23 photos that show how Taylor Swift's concert fashion has changed over the years

Amanda KrauseAug 10, 2023, 16:36 IST

Taylor Swift performs at the CMA Music Festival in Nashville, Tennessee, on June 5, 2008.Tony R. Phipps/Getty Images

At the start of her career, Taylor Swift almost always performed in sundresses and cowboy boots.
Over the years, she began experimenting with costumes and crop tops.

Taylor Swift has been in the spotlight for nearly two decades. And in that time, her performance fashion has made almost as much of an impact as her music.

Swift first hit the music scene in sundresses and cowboy boots, cementing herself as a country sweetheart. But as she rose to fame, her clothes evolved with her. Floral prints were replaced with sparkles, headbands were removed in favor of black fedoras, and costumes found their place in her wardrobe.

Here's a look at how Swift's onstage style has evolved, from those early looks to her current sparkling bodysuits and flowing gowns.

Taylor Swift's earliest performance outfits included colorful dresses, lots of jewelry, and statement cowboy boots — including ones emblazoned with her name.

Taylor Swift at an Academy of Country Music show in Las Vegas, Nevada, on May 14, 2007.Ethan Miller/Getty Images

As her career started to grow, sparkling minidresses became her staple.

Taylor Swift performs at the CMA Music Festival in Nashville, Tennessee, on June 5, 2008.Tony R. Phipps/Getty Images

Still, she didn't shy away from more casual looks. To perform at the World Series, Swift once wore a baseball zip-up with a miniskirt, tights, and leather boots.

Taylor Swift performs at a World Series game in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on October 25, 2008.Pool/Getty Images

After the release of her second album "Fearless," Swift's sparkling dresses got an upgrade. She wore ones in different colors and with glittering fringe.

Taylor Swift performs at the Academy of Country Music Awards in Las Vegas, Nevada, on April 5, 2009.Ethan Miller/Getty Images

It was also around that time in 2009 that she began experimenting with quick-change looks. To perform "You Belong With Me," for example, she'd wear a robe that later revealed a minidress.

Taylor Swift performs at the CMT Music Awards in Nashville, Tennessee, on June 16, 2009.Kevin Mazur/Getty Images

It was also around that time in 2009 that she began experimenting with quick-change looks. To perform "You Belong With Me," for example, she'd wear a robe that later revealed a minidress.

But her costumes reached another level on her first headlining tour, where she dressed as a marching-band captain, princess, and more.

Taylor Swift performs at the Fearless Tour in New York City on August 27, 2009.Jason Kempin/Getty Images

Still, sparkling dresses never left her wardrobe. At Jingle Ball in 2009, Swift wore a silver-and-black frock decorated with beaded fringe and a geometric pattern.

Taylor Swift performs at Jingle Ball in New York City on December 11, 2009.Theo Wargo/Getty Images

Leading up to the release of "Speak Now," Swift started debuting floral sundresses with sweetheart necklines and pleated skirts.

Taylor Swift performs at the CMA Music Festival in Nashville, Tennessee, on June 13, 2010.Rick Diamond/Getty Images

She also leaned into her country roots during that album cycle, donning neutral dresses with lace detailing and oxford heels.

Taylor Swift performs at the Academy of Country Music Awards in Las Vegas, Nevada, on April 3, 2011.Ethan Miller/Getty Images

The sleeveless, gold fringe dress Swift wore to perform "Fearless" tracks on the Speak Now tour has become one of her most iconic looks to date.

Taylor Swift performs at the CMA Music Festival on June 12, 2011.Katherine Bomboy/Getty Images

So has the purple halter dress she wore during those shows. The garment, which had a ruched bodice and mesh skirt, is now the unofficial dress of her Speak Now era.

Taylor Swift performs at the Speak Now Tour in Newark, New Jersey, on July 24, 2011.Kevin Mazur/Getty Images

As Swift began promoting "Red" in 2012, her style shifted completely. On stage, she began wearing striped shirts, black shorts, and oxford flats.

Taylor Swift performs at the MTV VMAs in Los Angeles, California, on September 6, 2012.Kevin Mazur/Getty Images

And when she wore sparkles during that era, they often covered sheer shirts and complemented her black fedora hats.

Taylor Swift performs at the iHeartRadio Music Festival in Las Vegas, Nevada, on September 22, 2012.Kevin Mazur/Getty Images

But the "Red" era was also when Swift began experimenting with daring looks. At the 2013 CMT Music Awards, for example, she performed in a black bustier and form-fitting dress.

Taylor Swift performs at the 2013 CMT Music Awards.Michael Loccisano/Getty Images

But the "Red" era was also when Swift began experimenting with daring looks. At the 2013 CMT Music Awards, for example, she performed in a black bustier and form-fitting dress.

Swift's onstage style was all about crop tops when she began promoting "1989" in 2014. Of course, many of them were sparkly.

Taylor Swift performs at the MTV VMAs in Inglewood, California, on August 24, 2014.Kevin Mazur/Getty Images

She also sported more colorful looks when she embarked on the 1989 World Tour via glittering skater skirts and multicolored varsity jackets.

Taylor Swift performs at the 1989 World Tour in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, on May 22, 2015.Christopher Polk/Getty Images

After a few years away from the spotlight, Swift emerged on the Reputation Tour with a new style. One of her famous looks included a black hooded bodysuit and thigh-high boots.

