As the summer months creep upon us, the chance that you’ll find yourself at an outdoor event becomes much higher. While rocking your favorite cool jeans is great when there is an air conditioning unit going, they will most likely be far too hot to wear outside. The question comes up, then, “What can I wear that still fits the gig”. The answer to this question is going to vary from one situation to the next.
Many cotton cargo pants might serve as a viable option if you are playing in a modern-rock band. This way, you can keep the Rock going with some style. The darker colors, while they might be the first choice, are going to keep you just as warm as those jeans. Many companies offer cargos that are made from light-weight summer fabrics, such as slub and rip-stops, which can still definitely portray a rock sensibility. Black slacks can be very rock and roll, but watch the materials, as some of the options out there may leave no benefit in the heat.
For the Classic Rock and Blues crowd, you have a few more options, as slacks are more widely accepted for stage wear when you’re playing the older stuff. I have recently picked up some linen pants, in black, which are light-weight and allow for plenty of air flow around those heat-sensitive areas… I also chose a brown and black patterned linen shirt that makes a very comfortable and cool looking summer gig outfit. The look of a linen stage outfit could very quickly end up in yacht-rocker territory. You want to make sure that if you are playing in a band that rocks, you still have a little attitude going on (leave the salmon pink linen shirt on the rack at the store and go for black, blue or the brown/natural color).
Shorts may seem like an obvious answer here, but I am going to have to add extra caution to wearing shorts onstage. Baggy cargo shorts that every dude in the audience is also wearing make it hard for you to stick out, and make it look like you just got done mowing the lawn. Be sure to find shorts that are comfortable and fit you well (not baggy/dumpy looking). For you skinny guys, Dickies or most shorts you can find that are just casual shorts will do well. For us bigger guys the risk of looking BAD (in a bad way) in shorts is even higher. Make sure you find shorts that are not too long, and not too loose in the leg. Thank God for the hipsters, though... They've brought about a ton of 'slim fit' options that make it possible to dress well while wearing shorts!
Heavy metal guys, you aren’t going to listen to me anyway… Keep rocking your baggy/dumpy cargo shorts. I still think there are better options that won’t make you look like you are trying to hang on to your 12-year-old days, but I know that you guys are going to be wearing all black no matter what.
Let me just switch over to your feet for a second. Clunky white running/tennis/training shoes are a horrible thing. Nothing messes up a look worse than inappropriately dorky shoes. Go for something comfortable that isn’t a clunky white sneaker. If, and only IF, you happen to be playing in a Beach Boys or Jimmy Buffet style band by the beach or pool you may want to wear sandals or flip-flops. Any other gig situation I recommend a good pair of smart-looking shoes. This may be a casual loafer or skate-inspired shoe. I've got a pair from Macbeth, which is a shoe company put together by musicians for musicians and I've got a pair of cotton kicks like Converse, you can't go wrong with All-Stars! There are plenty of options that are not heavy leather shoes that will make your feet feel like you are standing on the sun. I still do black work boots sometimes - mix those with some black shorts (not cargos) and I'm all set to rock the 90's look!
And on a final note, nothing looks cooler that appropriately applied sunscreen and hats, as long as they are cool hats!!