Do you love live music, but struggle with what to wear to a concert? In this article you will find plenty of inspiration for concert outfits for women over 40, which are hip without looking like you are trying too hard to be trendy.
And if you’re not going to a concert any time soon, these outfits are great for many other occasions where you can to look youthful and hip.
Just because you are 40, 50, 60, or any age above that, it doesn’t mean that you lose your love of music. Far from it, you probably have a much more eclectic musical taste now than when you were in your teens or 20s.
However, dressing to go to a concert or live music gig can be one of the trickiest events to put together an outfit for, particularly if there are also likely to be lots of younger people there.
You don’t want to look as if you are trying to dress like women who are decades younger. Nor do you want to look frumpy or “fuddy duddy” when putting together concert outfits.
If you are lucky enough to be going to see your favorite band or act soon, or you are perhaps taking children or grandchildren to see an artist they love, here are some ideas on what to wear.
I’d also love to hear from you about what the last concert was you went to see and what you wore. You can let me know in the comments below this article.
Tips for dressing for a concert
Before getting into specific outfit suggestions, let’s take a look at what to consider when dressing for a concert:
Comfort is key for concert outfits
It goes without saying that you don’t want to be uncomfortable anywhere you go.
But, while you might be able to get away with high heels if you are sitting down to dinner, dancing at a concert may be a different matter.
Of course, if you are comfortable in heels, then go for it, particularly if you will be sitting for part of the night.
Melanie (above) opts to wear heels with her skinny jeans and denim jacket. But you could equally wear her outfit with flat booties or sneakers and still look fabulous.
Recreate her look with this similar tee, jacket, jeans, booties and earrings.
A crossbody bag
You will likely need to take a bag with you. How else are you going to buy refreshments without your purse?
To keep your hands free, it’s best to opt for a crossbody bag. You can also put this in front of your body if you are worried about security.
Longchamp Mini Le Pliage Étoiles crossbody bag
Dress according to your musical tastes
Just as everyone has a different style personality, everyone likes different music.
You won’t want to wear the same outfit for a rock concert, for example, as you might to a country music gig.
However, if in doubt, it’s always a good idea to take inspiration from the rock chic style personality. Don’t know your personality type? Take the style personality quiz.
Concert outfits – 9 ideas for you to choose from
Now that you’re thinking in general terms about what you would wear to a concert, here are some more specific concert outfit ideas for you:
Concert outfit ideas: A moto jacket and jeans
An obvious one, I know, but sometimes the old ideas are the best ones.
If you’re really stuck on what to wear, then a pair of jeans with a leather jacket is really a no-brainer.
You may find, however, that black leather looks harsh against your skin as you get older.
You could, instead, opt for a softer or brighter shade, which will help you stand out from the crowd.
Or, you could always add a bright red lip to add color if you do want to stick to black.
Psyche (above) opts for beautiful burgundy.
Get her look with this Fendi handbag and this similar moto jacket, longsleeved top, jeans and mules.
BLANKNYC moto jacket – Rejina sabrina tee – Nobody Denim skinny jeans – Frye bootie – Rebecca Minkoff crossbody bag – Nashelle hoop earrings
There is more inspiration in this article on the best leather jackets for women over 40.
Rock concert outfit: A band tee
Prince Peter graphic tee – DVF pleated skirt – Seychelles bootie – Vince Camuto crossbody bag – Kendra Scott drop earrings
Yes, it’s a cliche, but not all cliches are bad.
If you love a band or artist and you are going to see them, or an artist of the same genre, why not wear a band t-shirt?
If you want to add a touch of the unexpected to your outfit, you could always wear your t-shirt with a skirt rather than as the expected jeans and tee combination.
Outfits to wear to a concert: Leggings & a tunic
You obviously want to be comfortable when you attend a concert, and leggings are definitely one of the most comfortable things you can wear.
I’d choose a longer top or tunic if you are choosing leggings. For added interest, I’m sure you know by now that I’m a huge fan of asymmetry.
Be sure to check out all my tips on how to wear leggings.
French Connection moto jacket – Anne Klein asymmetrical top – Madewell pull-on jeggings – Lucky Brand bootie – Errika hoop earrings
Sara (above) chooses a long tunic shirt with animal print.
Recreate her look with this similar tunic dress, leggings, booties and bag.
Anything in leather
Eileen Fisher sweater – Prosperity Denim paperbag pants – 27 Edit loafer – Frye mini crossbody bag – Kate Spade New York stud earrings
Of course, leather is the ubiquitous choice when it comes to a concert. You could opt for a leather moto, a leather skirt, pants, top or dress.
And, of course, you don’t have to choose real leather if you would prefer not to. You could always opt for faux leather and still get a similar look.
A checked shirt
Checks are a country staple as well as having a nod to rock style. So, they should be a good option for concerts of many musical genres.
Jenni Kayne plaid shirt – MOUSSY Vintage skinny jeans – Brixton fedora – Ted Baker London bootie – Ganni crossbody bag
Patricia (above) looks concert-ready in her checked shirt and sneakers.
