After more time, money, and stress than you care to remember, you’ve managed to score two tickets to Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour.
But if you thought that was the hard part, you’re quickly (pardon the pun) realizing there’s still a much more difficult hurdle to overcome.
The question of who to take with you is easy: your teenage daughter has been a fan for years. She’s already picked out her outfit and, as expected, it’s short, bright and pink.
Which brings you to your own thorny dilemma. Whisper it, but you’re not a 16-year-old girl anymore.
In terms of “era”, you are in “middle age” at all times. How do you ditch your everyday uniform of jeans and sweatshirt and seize the occasion, while still managing to not embarrass your daughter or yourself?
Whether you’re going with your daughter, your son, your friends, or just alone, it’s also a glorious excuse to dress up and recapture your own youth. Although perhaps not gradually. The ra-ra Tammy Girl skirt you wore to your first concert (Wham, 1984, don’t judge) may not cut it now that you’re in your fifties. But what will do it?
Fortunately, Taylor Swift is much more than a prolific songwriter. She is also (to borrow the language of her teenage fans) a prolific looker.
Of course, some may be scary for those in their 40s and 50s, but while she may be known for her playsuits, crop tops and microshorts, Tay also embraces a number of styles that are less challenging for those past the first wave. of youth.
Here are your options…
SEQUINS AND Faux FUR COAT
LR: Taylor loves sequins and has experimented with countless faux fur styles when it comes to jackets; Jacket £125, Nikita Karizma dress £149, Phase Eight. Shoes £257, Russell & Bromley necklace £295, Tilly Sveaas
Being reflective, sequins are surprisingly flattering on older skin, especially in warm, golden tones.
Taylor loves sequins, so you can be sure that a large percentage of the audience will be sparkling right next to you, a fact that should allay any fears of looking too dressed up.
As openly anti-fur as she is, that hasn’t stopped Taylor from experimenting with countless faux fur styles.
The singer often adds a brightly colored coat to her tour dress and has recently sported furry faux fur in lavender, light blue and pink, as well as black and white.
Theirs might be from Oscar de la Renta or Stella McCartney, but yours could be had more cheaply on ASOS or eBay. Think of it as a fun addition to your coat repertoire and tone it down with jeans and sneakers if that seems overkill.
Given the recent changes to the British weather, you’ll probably be glad you used it.
A SHARP PANTS SUIT
LR: Taylor is a fan of sharp tailoring; Blazer £95 and trousers £69, Sosandar shoes £99, Never Fully Dressed pendant £55, Ottoman hands necklace £125, Hot Diamond
Bianca Jagger and the Princess of Wales aren’t the only women harnessing the power and elegance of a white pantsuit – Taylor is a fan too.
This would be a perfect concert night look for those who are reluctant to wear something short, bright or sparkly. If white scares you, opt for a soft pastel.
For a classic and flattering look, choose a short or tapered leg. Pair it with heels as high as you can dance.
A BRETON TOP
LR: Stripy Bretons are a staple of Taylor’s tourist wardrobe; Jacket £375, Serena Bute Top £39, Baukjen Jeans £46.99, New Look Pearl Necklace £125, Hot Diamonds T-Bar Necklace £295, Tilly Sveaas
During her Red tour around 2015, Taylor was synonymous with striped Bretons, which she liked to pair with jeans or red shorts. If you’ve reached middle age without having acquired a Breton top or three, you’re doing better than most women.
Now might be the perfect time to bring out yours in homage, worn with silver, white or red jeans. Avoid scarves and jackets with gold buttons: also Cap’n Birdseye.
RED LIPSTICK
If you lack the confidence or wherewithal to dress like Taylor in even the most bland way, there’s a fail-proof makeup trick that will enhance her look. A touch of red lipstick will have you looking concert-ready in an instant. Mac’s Ruby Woo is her signature shade (£22), but Maybelline Made For All Lipstick in shade 382 (£3.99) is a more affordable option.
A TOP BANDAO
Jacket £65, River Island top £35, Sosandar shorts £15, Nutmeg at Morrisons
If there’s one top style synonymous with Taylor, it’s the bandeau.
While hers are typically short to show off a bit of midriff, don’t be discouraged: With the right support (hello, strapless bra) and in a length that hits the waist, a bandeau style can be flattering at any age.
If you don’t want to expose your arms, add a light wash denim jacket.
GO COWGIRL
LR: Taylor loves country and western style; Vest £27.99 and hat £27, River Island skirt £218, Mother Denim boots £185, Aspiga necklace £295, Tilly Sveaas
Thanks to Taylor and Beyoncé, country and western style is having a moment this summer.
Even if you haven’t worn cowboy boots since you were a teenager, now is a good time to revisit the look.
Avoid calf-high boots in favor of knee-high ones (Zara has a black pair, £49.99) as they are more flattering, while a Cuban or block heel will elongate your leg even further.
They will look great with a denim skirt of any length. Don’t be afraid to try double denim: a stylish denim vest can enhance your Western style.
Also ‘where is your horse?’ She tries to combine a red gingham shirt with jeans.
PLATFORM SANDALS
Shoes £65, monsoon.co.uk
Tay has worn a dizzying array of these on tour, usually in dizzying heels that most of us would struggle to walk in, let alone perform a three-hour set. Choose a pair with a lower heel and stacked sole and you’ll find they’re surprisingly comfortable.
Add a good ankle strap and they will be more stable than you think. Esska’s Clara velvet sandals (£160) offer a sophisticated take and are sure to come in handy long after the last strains of Midnight Rain have faded.