Article What to Wear to a Country Concert in Kansas City: 4 Outfits for Women
What to Wear to a Country Concert in Kansas City: 4 Outfits for Women
Every concert season, the same question comes across our counter in Shawnee: what do I wear? The answer depends less on who's playing and more on where you'll be standing. A fall night at the amphitheater in Bonner Springs, a packed arena downtown, a small room at Knuckleheads and a July stadium show at Arrowhead are four different outfits. Here's what we'd put together for each one.
The short version:
- Wear boots you've already broken in. You'll stand for four hours and walk a long way from the parking lot.
- Dress for the venue first and the band second.
- One or two western pieces make the outfit. A hat, boots and fringe all at once starts to look like a costume.
- Bring a layer for outdoor shows. Kansas nights drop fast once the sun goes down.
1. The outdoor fall show
The amphitheater in Bonner Springs (most of us still call it Sandstone) is beautiful in October and cold by the encore. Dress for 45 degrees, not for the afternoon.
- Jeans: a dark flare like the Judy Blue High Waist Pintuck Flare, long enough to cover most of the boot.
- Layer: a lined denim jacket like the Schaefer Legend with flannel lining. Warm enough for the walk back to the car.
- Boots: a tall boot keeps your legs warm. The Corral Brown Eagle Overlay has enough going on that the rest of the outfit can stay plain.
- Hat: fall is felt season. A light color like the Resistol 5X Challenger in Silverbelly works with everything, and it keeps the wind off.
2. The arena show
T-Mobile Center and Cable Dahmer Arena are warm inside once they fill up, so this is the night for a dress. Leave the heavy coat in the car if you can. Coat check lines are long.
- Dress: a maxi like the Rock & Roll Denim Embroidered Maxi in Wine. Long sleeves, no jacket needed.
- Boots: with a long hem, go tall and dark. The HYER Wildcat 17" in black shows just under the dress when you walk.
- Jewelry: one piece of turquoise, like the Peyote Bird Crosswinds earrings, and stop there.
Skip the hat at an arena. You'll be holding it most of the night, and the people behind you will thank you.
3. The small room
Knuckleheads, the Truman and recordBar are standing room, close quarters and usually warm. Think jeans and a shirt you can move in, with one statement piece.
- Jeans: a bootcut with some detail, like the Judy Blue Daisy Bootcut with cowboy boot stitching.
- Top: a snap shirt in a bright color, like the Wrangler Colorwash Snap Shirt in Turquoise.
- Boots: a short boot is easier in a crowd. The RW Ranch Roughout in Chocolate won't show scuffs when someone steps on your toes.
- Statement piece: the STS Ponderosa Suede Fringe Jacket. Fringe looks best when it can move, and a small room with a good band is where it moves.
4. The summer stadium show
A July show at Arrowhead means a hot parking lot, a long walk and hours in the sun before the headliner. Comfort wins.
- Dress: something light, like the Sendero Marabella Dress.
- Boots: an ankle boot keeps your legs cool and balances a shorter hem. Try the Circle G Brown and Honey Zigzag ankle boot.
- Hat: summer is straw season. A straw cowboy hat keeps the sun off during the openers. Our guide to felt vs. straw explains when to switch.
Before you go
- Break in new boots first. Wear them around the house for a week. A concert is a bad first day. If they pinch, read our boot fit guide.
- Check the bag policy. Most arenas and stadiums only allow small clear bags.
- Get your jeans length right. Jeans should reach the heel and stay there. Here's how to stack jeans over boots.
Country concert outfit FAQ
What should I wear to a country concert?
Jeans or a dress, cowboy boots you've already broken in, and one western piece like a hat, fringe or turquoise. Dress for the venue: layers for outdoor shows, lighter clothes for a packed arena.
Can I wear cowboy boots to a concert if I'm not a cowgirl?
Yes. Boots with plain jeans and a simple top are the easiest concert outfit there is.
Should I wear a cowboy hat to an indoor concert?
It's your call, but at a crowded arena most people end up holding it. Hats make more sense at outdoor shows, where they keep off sun or wind.
What boots are best for standing all night?
A boot with a walking heel around an inch and a half, a cushioned insole and a fit that's snug at the instep without pinching your toes.
Get your concert outfit in Shawnee
Nigro's Western Store has been outfitting Kansas City since 1973. Stop in at 10509 Shawnee Mission Parkway and we'll help you put a look together, or shop women's cowboy boots, dresses and everything for women online.
