.

Stadiums and open-air shows: you're outside for hours, often into the night. Layers, a waterproof, and something warm for after sunset, even in summer.

Seated theatres and concert halls: you can dress up a little more here, and comfortable shoes matter less. Check whether the venue has a cloakroom if you bring a coat.

Festivals: a whole different kit list, with layers, waterproofs and wellies. Our guide to your first festival covers it.

Layers beat one big coat

The queue is cold, the crowd is hot, and the walk home is cold again. Thin layers you can add and remove handle all three: a T-shirt, a light overshirt or hoodie, and a jacket you can tie round your waist. A big winter coat is the one thing you'll regret carrying all night, so check it in at the cloakroom or leave it at home.

Bags and pockets

Check the venue's bag policy before you go. Many venues limit the size of bags you can bring in, and some only allow small or clear bags; anything bigger can mean a long queue or a cloakroom fee. A small cross-body bag or bum bag is ideal: it keeps your phone, card and keys in front of you and your hands free. Front pockets with zips are the next best thing. Back pockets are where phones go missing.

The band shirt question

Should you wear the band's shirt to their own gig? People have argued about this for decades, and there's no real rule. Some fans say it's like wearing a picture of the show you're already at; others wear it proudly to show they've been around since the first album. Our take: wear whatever you love, but a shirt from a different band you like is a great conversation starter in the queue.

Planning to buy merch on the night? Leave a little space in your bag, or wear a layer you can swap out.

Dressing for the weather

Rain: a light waterproof you can pack small beats an umbrella, which many outdoor venues don't allow into the crowd anyway. Heat: breathable fabrics, a hat or cap, sunglasses and sun cream for day shows. Cold: layers, a beanie and gloves you don't mind stuffing in a pocket once you're inside.

Style by genre (if you want it)

Nobody will check, but dressing for the music is part of the fun. Rock and indie: jeans, a band tee, boots, a jacket you don't mind getting sweaty. Metal and punk: black, sturdy boots, nothing you'd mind getting ripped in a pit. Pop shows: this is where outfits become part of the event, from glitter to full fan costumes. Electronic and dance: light, breathable clothes and comfortable trainers for dancing all night. Folk, jazz and classical: smart-casual, comfortable and quiet: no jangling jewellery during the soft songs.

Hair, make-up and glitter

A long night in a hot room is hard on hair and make-up. Tie long hair back if you're heading for the front or a pit, where it gets caught and pulled. Go for sweat-proof make-up, or keep it light: the room will be warmer than you think. Glitter and face paint are part of the fun at pop shows and festivals; biodegradable glitter is kinder to the venue's cleaners and to the planet, and it washes off more easily the next morning.

Protect your ears

The one accessory everyone should bring is earplugs. Gigs are loud enough to leave your ears ringing the next day, and that ringing is a warning. Musician's earplugs, which turn the volume down without muffling the band, are small enough to live on your keyring and make the music sound clearer, not worse. Some venues sell foam earplugs at the bar if you forget.

Dressed for after the show too

Think about the whole night, not just the set. If you're going for food or drinks afterwards, a clean T-shirt in your bag works wonders after a sweaty gig. If you're travelling home late, a warm layer and comfortable shoes matter more than ever. And keep your phone charged for the journey: a power bank fits in almost any pocket.

A quick checklist

Wear: shoes you've already broken in, light layers, a jacket you can tie round your waist. Bring: ticket saved offline, phone and power bank, card and a little cash, earplugs, a small cross-body bag. Check before you go: the venue's bag policy, the weather, and how you're getting home. Leave at home: new shoes, big bags, anything you'd hate to lose.

What to leave at home

Brand-new shoes. Anything you can't afford to lose or spill a drink on. Big hats or headpieces at standing shows: the person behind you came to see the band, not your hat. Spiked or studded accessories in a crowded pit, where they can hurt someone. Bulky bags, if the venue has a size limit.

What to wear to a concert: FAQ

Can I wear heels to a concert? At seated shows, yes. At standing gigs you'll be on your feet for hours in a crowd, so flats, trainers or boots are much safer.

Is it OK to wear the band's T-shirt to their concert? Yes. It's an old debate, but there's no real rule, and plenty of people do.

What should I wear to an outdoor concert? Layers, a packable waterproof, comfortable shoes, and sun protection for day shows. Bring something warm for after dark.

What's the best bag for a concert? A small cross-body bag or bum bag, after checking the venue's bag policy.

What should I wear to a concert in winter? Dress for the queue and the journey home, not the room: inside it will be warm. A warm jacket you can check in at the cloakroom, a light layer underneath and a hat and gloves you can stuff in your pockets.

Can I wear a hat to a concert? A beanie or cap is fine. Large hats and headpieces at standing shows block the view of everyone behind you, so save them for seated shows or the back of the room.