I Bought My Ticket but That Wasn’t Enough…
Ticketmaster is everyone’s favorite toxic relationship. I pay for dynamic pricing and the app lets me have what I believe is the greatest night of my life (it was, I promise) until we go through the same cycle, not even a few months later. This year, many past and present artists are completing world tours. However, the one question that pops into everyone's mind the minute the ticket is purchased is, “What will I wear?”. This led to some of the most iconic fashions we have seen in recent years, with many fans taking inspiration from tours of the band and aesthetics of albums.
Taylor Swift
In 2024, we saw Taylor Swift bring her Eras tour to the UK, with her doing three nights in Edinburgh Murrayfield. This tour has seen her perform multiple songs from all her albums and break record after record. When it came down to fans choosing what to wear, it only made sense to dress as your favorite era. The cowboy boots of debut, black leather and snakes for reputation, to full glitter for midnights were all seen across social media. Some people got very creative and went as specific as taking inspiration from their favorite songs. There were many full block colours for certain albums such as red. This was the easiest shopping wise as you picked what you felt represented the era you were wearing.
Images courtesy of Mashable and Hello Magazine
Olivia Rodrigo
She kicked off her UK leg of the GUTS tour earlier this year. Here, Olivia Rodrigo still has that pop girl style but with slightly grungier elements. Including many pairs of Doc Martens, which she is known for touring in, converse and fishnet tights were all good starting points. The overall album's colorings saw a lot of red and mainly purple being used. Imagine Avril Lavigne gone pop. Leather jackets were a must, with more feminine dresses underneath paired with fishnets and docs. There was also an increase in sparkly skirts, which could be
reused easily (sustainable and practical purchases are encouraged with concert fashions). We were all obsessed with the grungier pop princess energy being given.
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Charli XCX
Brat summer may be over however Charli XCX was ready to keep the idea going with her performing at the OVO Hydro in December. Brat has an impactful influence on the clubbing mindset this summer. With this being thrown right into inspiration for outfits. Here, we saw neon green being the main colour scheme of the album, being used for most outfits. Cargos and mini skirts, with sunglasses just as mini were all considered brat. Men were seen particularly going for the Troye Sivan style much more heavily while in attendance.
Image courtesy of Getty Images
Image Courtesy of Hot Topic
Foo Fighters
The Everything or Nothing at All tour was the Foo Fighters 2024 tour. Foreveryone, we saw the main outfits involving classic rock band tour t-shirts, for Dave Grohl and Nirvana as well as Foo Fighters own. Many leather jackets and docs were again used here to give the classic rock star look. A trip to armstrongs was potentially a must before this for their worn jackets that were likely someone's dads prior.
Niall Horan
Niall Horan had his latest tour this year, with many of his own and One Direction fans being in attendance. This was much more of a relaxed show in a lot of people's views with jeans and t-shirt combos being a frequent love. Again, these sparkly skirts I can’t stop talking about made their appearance once again. A pair of Converse were also highly advised for the occasion.
Image Courtesy of The New York Times
Morgan Wallen
He may have thrown that chair off the roof on Broadway, but everyone else was throwing their cowboy hats and boots on for this night at the OVO Hydro. The country artist came to the UK for his latest tour. Most country fans brought out their denim and best cowboy looks for the night. The all-black outfit with a different colored boot was seen in great amounts. A personal favorite of mine is the red cowboy boots Julianne Hough wore in Footloose (2011), which I go out and buy myself. This country music night wouldn’t be complete without including some bandanas and big buckled belts to finish off anyone's looks.
The Looks of 2025
Continuing on from such a successful lineup of artists and concerts this year there are many more to come in 2025. There are a lot of ideas already being thrown out as to what will be worn to these. I’ve listed a few of the tours coming up and what may be the fashions.
Oasis
Potentially the most anticipated reunion tour in recent years, these were tickets that were highly sought after. When it comes to this tour, we are looking at much more male-dominated fashions such as football shirts and the casual football style being a good vibe, start thinking of brands such as Umbro (see below). With sambas being the key choice of shoe, you should invest in your pair now. In August, a parka would not be recommended however, there will be an urge to pull one out of the back of the wardrobe and that is an urge you should accept. For everyone, baggy jeans would be a good step, especially considering how much more comfortable they are.
Images courtesy of Getty Images
Image Courtesy of Teen Vogue
Sabrina Carpenter
Her new album, short and sweet, has led to her latest tour being highly anticipated, with the tickets being in high demand. The main color palette features pastels, with much softer and feminine details. In the American shows she did in 2024, there were a lot of lace and silk pieces with glitter worn by her on stage. This is likely to be played into when she eventually comes to the UK. While for shoes there’ll be a lot of platform boots much like the ones worn by her on the Eras tour. Her Naked Wolfe’s might be out of most budgets and there's likely going to be more purchases from Steve Madden, which are also far easier to break in.
Gracie Abrams
Up and coming pop girly will be doing her latest tour this coming year. A trend that has been continuous for her performances has been bows. Mainly, girls wear them in their hair however this is expanding into their outfits as well. Overall, Gracie has a feminine vibe, and styles similar to the coquette aesthetic. White summer dresses from places like Urban Outfitters could be a good starting point, as well as Hollister.