Think of all the tees you’ve ever bought in your life. What’s your favorite? We can almost guarantee there’s a (now) vintage band t-shirt that came to your mind. The memories from that extra fun day with friends, the feelings that flood you when you hear your old favorite songs, and the general sense of nostalgia for the carefree days of the past all make band tees some of the best to have and hold onto.
Band tees represent a time in your life and an aesthetic you may have held with your identity around that time. They’re often comfortable, have an interesting design, and speak to you on a very personal level. More than your everyday tee, they’re wearable memories which is why vintage band tees are such an important part of modern-day fashion. Plus, the tees’ unique graphics make for an excellent conversation starter anywhere you wear them.
Unfortunately, with time comes a change in size, wear and tear on clothes, and either losing items when you move or shedding items to skim down your wardrobe. Whichever caused your current lack of band tees can finally be reversed thanks to the availability of vintage band t-shirts we have at Thrilling. All you have to do is choose which speaks to you!
How To Choose Vintage Concert T-Shirts
You can find vintage concert t-shirts all over the internet, so there is no shortage of choices. But how do you find a good quality tee that also elicits the same emotions as your old ones? You can buy that vintage band tee aesthetic from almost any clothing store, but wearing a shirt that was actually there gives it a little extra power. If you want authentic fan vibes, you need to go on a vintage hunt.
If you’re looking to wear something meaningful to you or representative of a point in your life, think carefully about which bands and artists were important to you. Then think again about which have upheld that importance, or at least those that still hold fond memories for you.
If you’re not chasing nostalgia but rather looking for the perfect top for your edgy outfit, think about the look you’re going for and the era of the band that you’re interested in. Think about if there is a certain album or show from that band that you feel best aligns with your look. With this in mind, you can narrow down your options quite a bit.
Be aware if you’re only looking to complete a look. Some might say it is a rule of band tees that you must actually listen to the band you’re repping. Celebrities have been called out for their pictures on social media, where they’re seen in uncharacteristic band tees. The band’s true followers may be sensitive to those only rocking the shirts for the sake of fashion.
However, with respect, we disagree. Fashion shouldn’t have rules. So if you love The Beatles but can’t name the drummer that predated Ringo, who cares? If the shirt makes you happy, wear it. Everyone should be allowed to dress as they choose, so please do not feel discouraged in trying out this laidback look.
Some of Our Favorites
It’s hard to pick favorites, so here are just a few that strike a special chord with us. Maybe you grew up with these bands, or maybe you discovered them by flipping through your fave streaming service. Either way, here are some great pieces to shout your love from the rooftops.
You Two?
Remember when everyone had that U2 album stuck on their phones? We do, too- *sigh*. Despite that hassle, U2 has been popular for a long time and made even more memorable by the whole situation. If you still get a good laugh thinking about their songs blasting through the car speakers every time your Bluetooth connected, this ’80s U2 Concert T-Shirt may be for you.
Reminiscent of two times, both originally enjoying their music and then being haunted by it. The 1984 heather gray crew neck features a graphic on both sides plus the band logo. Clean and ready to wear, this shirt is in great condition and ready to go on its next concert adventure.
Highway to...Fashion
If you’ve ever listened to a classic rock radio station, you’ve certainly heard AC/DC. Literally, everyone has rocked out to their Back in Black album, and if you haven’t, perhaps your parents did. AC/DC is a staple to the rock scene, and with such broad listenership, no one looks out of place in one of their vintage concert t-shirts like this 80’s AC/DC Distressed Band T-Shirt.
This tee from 2005 has the sleeves and bottom hem cut off for that effortlessly cool distressed look. 100% cotton and 100% awesome, you’ll rock any scene in this one.
Give Us a Kiss
The ultimate rockstars, KISS, have some of the coolest vintage concert t-shirts there are. Everyone has listened to KISS, whether they realized it or not, and they remain one of the most identifiable groups in music history. This 90’s KISS Concert Tour T-Shirt is perfect for adding a touch of light-hearted rock ‘n’ roll to your look.
This tee is in excellent condition with just a small intentional cut at the neckline by the owner. It features original graphics on both sides of the shirt and is from their Alive Worldwide 96-97 tour. You don’t need the iconic makeup to complete the look, but we’d be down for it all the same.
How To Style Your Vintage Concert T-Shirts
The draw to old band tees is that they provide that cool, punk look with no effort beyond throwing it on in the morning. A go-to pairing for any of these shirts would be your favorite pair of jeans. Channel the style of the band’s time and consider ripped jeans if that was a wardrobe staple in their peak.
You can even recall what you wore at that time and mimic your younger self with an updated riff on those outfits. If that was skinny jeans and a studded belt, go for it. Recreate the whole look or choose selectively. Though, if you’d prefer to mix your long-time musical favorites with your current style, you can more elegantly pair a vintage concert t-shirt with a well-fitting pair of black pants and daintier accessories like small rings, thin bangle bracelets, or even a pearl necklace..
You can also just enjoy your favorite band tees paired with your favorite sweatpants and a pair of fuzzy socks around the house. There’s no wrong way to rep your old favorites.
We’re With the Band
Styling your band tees can be an incredibly fun way to play up your inner child with your modern responsibilities or relive some beloved memories. However, you choose to wear them; all that matters is that you stay true to yourself and, of course, the music! No one is going to laugh at you if you dance around in your tee while listening to your favorite record.
Sources:
More than merch: why band T-Shirts are so important | BBC
Not heard Nirvana? Nevermind … How fashion co-opted the band T-shirt | The Guardian
Mini trend: the rules of wearing band T-shirts | Sydney Morning Herald