From the Wardrobe of Taylor Swift: The Art of Dressing to Communicate Meaning and Reflect Your Era
Image Courtesy: Page Six
Taylor Swift kicked off The Eras Tour on Friday, March 17, 2023 at the State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. This all-stadium concert tour is predicted to be one of the most memorable events in history. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Swift was unable to tour for three of her latest studio albums: Lover (2019), Folklore (2020), and Evermore (2020). So, The Eras Tour is a celebration of all of her albums, including her latest release Midnights (2022). On Good Morning America, Swift described the headlining tour as "a journey through all of [her] musical eras." This statement promises an unforgettable performance and a diverse culmination of all her best hits (while still reminiscing the nostalgia of her early years).
Just a day before opening night, Taylor released exclusive rehearsal photos on her Instagram and Twitter stating she was "In her Eras era." Taylor Swift is known for the way she signifies each of her distinct, individual "eras." Swifties are familiar with this concept, including the hidden messages and infamous Easter Eggs that can be found in her public interactions, song lyrics, music videos, and countless other places. One specific method she uses as an indicator of her current era (and to hint towards new music and upcoming events) is her wardrobe choices. She always shifts her style to match the "era" she currently considers herself in. This can be seen throughout her career as she always dresses in clothing that reflects the content of her most recent album.
Image Courtesy: Pop Sugar
At the 2022 MTV Video Music Awards, upon receiving four awards for All Too Well: The Short Film, Taylor Swift announced the upcoming release of Midnights. She made this iconic speech while wearing what fans would soon consider the most "Bejeweled'' dress of all time (hinting at one of the top tracks on the album). Surrounding this announcement, she showed up to events in other captivating outfits that were reflective of her "Midnights Era," featuring deep blues, embroidered stars, and glistening gems.
This has led Swifities who are attending her concerts to plan outfits aligning with one of Taylor's eras. Either by recreating an outfit that Taylor herself wore during a certain era, or by designing one that is based on lyrics, or that simply radiates the signature aura of an album. Fans are choosing the era they think will allow them to express themselves the most through their outfit, or that contains their favorite songs, or that they feel the most connected to. From complementing an outfit with cowboy boots for a nostalgic tribute to Debut, or with a flannel to allude to the cottage-core essence of Evermore, the possible style combinations are endless. There is no doubt The Eras Tour will produce a fashion collection entirely its own, hence "The Eras era."
Image Courtesy: Twitter
Contemplating the ways we can dress to reflect who or what we are feeling at that moment isn't limited to an outfit for Taylor’s concert. We can adopt her methodical outfit coordination in our everyday lives. While we might not have a ground-breaking, industry-shaping album to hint towards, we can still cultivate a wardrobe that communicates meaning and personality. Our outfit choices are probably the simplest way we can express ourselves, and this opportunity is often overlooked.
Our style is often indicative of what is most important to us at the time. It's part of who we are, it can help us stand out and even improve our confidence level. The related idea of developing an aesthetic to fit your personality, reflect what you're feeling, or convey meaning is currently trending on social media. These aesthetics are also referred to as "eras." When asked, someone might say they are in their "gym era" if they are passionate about exercise and are dressing to reflect this commitment. Others might say they're in their "sad girl era" or "studious era." If you're unsure on what aesthetic fits you best, a great first step would be to identify some of your defining personality traits and interests, then choose clothing that you feel communicates them. Finding inspiration from others' style or by creating mood boards on Pinterest is another effective way to get started. There are countless "What Era Do You Belong In?" articles and Buzzfeed quizzes that can also help inspire you if you feel stuck. Keep in mind that this is a completely subjective creative process, so feel free to design an aesthetic of your own if you can't find one that resonates with you. Determining your era is a form of self-discovery that paves the way for a greater form of self-expression.
Taylor Swift’s artistic genius is made clear by her lyrical poetics and talent to create music that consistently tops the charts. But this stylistic expression can be found in other areas of her life, and her eloquent wardrobe is just one. This practice of curating outfits that denote where we are in life–as well as who we are and what we stand for–is one of the many things we can learn from Taylor. Not to mention, making this effort to dress intentionally to communicate meaning and purpose is an art form in itself. It allows us to intertwine creativity with our everyday life and provides us with a way to fashionably express ourselves through our appearance.
So, what Era are you in?
Strike Out,
Kendal Asbury
Orlando
Kendal Asbury is a content writer for Strike Magazine Orlando. She's always stopping to take pictures of the sky and has the constant urge to romanticize life. When she isn't writing she's listening to Taylor Swift, buying overpriced coffee, or watching Emma Chamberlain. You can reach her at krasbury04@gmail.com and @kendalasbury on Instagram.
