Nashville: what to wear for a weekend in the country music capital
Nashville is the only city in the world where you can wear cowboy boots in every situation, morning brunch, afternoon shopping, dinner at a restaurant, and a late-night concert in a honky-tonk, without anyone raising an eyebrow. It’s the city that turned western style into an everyday, universal outfit.
Check out our complete guide: Nashville and Texas: what to wear for a western trip.
(Find all our tips in our complete cowboy boots styling guide.)For a European tourist, Nashville is a full-on fashion experience. This guide helps you get ready so you feel like you belong, stay comfortable, and are ready for everything the city has to offer.
Nashville in a few neighborhoods, in a few styles
Broadway: the main avenue of honky-tonks, live music bars, and touristy restaurants. It’s the beating heart of tourist Nashville. Here, western is everywhere, from hat sellers to boot store windows. The crowd’s western level ranges from authentic locals to groups of tourists in t-shirts.
The Broadway style: cowboy boots + jeans or a skirt + a top that shows you made an effort. The cowboy hat is optional, but it instantly puts you in the vibe. Avoid sneakers and outfits that feel too city, they look out of place.
12South: a trendy residential neighborhood with independent boutiques, cafés, and restaurants. More hipster than country. Western is still present, but in a more urban, contemporary version.
The 12South style: boots (preferably shorter, western ankle boot style) + fitted jeans + a western tee or an open shirt. Cowboy hat optional.
The Gulch: the upscale area with fine dining and rooftop bars. Western dresses up for the occasion.
The Gulch style: elegant boots + a midi dress or jumpsuit + sophisticated western jewelry. Less cowboy hat, more jewelry.
Morning: brunch and shopping
Nashville is a city that starts slowly. On weekend mornings, the pace is relaxed.
The brunch outfit: high-waisted jeans + a simple top + light leather or brown cowboy boots. A straw cowboy hat if the day is sunny. A coffee in one hand, a boot store business card in the other.
Boot stores: Nashville is one of the best cities in the world to buy cowboy boots. Boot Barn on Broadway, Tecovas in 12South, and dozens of independent shops. Plan time and budget, impulse buys are common and fully embraced.
Tip: wear your most comfortable cowboy boots for shopping, you’ll try on a lot of pairs in one day. And throw cotton socks in your bag in case you buy a pair and wear them out right away.
Afternoon: activities and exploring
Nashville offers activities that call for outfits that make sense.
The Country Music Hall of Fame: an indoor, air-conditioned attraction. Clean, casual outfit.
RCA Studios (Studio B): a guided tour of a historic studio. Same vibe.
Strolling Broadway: your most western-forward outfit is welcome here. It’s the perfect moment to wear your cowboy hat.
Local markets or parks: light, comfortable outfit.
Night: honky-tonks and concerts
This is why most people come to Nashville. The bars on Broadway are open until 3 a.m. with nonstop live music.
The Nashville night-out outfit: one notch above daytime. Your best pair of cowboy boots, a more elevated top, jewelry. The cowboy hat is worn with confidence.
For a honky-tonk night: the vibe is down-to-earth, warm, loud. You’ll be standing, dancing, getting bumped. Boot comfort comes first. Broken-in cowboy boots, a stable heel, and an outfit you can dance in.
For a concert in a venue (Ryman Auditorium, Opry, etc.): the Opry is a 2,300-seat theater with seating. The dress level goes up slightly. Dress or jumpsuit + cowboy boots + western jewelry.
What Nashville locals wear
Nashvillians wear their cowboy boots for everything. What sets them apart from tourists: consistency (their boots have been worn dozens of times), cohesion (the rest of the outfit is just as thought-through), and ease (they don’t look like they’re trying).
The Nashville women’s look: straight-leg jeans + brown leather cowgirl boots + a simple top + a denim or leather jacket. A felt cowboy hat in cold weather, straw in summer.
The Nashville men’s look: bootcut jeans + a plaid western shirt + understated leather cowboy boots + a belt. A bolo tie for nights out.
Mistakes to avoid
Bringing brand-new, unbroken-in cowboy boots: you’re going to walk a lot. Unbroken-in boots over several miles a day for a weekend equals guaranteed pain.
Underestimating the summer heat: Nashville in July and August is humid and very hot. Lightweight, breathable fabrics are essential.
Forgetting a jacket for the evening: even in summer, bars and restaurants in Nashville blast the AC. Keep a light jacket in your bag.
To pack your full suitcase for Nashville and other western trips, check out the western outfit guide by occasion.
Nashville will change you
Few cities have this effect: you arrive feeling unsure about western style, and you leave with a clear vision of how you want to dress. Nashville has this ability to convince you that western is simply a way of being dressed. And that you can wear it anywhere.
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