Steal her look with this pair of Converse sneakers and this similar shirt, jeans, belt and crossbody bag.
Cargo pants and a draped jacket
Caslon drape knit blazer – Lucky Brand graphic tee – PAIGE jogger pants – A.S.98 sandal – ALLSAINTS crossbody bag
If you want an alternative to jeans, how about a pair of cargo pants, as loved by Jennifer Aniston?
You could always give them a luxe feel by adding a blazer on top for an unexpected mix of formal and casual.
What to wear to an outdoor concert: A longline cardigan
Is your next concert an indoor affair, or outside? Unless it’s the height of summer, you’ll want to make sure you’re warm as well as stylish if you’re attending an outdoor gig.
Of course, you could also keep warm by dancing!
But just in case you might feel the chill, how about choosing a long-line cardigan in an interesting print?
Halogen leopard print cardigan – Eileen Fisher tunic – Hudson Jeans crop jeans – Sole Society pendant necklace – Topshop crossbody bag – Via Spiga loafer
Tanasha (above) matches her stripes to her booties and turtleneck.
Recreate her look with this similar sweater, cardigan, jeans and boots.
A denim jacket & jumpsuit
AG denm jacket – Eileen Fisher jumpsuit – Trask derby – Vince Camuto crossbody bag – Knotty drop earrings
Jeans are a go-to concert staple, but you don’t have to reserve your denim for your bottoms.
A denim jacket can look great paired with anything. Wear with black or white for a pared down look.
A blazer & jeans
The key to a stylish outfit can often be mixing casual and more formal, or new with old.
You could opt for a blazer worn over your jeans and tee to add a more put-together feel to your concert outfit.
Abi (above) wears an outfit that would be more than suited to a concert, by combining a logo t-shirt with silver booties and an on-trend double-breasted blazer.
Get her look with this similar logo tee, blazer, jeans, booties and crossbody bag.
1.STATE blazer – Rag & Bone zebra print tee – FRAME skinny jeans – Linea Paolo flat – Ten79LA fringe clutch
There are plenty of ways you could put together all of the clothes, shoes and accessories featured above.
You will see below that you could switch around many of these outfits and they would still work wonderfully.
For instance, you could wear the leather moto jacket with the band tee and skirt. or you could team the checked shirt with the leather pants.
Read our ultimate guide to creating a capsule wardrobe that works best for you.
Continue reading:
- A Style Guide And Capsule Wardrobe For The ROCK Style Personality
- A Style Guide And Capsule Wardrobe For The STREET / URBAN Style Personality
- How To Dress After 40 And Look Hip?
What was the last concert you went to? Which of these is your favorite concert outfits?
Like this post on concert outfits? Share it on Pinterest!
Feature image by Psyche
Want to get more articles from 40+style in your inbox, subscribe here.
You can also connect with 40+style on Facebook, Instagram or Pinterest.
Support 40+style by using the links in our articles to shop. As an associate for Amazon and many other brands, we receive a small commission (at no cost to you) on qualifying purchases which enables us to keep creating amazing free content for you. Thanks!
Not been to many outdoors recently but in UK recommend waterproof layer. For nightclub style gigs remember can get hot, particularly if you have a hot moment. Last gig I went to though was a small one in a large nightclub, famous for music, loved by students. Wore leggings, buckle boots, long tunic, always jewellery. Be true to yourself, better not to be too grungey when you’re older. I’m 53.
For indoor concerts I found 2 logo t-shirts from a world-famous guitar maker; one black with simple white lettering, and one more elaborate in burgundy with pink, tan & gold. I pair the tees with either camo jegging, distressed denim jeans or black coated denim with a very subtle reptile pattern. I finish with high-top wedge sneakers or ankle booties and tailor my accessories accordingly. Depending on the venue, a denim shirt, cargo jacket, or rolled-sleeve blazer for the top layer.
For a multi-day summer outdoor music festival, I wear simple solid color tees or a tank and kimono, paired with distressed denim bermudas or summer weight cargo capris. Footwear is supportive slip-on sneakers or a “hiking sandal”.
These are all great ideas! … For indoor concerts. 😉 Most of the shows we attend are during summer in South Carolina at outdoor, amphitheater-style venues. It is hot! Even after the sun goes down, it’s still hot and humid. It might even rain. I usually wear shorts and a band tee, with some faux Converse style sneakers. Or I might wear a cute pair of patterned shorts and a plain tee with a long necklace and some jingly bracelets. Some ladies opt for capri pants or cute skirts. Depending on the show, lots of ladies wear tie-dye, gauzy skirts or tops, too. Parking is almost always grass or gravel, and some people prefer lawn seating rather than seats, making high heels impractical. I’d love to see some ideas for warmer weather concert wear! PS, don’t bring a purse! Wear something with pockets or have your partner carry your lipstick and credit card/cash in his pockets. That way you don’t hold up the line at the security check! Many venues in the US now have a clear bag only policy anyways, and those are more trouble than they are worth.
Great tips!