THE JOURNAL
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Whether you’re a chin-stroking bystander or a moshpit surfer, follow our guide for the perfect gig-going wardrobe.
In the latest in our What To Wear series, we’re turning our attention to music. How we might choose to dress at a show is clearly a bit of a style conundrum for some, as it’s something that we at MR PORTER are often asked about; Google is too – there is a relatively high amount of searches for it. There are, of course, many ways we can dress – depending on personal style and how much you wish to “blend in” or “look the part” (see our piece on festivals for grown-ups for advice on that matter). Here though, we put forward the case for a classic-yet-cool look, clearly influenced by music, to wear whether you’re at a festival or at a bar watching a gig.
GO HELL FOR LEATHER
Leather jackets don’t just look cool, they’re also pretty practical, too. They’re water-resistant (handy for all those flying cups of beer), and also hard-wearing (going to watch music is often a bit of a contact sport). But, obviously, the most important thing is that they look damn good. This one from Beams Plus is particularly pleasing as it does not try to riff on the traditional biker theme or modernise it. It keeps things classic and does the simple things, like zipped pockets and snap-fastening epaulettes, extremely well.
THINGS COULD GET MESSY
If you’re going to watch live music, forget about wearing shoes that you want to keep clean. Or even shoes that you care much about at all, really (depending on how into the music you get, you could lose your footwear in a particularly exuberant crowd surf). We therefore advise that you plump for some trusty black Converse. As you well know, these things were made for scuffing up, so taking them out in front of your favourite band is simply a necessary step in their ageing process.
KEEP YOUR SILHOUETTE SLIM
As we mentioned in the intro, there are many ways in which you can dress at a gig, but we advise that you keep your silhouette, in general, slim and dark. Although these Frame Denim jeans are described as ‘skinny’, we’d suggest they are actually more on the slim side (if the sizing in some high street shops is anything to go by). Skinny can often be synonymous with discomfort and little to no space for your phone or wallet. These jeans will feel snug and look the part, but allow you as much movement as you want.