#OOTD: How to Dress for A Rock Concert

Editor’s note: You’ve surely seen this hashtag lots of different places, including on Instagram. But how does that carry over to real life? The #OOTD will take one great item and put together a versatile, stylish outfit around it. Look for past features here.

Chances are, we’ve all got certain style scenarios throughout the week we have to tackle — be it dressing for a laidback office or a laidback summer weekend, there’s a multitude of conundrums (and opportunities!) to navigate in any given week. If you enjoy live music — as I very much do — you might also find yourself attending a show or two … or three. Heck, from the 2016 Panorama music festival to Governors Ball to an upstate trip to see Lucius, I love it all, and I get out and about to shows quite a bit. If you read this blog, you certainly know that; maybe you’ve even tackled a similar scenario, such as how to dress for a summer music festival. However, non-festival settings are a different animal entirely. We’re usually talking an indoor venue, a more compact crowd, and possibly time spent waiting in line outside. So, what are you going to wear? And namely, what’s a combination that might hold up alright at the office and then heading to the show itself? This is one of the essential questions in life (wink, wink) and it’s the one we’re going to answer below. As yours truly likes to drive home, looking for ways to improve — and maintain — your style comes down to always seizing the chance to do a little bit extra when it comes to getting dressed. That’s where style upgrades come into play, even off the clock. The below outfit certainly has a few of those. If you want to keep up with what I’m wearing at my next show (obviously), head to Instagram. To check out my thoughts on music & other musings, check out my non-menswear Twitter — it exists! — right here.

Ready for the front row -- a chambray shirt, slim black denim and Chelsea boots are about as concert-ready as it gets.

Ready for the front row — a chambray shirt, slim black denim and Chelsea boots are about as concert-ready as it gets.

The Jacket: Abercrombie & Fitch M-65 Military Jacket, $150 –The (somewhat) new and very improved Abercrombie & Fitch is keeping that roll going into the fall season with pieces like this timeless, sharp and versatile field jacket. It works just as well over a knit tie with a blue Oxford as it does with this outfit’s other pieces.

The Shirt: Buck Mason Short-Sleeve Chambray Shirt, $108 — If you’ve kept your eyes peeled, you’ve seen this Buck Mason short-sleeve chambray shirt as part of this site’s Style Pick of the Week series. It’s an essential done the right way, and the short sleeves will keep you cooler even underneath the jacket.

The Denim: Levi’s 505C Slim-Fit Jeans in DeeDee Wash, $98 — Is it cliché to wear black jeans to a rock concert? Not when that pair of denim is inspired by an actual archival style worn by rockers like the Ramones. (Read more by yours truly at The Manual).

The Boots: Soul36 Fairmont Chelsea Boots in Taupe, $249 — Because no trip to a concert is complete with rock-ready footwear, suede Chelsea boots that can handle a bit of a beating are the exact way to go.

The Socks: Pair of Thieves Okapi Socks, $10  — When your outfit relies on lots of shades of blue (plus some black and tan), a vibrant shot of red is never a bad thing. The price on these Pair of Thieves socks simply can’t be beat.

The Belt: Tanner Goods Classic Belt in Hickory, $99.98 — An average belt just won’t do here — no, your belt should be one that works at the office and at a show, and a refined-yet-rugged Tanner Goods belt is neither too dressy or dressed-down.
Frank & Oak
The Watch: AVI-8 Hawker Hunter Watch, $270 — Seeing as we’re pushing for an outfit that’s equal parts rugged, tough and office-ready, this aviation-inspired timepiece — featuring a beefy 45mm case diameter and smart dial design — is ideal.

The Wallet: Andar Wallets Scout Wallet, $22 — Before we get into what makes this wallet so great, know that you can get 10 percent off your purchase with the code ‘STYLEGUIDE’ — now, why should do that? This wallet is slim enough to fit into the front pocket of that denim, functional enough to hold a small amount of cash and a few essential cards, and memorable enough in design that you won’t leave it behind at the bar.

