Concert Culture - Why Fans Dress The Way They Do

Concerts have long been spaces of collective experience, but in recent years they have evolved into something more immersive and expressive. To my knowledge, Harry Styles’ Love On Tour, famously known as HSLOT, was the tour that changed the concept of modern concert culture. Fans of Styles began dedicating their looks to him, dressing in his aesthetic, copying stage outfits, and turning the concert into an event rather than just a music performance. Many fans also coordinated their outfits with lyrics from his songs, often dressing as fruit — a staple in Styles’ lyrics and titles, with hits such as Cherry and Watermelon Sugar. Feather boas, inspired by his 2021 Grammy performance, and heart-shaped red tinted glasses, inspired by the Watermelon Sugar music video, also became key elements of fan outfits. This trend continued when his third album, Harry’s House, was released, and the HSLOT tour extended, allowing fans all over the world to experience the large-scale tour celebrating both albums.

Concert culture has always existed, but it is hard to deny that the Harries had a major impact on shaping what it looks like today. Attendees of Taylor Swift’s The Eras Tour and Sabrina Carpenter’s Short n’ Sweet Tour also wore outfits inspired by the artists’ previous looks. This even influenced artists such as Chappell Roan to set themes for each show on her tour, encouraging fans to dress according to concepts like “Midwest Princess,” “Mermaid,” and “Pink Pony Club,” all inspired by her music. Many argue that since fans began dressing in artist-inspired outfits, concerts have developed a stronger sense of togetherness and inclusivity.

© Pinterest / Taylor Swift / Harry Styles / Chappell Roan / Charlie XCX