PHOTO: COURTESY URBAN OUTFITTERS/ I AM & CO
Imagine your favorite t-shirt. It seems to magically work with almost everything in your closet. Its fabric is incredibly soft from years of wear, and a little worn in all the right places. It’s softer than your pajamas, and it references your dad’s favorite road trip jam, which makes you feel all warm and nostalgic. This, my friends, is the famous band tee. It’s rooted in vintage but the right styling can make it feel of-the-moment. It’s laid back, but can be dressed up.
The right vintage-inspired concert tee, styled the right way, gives you the confidence of a cool-girl with minimal effort. The true concert tee from decades past can be found hidden on the racks at a local vintage store, but new ones art pooping up at some of our favorite retailers every season. Read on for our favorite band tees on the market, and for proof on how this closet staple is the ultimate outfit chameleon.
Photo: Courtesy Bloomingdales
Chaser Tiger Graphic Tee
$50 at time of publication
This is the perfect starter band tee. It’s not oversized, so don’t worry about losing your shape in it. If a looser fit is what you’re after, however, you can easily size up. The front is emblazoned with a refreshingly democratic “rock and roll” slogan rather than paying homage to a specific band.
This means you won’t have to answer any classic rock trivia from curious friends. It has a classic crew neck and cap sleeves - it’s essentially your favorite black tee with a cool graphic on it, so wear it just as you would with the aforementioned staple to spice up your everyday looks.
This vintage tee is available at Bloomingdales.com
Photo: Courtesy Free People
Free People Nirvana Tee
$68 at time of publication
Leave it to the ultimate cool-girl brand, Free People, to churn out the perfect vintage-inspired band tees season after season. This one comes in three different colors, but the sage green is our favorite.
Both the color and the logo are a little washed out which gives it a charming vintage feel. We encourage you to really pile on the ‘90s inspiration here by wearing it with a floral skirt, chunky Dr. Martens and a low ponytail wrapped in a cute scrunchie. How counterculture of you!
This vintage tee is available at FreePeople.com
Photo: Courtesy Asos
Bershka Sex Pistols Tee
$32 at time of publication
We love the way this Bershka tee from ASOS is styled with patent leather pants, a leopard faux fur coat, black booties and a bright red lip. This look draws inspiration from the ‘80s, but the silhouettes remain pretty modern. With a shirt that’s oversized like this one, we’d recommend wearing it with a sleeker bottom to balance it out. This outfit proves that the band tee, when paired with the right pieces, makes the ultimate going-out look.
This vintage tee is available at Asos.com
Photo: Courtesy Urban Outfitters
Urban Outfitters Queen Band Tee
$39 at time of publication
Are you still reeling from your pre-Oscars viewing of “Bohemian Rhapsody?” Is “We Will Rock You” your pump-up song? Did you dress up as Freddie Mercury for the last 3 Halloweens? Of all of the dope band tees in Urban Outfitters collection, this is the band shirt for you.
We love that it’s designed with a lighter color palette, which makes it perfect for a casual weekend running errands or hanging around the house. Tuck it into a pair of high-rise, light wash jeans or culottes that not only compliment the colors of the graphic but complete the ideal relaxed look.
This tee is available at UrbanOutfitters.com
Photo: Courtesy Shopbop
Anine Bing Cobra Sweatshirt
$169 at time of publication
This sweatshirt is your favorite band tee, winterized. LA brand Anine Bing was founded by its namesake Bing, a former model who was in search of high-quality modern basics. Each collection, in addition to the ultimate leather jackets and perfect silk camisoles, features the designer’s take on the classic band tee. Channel the model-off-duty look and pair this sweatshirt back to a feminine slip skirt and flat ankle boots. The fact that this top is emblazoned with the brand’s signature is also bound to get you points with the cool crowd.
Photo: Courtesy Pull & Bear
Pull & Bear Rolling Stones Tee
$26 at time of publication
This may be the cutest band tee there ever was. It’s a slightly more cropped and boxy shape that looks extra cute with mini skirts or skinny jeans. If you’re a fan of intentional distressing and wear, then this one it for you.
The colorful Rolling Stones graphic on the front is sharp and crips, and its poppy colors are just begging for fun accessories. We would wear this one on a girls’ night out, with a sleek mini skirt or a pair of skinny jeans and a pair of sassy hoop earrings.
This tee is available at Asos.com
Photo: Courtesy Free People
Daydreamer Led Zeppelin Tee
$78 at time of publication
This Led Zeppelin tee claims to be from the the classic rock band’s 1977 tour, and it sure looks that way. The extra distressing on this style gives it more authenticity, but if not styled intentionally it can also veer a little messy.
We love how here it’s styled with a glamorous ear cuff that completely elevate the look. The leopard cardigan overtop also feels decidedly ladylike, and we’re loving the way these additions balance out the band tees distressed aesthetic. We’re calling this look Grunge Glamour and suggest you give it a try.
This tee is available at FreePeople.com
Photo: Courtesy Urban Outfitters
Biggie Smalls Oversized Long Sleeve Tee
$49 at time of publication
He’s not a classic rock artist, and he’s certainly no a band, but we think this Biggie Smalls tee still falls under the band tee umbrella. This one is large and oversized which gives it a delightfully nineties feel.
Treat it almost like a dress and layer it over bike shorts, like it’s worn here. We also love that this oversized silhouette is paired back to dainty jewelry. Pay homage to the hip hop legend’s 1997 album and wear this look with a pair of high top sneakers and belt bag across your chest.
This tee is available at UrbanOutfitters.com
Photo: Courtesy Urban Outfitters
Junk Food Grateful Dead Tee
$39 at time of publication
Rest assured that you can rock a band tee even if your style is inherently more refined. We love the idea of wearing a vintage concert tee with a pair of pleated trousers. The looks conveys vintage inspiration with just a touch of prep.
We also love any opportunity to give our jeans a break and swap in a pair of fun trousers. This pleated pair in a riviera stripe is just so perfect for spring and summer dressing. Throw on an unexpected shoe, like this snakeskin loafer, to round out this preppy-goes-punk look.
This tee is available at UrbanOutfitters.com
Photo: Courtesy Shopbop
Madeworn Rock Rolling Stones Pocket Patch Tee
$175 at time of publication
Wear your band tee to work! Yes, you read that right. This one from Madeworn Rock has a subtler Rolling Stones patch decal above the pocket.
We love the minimalism of this design and see it working perfectly under a checked blazer. Throwing a tailored item like a blazer over top of a casual tee ensures that you’ll look put together for all your important meetings while still prioritizing comfort.
This tee is available at Shopbop.com
Photo: Courtesy Revolve
Lauren Moshi Deanna Tank Dress
$119 at time of publication
Take the concept of effortless dressing one step further by getting yourself the dress version of a band tee. This one piece does it all - wear it with white sneakers and a denim jacket for casual daytime dressing.
Take it out on the town, too, by pairing it with a black leather motorcycle jacket, high gloss booties in a statement color, and feminine gold-tone drop earrings. If you feel so inclined, wear this like a tunic by half-tucking it into a pair of ripped skinny jeans, or leave it untucked and tie a belt around the waist.
This tee is available at Revolve.com