As you can see in the #OOTD above, the small style details matter, from the cut of your shirt to the color of your socks — and they can be merged into one functional outfit that’s fit for something as unique as a rock concert. Those suede Chelsea boots that you might pair with a business-casual look will fit right in as you jockey for a front-row spot (or a spot at the bar). Pieces like a navy military jacket and a chambray shirt are multi-season essentials that work particularly well for transitioning from location to location — indoors or outdoors. The military jacket is rugged yet sharp when paired up with that crisp blue short-sleeve chambray shirt. And while black denim might feel a touch rebellious, a clean wash in a dark color is certainly as concert-ready  as durable pair of inky blue denim. Lastly, that durable watch and slim wallet are nice additions to your daily haul any day of the week. If you have suggestions or thoughts on what you’re wearing to your next show, write me a note on Twitter (my #menswear one, if you prefer).

Stay stylish and snap a concert video for me,

-Beau

Style Pick of the Week: Buck Mason Short-Sleeve Chambray Shirt

Editor’s note: Expect these posts weekly detailing one standout item coveted by yours truly. Sometimes, these fit within budgetary restrictions and other times, they’re expensive splurges worth saving for. For more Wish List items from Beau, head here, and to see other Style Picks, head here.

Savor the last weeks of summer with a chambray shirt that can tackle anything. Flowing locks and well-kept beard not included.

Savor the last weeks of summer with a chambray shirt that can tackle anything. Flowing locks and well-kept beard not included. Photo courtesy of Buck Mason

So you’ve got your slim chinos and your classic white sneakers, but you don’t quite have a shirt to wear with ’em — or do you? The Buck Mason Short-Sleeve Chambray Shirt, my friends, is that shirt — and if that’s not the one, I’d suggest the Buck Mason Oxford. But as to the Short-Sleeve Chambray Shirt: It fits in quite well with the brand’s line of durable, essential basics, which run the course from crisp blue denim to perfectly washed slub tees. And it fits in very well with the sort of menswear you should be looking to rock to finish out summer. We’re talking pieces that can handle a beach walk or a day by the pool, and then drinks out on the town. And we’re talking just as much about pieces that can be fun to wear. If you’re on the hunt for a unique alternative to a classic summer polo or a slim pocket T-shirt, the short-sleeve chambray shirt is the way to go — as  a matter of fact, you can rock the style at least five different ways (wink, wink). The light wash is casual, the workwear-inspired front pockets are a nice visual touch, and the styling potential is certainly tough to beat. Yes indeed, the Buck Mason Short-Sleeve Chambray Shirt can be worn with everything from a pair of stylish swim trunks and slip-on sneakers on Saturday to linen trousers on a casual Friday — no jacket required. And with Buck Mason, you’re getting every bit you pay for — and then some.

Subtle details like front-button chest pockets switch things up from the standard navy polo.

Subtle details like front-button chest pockets and fish eye buttons switch things up from the standard navy polo.

The brand’s story began with a conscious decision to return to American manufacturing, and that commitment to quality and effortless style shines through here. While “heritage style” can sometimes have negative connotations (as seemed to be the case after the trend blew up in the mid-2000s), there’s nothing overly costume-y or dated about a very well-fitting, very well-made short-sleeve chambray shirt. Critically, this shirt is made with a lightweight indigo-dyed chambray — that means it’s breathable and moves easier than heavier shirts cut for fall or winter. Another big benefit? It’s made in America, so it’s right in your wheelhouse if you like to know where your #menswear comes from. And although this particular Buck Mason chambray shirt has short sleeves, know that you can still team it up with, say, a lightweight cotton sweater after a day on the water — it’s even better for layering in that regard. But the benefits don’t stop there — it’s got a bit of an edge to it, to the point where it wouldn’t look out of place worn with an iconic jean like the Levi’s 505C at a rock concert. The tricky part is going to be keeping this shirt in your closet once fall and winter really hit — so if you’re blessed enough to live near Buck Mason’s Los Angeles home base, do us all a favor and continue to rock it year-round.

Click here to get the Buck Mason Short-Sleeve Chambray Shirt.

Do you own any Buck Mason gear? How would you style this chambray shirt? Weigh in at The Style Guide!