My love for music runs deep. There was nothing like riding with my father on a Saturday afternoon, windows down, and the music on blast. These moments carried over into me attending my first concert alone in 2016. I went to see Partynextdoor and I had a time! Fast forward to now, I’ve been to 15 concerts this year. YUP, 15 different artists (some shows I had to double it. You’ll see why), 15 different outfits, and always a good time. Each concert didn’t call for a new outfit, but I made sure that no matter what, I was comfortable (because most of the shows were standing only) and I looked good.
DVSN: Okay, the fit had to give this night not only because it was the first show of the year for me, but because my brother got us VIP tickets! This meant we would be taking pics with Daniel before the show. GIRLLLL let me tell you, I did that and then some.
I wore red sparkle leggings, thigh-high boots, a black long-sleeve crop top, and a leather jacket. Daniel was so nice and took multiple pics with us. While taking the pic, he even asked if I had any songs I wanted to hear during the show. And guess what? Every song I asked for, he performed! 10/10 experience, definitely did it again a few weeks later.
Mannywellz: This was truly the beginning of the best birthday ever. The night of the concert, I wasn’t only going there. My friends and I went to a party right afterward, so I knew that before I left the house I had to be ready for whatever the night was going to bring…it brought a lot of singing and shaking what my mama gave me, all night long.
I wore a black short-sleeved crop top, a latex skirt (that wasn’t short enough in my opinion), and my chucks. The blue light was my friend that night. but lets be honest, I love how I look under concert lights. I’ll probably hit repeat on this look before the year is truly done.
Usher: A few days later, a few of my friends and I got on a plane and headed to Sin City for THE concert! I had been preparing for this night for months. Most of the outfits that I got for this trip came from Shein, and they did not disappoint.
I could have left the jacket in the room since our hotel was connected to Dobly Live, but it still worked. I’m so glad I didn’t wear the heels I was going to wear. I was able to dance and sing at the top of my lungs the entire show. Believe it or not but, it cost me no more than $15! AND TO TOP IT ALL OFF, I ENDED UP ON STAGE!!!! I don’t think anything has topped that night or trip…yet
If you’re anything like me, you like to get tickets months in advance. This gives you time to plan everything, including where you staying (if you travel for the show) and most importantly what you’re wearing. I highly suggest getting those VIP tickets if you can. Most venues give you early check-in and seating so you can enjoy the show and not worry about anybody being too close, and might even throw in a few drinks. Make the most of the night. GA is cool but there is nothing like getting treated like royalty. It is my goal to get those experiences as much as possible for next year.
Ari Lennox: This wasn’t the first or last time I will see my good sis! I originally purchased tickets for her Howard Theater show but when she announced the additional shows later on, I knew what needed to be done. I sold my original ticket and got another one for her birthday! I’m glad I did because they sold out so quick! This was a show I didn’t get a new outfit for. I just took the dress I wore to the Usher concert and wore a hoodie with it.
This made it look like it was a skirt, which worked out perfectly!
Masego: A few days after Ari’s concert, I went out one night and sprained my ankle. Do you think that stopped me from going out? Absolutely not!! Me and Big Steppa were outside!
I wore the brown tiger dress from Target as a top with my jeans from Shein. The jeans were loose enough to cover it, but I think it added to the whole look, and gave it the razzle-dazzle it needed.
Mac Ayres: It’s funny that some of the shows were in the middle of the week, but this worked in my favor. That night I had to go to work immediately after the show, so my outfit had to get me there and be comfortable for the next 8 hours.
I wore the same jeans from the Masego concert. Instead of a print top, I wore a high-cut bodysuit that gave sexy but not too much. Paired with my oversized SOACG jean jacket and Crocs, it was the best Canadian Tux I could give.
Rosé Fest: I went for the wine and vibes and got a whole concert too. UCB, Ginuwine, Mannie Fresh, and a few DJs came prepared to have us dancing well into the drinks. I’ve been attending this wine fest since 2019. And every year we are required to wear pink and white. The first year I wore white, second year I wore pink with a hint of yellow, pink the following year, and
this year I wore a white faux corset with feathers, a pink skirt from the Sammy B collection with Target, and a button-down pink dress from Rebdolls that was worn as a cardigan. Despite a few misunderstandings at the fest, I had a great time and might I add looked TF good too.
