Australian Taylor Swift fans’ costumes go viral as staggering concert windfall revealed
Aussie Taylor Swift fans have hit crunch time for their all-important ‘fits, with one creation starting a viral storm. Here are all the outfit details you need.
Lifestyle
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From handcrafted bodysuits to viral outfits and thrifty finds, the nation’s Swifties are counting down to costume up for the megastar’s Aussie tour dates – and local businesses are set to cash in.
Billionaire pop star Taylor Swift, 34, will touch down for shows at the MCG in Melbourne on February 16, 17 and 18, and Accor Stadium in Sydney on February 23 to 26.
Economists at Deloitte have estimated a monster windfall of $220 million is set to be pumped into the nation’s economy as Swifties spend big to see their favourite star, while Swift herself is predicted to earn $5 million per show.
With just weeks before the US singer arrives, local fans have hit crunch time for arguably the most important decision of the night – the outfits.
From Speak Now diehards to 1989 fanatics, dressing up in your favourite Swift era has quickly become a must-do for concertgoers, with elaborate costumes going viral on social media.
Adelaide Swiftie Jacquie Addison, 24, has spent the past seven months painstakingly hand-bejewelling her outfit, drawing inspiration from Swift’s own custom Zuhair Murad bodysuit worn during the ‘Midnights’ era of the three-hour show.
“I had seen a bunch of Tik Toks of other people in the US making them (rhinestone bodysuits) and I was like: ‘Oh, I can do that’,” Ms Addison said.
“I originally ordered a dance leotard and just dyed it, because that ended up cheaper.
“It was my first time making an outfit, I ordered thousands of beads and rhinestones from Amazon, Etsy and Temu around July last year and started putting it together.”
Ms Addison’s work has not gone unnoticed, with Tik Toks documenting the process of handcrafting her creation racking up almost 500,000 views.
She has also recreated the jacket worn by Swift during the song ‘Karma’, made using tinsel fringe from Amazon, a second-hand jacket from Savers and $10 fabric glue from Spotlight.
Ms Addison admits she was “scared” to add up the price of her outfit after months slaving over hot rhinestones – estimating the costume at $920 in total.
The 24-year-old and her friends opted to make a Great Ocean Road trip out of their Adelaide to Melbourne Taylor pilgrimage, saving cash by booking an Airbnb within minutes of securing their B-reserve tickets.
But interstate Swifties yet to book flights or accommodation could be forced to fork out thousands.
As of Thursday, a direct flight from Adelaide to Melbourne flight on Friday, February 16, will set Swifties back at least $299 with Jetstar, $387 with Virgin or $456 with Qantas – with similar prices on return flights on Sunday, February 18.
Fans travelling from Adelaide to Sydney on February 24 still looking to book flights will be forking out at least $317 with Virgin, $399 with Jetstar and $428 with Qantas.
For those not prepared to bunk in a hostel, Adelaide fans face prices of at least $500-$600 per night for accommodation in Melbourne across the weekend of Taylor’s shows, with some hotels tipping $1000 per night.
It’s a similar story in Sydney, where a night in a hotel between February 22 and 25 is averaging more than $1000.
Justine Gaudreau-Fewster, who is also travelling from Adelaide to Melbourne for Swift’s first Australian show, has opted for a 1989-inspired handcrafted outfit – but has also turned her longtime costuming flair into a booming business.
Ms Gaudreau-Fewster, who is a seasoned ‘cosplayer’ – dressing up as characters from films, books or video games – has sold dozens of custom sunglasses to fellow fans through her online shop, Stardust by J.
“I had these (crafting) skills so just decided to put the sunglasses out there on TikTok to see what happened,” she said.
“I personalise them with the night or concerts that people are going to – for example, I’m working on a set of three at the moment that say Sydney 2024 or Melbourne night one.”
One of Ms Gaudreau-Fewster’s friends is hand making an outfit inspired by Taylor’s ‘Evermore’ dress, while another is creating an akubra strung with ‘friendship bracelets’ – another Swift phenomenon, where fans exchange beaded bracelets.
For those without crafting aptitude, a number of clothing brands have launched ‘concert ready’ lines featuring items influenced by some of Swift’s biggest eras.
Brick-and-mortar retailers including Glassons, Cotton On, Jay Jays, Sportsgirl and Universal Store have collections filled with glitter, shimmering partywear and rhinestone cowgirl aesthetic accessories.
Facebook Marketplace and local community groups have also been flooded with Eras-style outfits, from sequined jackets to bodysuits and tasselled dresses.
It’s not just retailers that are getting in on the Swift bandwagon.
In Victoria, an immersive ‘Blank Space Cafe’ has opened in Newtown, with lyrics printed on coffee cups and aptly named Taylor-inspired drinks like the Lavender Haze and Cruel Summer Spritz going viral on social media.
One Adelaide mum, Danielle Giuliani-Palmieri, is set to spend about $5000 to take her daughters to Swift’s show – but not everyone is prepared to take the financial plunge.
Ebony Adams, 21, decided to sell her Melbourne tickets after spending hours waiting in line outside the Adelaide Entertainment Centre to secure them last year.
“We ended up choosing not to go as flights alone were going to cost $750 per person,” Ms Adams said.
“Even with ‘cheap’ accommodation, hotels are charging more than my entire weeks’ rent for one night in Melbourne.
“Spending $1000 on flights and accommodation, without even including food, drinks, transfers and the cost of getting ready, just wasn’t financially doable.”
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