Taylor Swift performs at the Reputation Tour in Dublin, Ireland, on June 15, 2018.Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images

After a few years away from the spotlight, Swift emerged on the Reputation Tour with a new style. One of her famous looks included a black hooded bodysuit and thigh-high boots.

And her style changed again only a year later when she began promoting "Lover." On stage, she once wore a fringe rainbow jacket with a matching corset piece and yellow sneakers.

Taylor Swift performs at iHeartRadio Wango Tango in Carson, California, on June 1, 2019.Rich Fury/Getty Images

And her style changed again only a year later when she began promoting "Lover." On stage, she once wore a fringe rainbow jacket with a matching corset piece and yellow sneakers.

At the end of 2019, Swift began using her outfits more boldly to make statements — like a button-up top covered with the names of her earliest albums, which she was fighting to purchase the rights to.

Taylor Swift performs at the American Music Awards in Los Angeles, California, on November 24, 2019.John Shearer/Getty Images

At the end of 2019, Swift began using her outfits more boldly to make statements — like a button-up top covered with the names of her earliest albums, which she was fighting to purchase the rights to.

And on her Eras Tour this summer, Swift has been using her clothes to relive her old eras while also giving them new life.

Taylor Swift performs at the Eras Tour in 2023.Christopher Polk/Penske Media via Getty Images

Her "Reputation"-themed outfit, for example, includes black boots and an asymmetrical catsuit decorated with a sparkling, red snake design.

Taylor Swift performs at the Eras Tour in Denver, Colorado, on July 14, 2023.Tom Cooper/Getty Images

While performing "Folklore" tracks, Swift changes into flowing gowns with capes and flat shoes — a big departure from previous tour looks.

Taylor Swift performs at The Eras Tour in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on May 27, 2023.Kevin Mazur/TAS23/Getty Images for TAS Rights Management

Her most daring look of the tour is a midnight-blue bodysuit that's decorated with sequins and beaded fringe. She wears it with fishnet tights, a matching garter, and Louboutin boots.

Taylor Swift performs at the Eras Tour in Foxborough, Massachusetts, on May 19, 2023.Scott Eisen/Getty Images

Her most daring look of the tour is a midnight-blue bodysuit that's decorated with sequins and beaded fringe. She wears it with fishnet tights, a matching garter, and Louboutin boots.

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23 photos that show how Taylor Swift's concert fashion has changed over the years

Taylor Swift's earliest performance outfits included colorful dresses, lots of jewelry, and statement cowboy boots — including ones emblazoned with her name.

As her career started to grow, sparkling minidresses became her staple.

Still, she didn't shy away from more casual looks. To perform at the World Series, Swift once wore a baseball zip-up with a miniskirt, tights, and leather boots.

After the release of her second album "Fearless," Swift's sparkling dresses got an upgrade. She wore ones in different colors and with glittering fringe.

It was also around that time in 2009 that she began experimenting with quick-change looks. To perform "You Belong With Me," for example, she'd wear a robe that later revealed a minidress.

But her costumes reached another level on her first headlining tour, where she dressed as a marching-band captain, princess, and more.

Still, sparkling dresses never left her wardrobe. At Jingle Ball in 2009, Swift wore a silver-and-black frock decorated with beaded fringe and a geometric pattern.

Leading up to the release of "Speak Now," Swift started debuting floral sundresses with sweetheart necklines and pleated skirts.

She also leaned into her country roots during that album cycle, donning neutral dresses with lace detailing and oxford heels.

The sleeveless, gold fringe dress Swift wore to perform "Fearless" tracks on the Speak Now tour has become one of her most iconic looks to date.

So has the purple halter dress she wore during those shows. The garment, which had a ruched bodice and mesh skirt, is now the unofficial dress of her Speak Now era.

As Swift began promoting "Red" in 2012, her style shifted completely. On stage, she began wearing striped shirts, black shorts, and oxford flats.

And when she wore sparkles during that era, they often covered sheer shirts and complemented her black fedora hats.

But the "Red" era was also when Swift began experimenting with daring looks. At the 2013 CMT Music Awards, for example, she performed in a black bustier and form-fitting dress.

Swift's onstage style was all about crop tops when she began promoting "1989" in 2014. Of course, many of them were sparkly.

She also sported more colorful looks when she embarked on the 1989 World Tour via glittering skater skirts and multicolored varsity jackets.

After a few years away from the spotlight, Swift emerged on the Reputation Tour with a new style. One of her famous looks included a black hooded bodysuit and thigh-high boots.

And her style changed again only a year later when she began promoting "Lover." On stage, she once wore a fringe rainbow jacket with a matching corset piece and yellow sneakers.

At the end of 2019, Swift began using her outfits more boldly to make statements — like a button-up top covered with the names of her earliest albums, which she was fighting to purchase the rights to.

And on her Eras Tour this summer, Swift has been using her clothes to relive her old eras while also giving them new life.

Her "Reputation"-themed outfit, for example, includes black boots and an asymmetrical catsuit decorated with a sparkling, red snake design.

While performing "Folklore" tracks, Swift changes into flowing gowns with capes and flat shoes — a big departure from previous tour looks.

Her most daring look of the tour is a midnight-blue bodysuit that's decorated with sequins and beaded fringe. She wears it with fishnet tights, a matching garter, and Louboutin boots.