If any of you were lucky enough to score Eras Tour tickets…you might appreciate our latest reader question from Daina:
Hello, friends! I hope I am not too presumptuous calling you “friends,” but I have been following this blog for more than a decade so you sort of feel like friends. 🙂
Here’s my styling question… What does a 50-year-old mom wear to a concert, and specifically a Taylor Swift concert? I am taking my 13-year-old daughter to a TS concert in May. (Yes, the price of the tickets is OBSCENE, but we made a deal, and my daughter is “working” — doing extra chores — to “pay” for her ticket… but I GET how privileged this is.) The teen set is obsessed with planning outfits, but what’s a mom supposed to wear? My daughter offered to plan my outfit, but when she suggested bedazzling my jeans and was urging me to buy silver cowboy boots, I knew I need expert TME help. I want to look appropriate, fun, and not be too much of an embarrassment to my kid, and I don’t want to spend a pile of money on pieces that I will only wear once (cost-per-wear, Shana!). Can you help?
Thank you for brightening my day every day!”
—Daina
Ooo…now THIS is a fun one! Daina, babe, don’t threaten me with a good time. 😉 But, yeah — I *do* get your dilemma: Taylor Swift fans are going all out for the Eras Tour. Take scroll through #ErasTourOutfits on TikTok for some examples, and whoa. The DIY set are literally re-creating iconic Taylor Swift concert looks. Elite Daily put together a quick list of some of the best, and they’re jaw-droppingly good. Think one part Met Gala, one part Halloween costume, one part Swiftie inside joke.
Bottom line? I get why your daughter was busting out the bedazzler. I mean…what’s a girl gonna do? A diamond’s gotta shine.
Polish Up Real Nice: What To Wear To A Taylor Swift Concert (Mom’s Version)
Which now brings us…well, to us. The moms. And if you want to jump in with both feet clad in silver cowboy boots, I will give you a high-five. Haters gonna hate, hate, hate and all that, but I truly think you can wear any damn thing you want.
But since you’re writing in, and specifically mentioned no bedazzlers, I do have some thoughts. Specifically what I — a 40-something mom — would happily wear to a Taylor Swift concert. And?
It always involves sneakers.
If I’m going to any concert (unless it’s an orchestra concert — ha!), I always start with sneakers. Sneaks are the easiest way to dance all night without pain, get stepped on without worry, and give your outfits a youthful, fresh vibe. The key is to pair your sneakers with something a little elevated and cool (which we’ll get to in a second) and to make sure you’re wearing cute sneaks.
My Favorite Sneakers For Dressing Up
First of all, if you were lucky enough to score some adidas Sambas…done. You’ll be regarded as some kind of sartorial hero. If not, here are the sneakers I personally recommend for wearing with dressier outfits.
Taylor Swift Concert Outfit Idea 1: Sneakers, Mini Dresses & Oversized Jackets
“Darling, I’m a nightmare dressed like a daydream.”
Little mini dresses & sneakers are almost always my first move when I want a “wow” outfit that’s more playful than glam. And with the hemline high, adding an oversized jacket looks especially current.
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NOTES: Little floral dresses are very T.Swift, and linen is a solid choice if it’s going to be hot. My favorite dresses for daydreamers — or for at least dressing like one — are always from Reformation (sustainably made, and many come in plus sizes too). That said, there are a ton of other retailers jumping in on Ref’s almost-vintage, sexy-girl-next-door aesthetic.
Shop Mini Dresses
Shop Oversized Jackets
Taylor Swift Concert Outfit Idea 2: Sneakers, Loose Jeans & Pretty Tops
“I come back stronger than a ’90s trend…”
We’re talking long, loose jeans (high-rise or low, either one works) and sneakers. Pair this ’90s classic with a seriously fun statement top, big earrings and smokey eyes (maybe that’s just me?) and you’ve got a look that’s as fun as it is practical.
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NOTES: I especially love platform sneakers with long, loose jeans, but then again…I’m short. 😉 And I can personally vouch for both pairs of sneakers above — bananas comfortable. In terms of tops, silk camis are some of my most-worn wardrobe items, and both CamiNYC’s and Ref’s silk tops are some of my faves. That said…if you’re looking for something more interesting than a simple silk cami, Anthropologie’s Party Tops section is the first place I look.
Shop Party Tops
Shop Long, Loose Jeans
Taylor Swift Concert Outfit Idea 3: Sneakers, Metallic Jeans & Tees
“Feeling so Gatsby for that whole year…”
It’s the combo of unapologetically extra with the metallic jeans and pretty baubles…grounded by sneakers & a T-shirt (graphic tee or not — doesn’t matter).
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NOTES: I was going to round up other pairs of metallic jeans but…honestly? Why bother? The Gap jeans pictured above are relatively affordable and freaking UNBEATABLE. They come in regular, tall and petite sizes, as well as long, short and regular inseam lengths. I have this exact pair in black faux leather, but several other TME editors have them in silver (Amy) and gold (Scotti), and good grief — they’re amazing. If, however, you need some metallic jeans in plus sizes OR you just love pink….Good American’s hot-pink metallic jeans are the only pair that might make me stray from Gap’s.
Shop My Fave Metallic Jeans
Shop My Fave Tees (Mostly Graphic)
Gahhhh, Daina, I hope this helps!!! Have the BEST FREAKING TIME and send in pics!!!
And readers, hey, feel free to weigh in. I KNOW there’s a bunch of you who scored tickets to the Eras Tour, and we’re all dying to hear what you’re wearing! Or — like Daina (S crosses fingers) — send in those pics!!
Xo,
S
Dear Pinners… (Taylor’s Version)
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