Avery Wilson: Another concert with my brother only means the best. This show was at Bethesda Blues & Jazz Supper Club. A nice switch-up from the usual GA standing venues. We had a table right next to the stage, so we didn’t miss anything. I don’t remember exactly what I ordered but whenever I attend a show here, everything is delicious. Avery sang his ass off, and I gotta say I looked like I belonged there, okay!
With the help of my friend Kiara, she styled me in the brown tiger top from the Masego concert. Tied it to look like a crop top and paired it with this brown maxi dress that I lived in during the summer, but with a twist. I wore it as a skirt. From that moment I was in endless maxi skirts. I loved how I felt in this fit so I had to make sure I felt like that again and again and again.
Don Toliver: Girl, believe it or not, I don’t have any pictures of what I wore that night. Parking was terrible (which was expected since the show was at The Anthem) and it was hot AF. So just picture me in shorts and a T-shirt lol I have never been to one of Don’s shows, so my main goal, as always was to be comfortable because guess what? I had to go to work right after lol SHOCKER. I will say that if you plan to go to one of his concerts, be ready for a lot of jumping. This was definitely one of the most energetic shows I’ve ever been to.
Erykah Badu: I loved that this show was at the Capital One Arena better known as the MCI Center, IYKYK. This meant we got to sit and enjoy the show. Did I sit down? Absolutely not. Yaslin Bey opened for her, which was a treat because seeing him live was not on my bingo cards this year.
I wore one of my favorites from Hanifa; Iggy. The minute I saw her on the runway, I knew I had to make her mine. AND DID! I wear her whenever I get the chance because it’s just too pretty to sit around; of course, I knew I looked good, and the compliments confirmed that.
Beyoncé: GIRL, GIRLLL! I wrote a whole blog post about this outfit. Read here for more details.
I know I said nothing has topped the Usher concert, but put Beyoncé right up there with him. Robin and I left our first Beyoncé concert with our jaws on the floor. After the show was over, I left wanting more. That’s probably why her album made the top 10 on my Apple Music replay 😭
The O’Jays: Now I really wasn’t expecting to see other legends in one year, but when my work mom asked me if I wanted to go with her I couldn’t pass the opportunity up. Another VIP experience with great seats and free food/drinks was added to the books.
I wore a faux fur black tube top with another maxi dress that I wore as a skirt. I wasn’t the most dressed up. The O’Jays had on their suits and their fans came in 3 piece suits and so much more. I lowkey felt underdressed lol
Victoria Monét: She is a performers performer. Her tickets sold out so fast that I had to get tickets to her show in Charlotte, but I wasn’t complaining. This trip allowed me to see some of my friends, visit a city I haven’t been to in years, and see my fav all in one.
To match the vibe of her album Jaguar II, I wore a mesh long-sleeve top with the brown dress that I wore as a skirt to the Avery Wilson concert. It has earned a spot in one of my favorite looks from this year, easily.
Coco Jones: I missed the chance to see her live back in March, so I was so happy when she went back on tour and made a stop in DC. My girls and I wore all black.
I styled my look with a one-sleeve black crop top and the black maxi skirt from the O’Jays concert, and Steve Madden slides. Those will definitely be in my closet next spring and summer.
and finally but not least
Xavier Omär and Elhae: They are my favorites and will always be my favorites. Whenever either one of them has a show here, I make sure I’m there. That night I didn’t get a picture of my outfit but I can tell you that it was very basic lol.
I wore a long-sleeved black top paired with jeans and Crocs. Nothing too special but it did what it needed to for me to be able to enjoy myself completely.
Have you noticed anything from this list? Most of these pieces have been worn multiple times, in many different ways. What this year has taught me is that not every event needs a new fit. Sometimes what you’re looking for is already there in your closet.
Have you been to any concerts this year? If so, let me know who you went to see and what you wore. I’m always down to listen to new music and get inspiration for my next look! Go into next year ready for all the concerts that will be announced, along with the festivals. Plan accordingly because you may never know who’s watching and who has a camera!
Happy holidays and Happy New Year!
See you in the next one,
Xoxo, Jonice 💋
Styles of a Curvy Girl 