Braving the bitter chill on a dreary November afternoon, dedicated Swifties infused the Rogers Centre with an air of glitz and glamour as they eagerly gathered for the inaugural concert of Taylor Swift’s six-date Eras Tour in Toronto.
Fans transformed the stadium into their very own red carpet, showcasing everything from meticulously curated matching outfits worn by mothers and daughters to extravagant DIY looks that took weeks of crafting to perfect.
As Taylor Swift prepared to take the stage for the first of her six concert performances in Toronto, excited fan anticipation filled the air, leading us to engage with concertgoers about the thoughtful details of their outfits.
Cousins Tia Shea, 16, left, and Alissia Alvanese, 18, made quite the impression, earning spots on the best-dressed list on the inaugural day of the Toronto Eras Tour.
Alvanese expressed, “My holy grail is ‘Folklore,’ ‘Evermore’ and ‘The Tortured Poets Department’ — anything that reminds me of being deep in a forest,” emphasizing how deeply connected she feels to the vibe of those albums. She added, “After ‘Folklore,’ I was like, ‘I’m buying and putting it on my body.”
Shea, who performed a dance solo to “The Archer,” proudly wore a look inspired by the “Lover” album, explaining her concert outfit’s significance.
Zainab, a first-year university student, has been a Swiftie since childhood and proudly attended her favorite artist’s concert. She candidly revealed to the Star that she decided to skip class on Thursday to witness the magic at the Rogers Centre and planned to do the same again on Friday, following her fortunate acquisition of tickets for all three of this week’s Eras concerts.
Wearing a whimsical pink puff-sleeve dress paired with a “Miss Americana” sash and embellished sparkly tiara, she said, “It’s ‘Lover’ themed; it’s my favorite album, you know?”
Brenda MacLean showcased the charm of familial love by attending the concert adorned in a striking fuchsia faux-fur jacket and heart-shaped glasses, making the Eras Tour a delightful family affair. She and her daughters, Maxine and Michelle, along with her granddaughter Madeline Smallman, traveled all the way from Nova Scotia for what they described as a once-in-a-lifetime experience. MacLean drew inspiration for her own ensemble from her favorite album, “Reputation,” while Michelle sparkled in a sequined jacket layered over a T-shirt dedicated to Swift’s beloved cats, Olivia and Meredith. Young Madeline embraced a “Lover” aesthetic, donning a pink mini dress embellished with heart-shaped pearls, exclaiming, “It’s been my dream [to see Swift] since I was four years old.”
Hannah Green, a spirited 20-year-old from Peterborough, wore a jacket she had meticulously bedazzled herself, radiating our shared anticipation for the forthcoming release of “Reputation (Taylor’s Version).” The process of decorating her jacket with the phrase, “I never trust a narcissist,” a memorable lyric from “I Did Something Bad,” took a laborious month and a half. “I got the boots and I saw the little hoop things and I was like, that would be cute to dangle the bracelets from,” she noted, gesturing toward her dazzling silver boots. “I had too many bracelets to fit on my arm.”
Stella Urlacher, a spirited 10-year-old Swiftie from Cold Lake, Alta, made a striking impression with her outfit inspired by Swift’s “Red” era. Draped in a vibrant scarlet fuzzy jacket, chic black sequinned pants, and a stylish black hat reminiscent of those lucky fans receive at every concert, Stella exuded excitement. This outfit was a birthday present she eagerly picked out herself for her Taylor Swift-themed birthday party held in May. “I think she’s (Taylor) awesome,” Stella remarked with an infectious enthusiasm.
When asked how she and her mom were appreciating the city so far, Stella joyfully added, “Toronto is really good and much different than home.”
Stevie Polga, who traveled all the way from Calgary to see Taylor Swift’s performance in Toronto, was fortunate enough to snag a last-minute ticket thanks to her friend Emma, who had an extra. Donning a “Reputation” theme with a “God Save the Queen” T-shirt, she didn’t shy away from channeling her love for “Evermore” with a varsity jacket complemented by metallic makeup inspired by the “Lover” era.
Nallely Castro, who journeyed from Michigan, brought a creative touch to her outfit, inspired by the dazzling “Bejeweled” music video. Following a recent breakup, she decided to book a trip to Toronto as a getaway. Her self-designed jewelled bustier, headband, and boots took about a week to complete. “I miss him. But I miss sparkling. You feel me?” she shared lightheartedly. She detailed the extensive efforts required for her footwear, which occupied her for two days of diligent bedazzling. “The boots really took the most,” Castro said. “We’re losing a couple of jewels here, but it’s still so worth it.”
Jessica Francis-Drolet, also from Nova Scotia, channeled her love for Swift through her outfit, featuring a white corset and printed vintage-like skirt alongside a pearl choker. “I’ve been a fan of Taylor since she debuted,” she eagerly stated. Her journey has had its challenges, as she expressed, “I always wanted to see her in a show, and I never could.”
Paige Wierzbicki celebrated her 27th birthday on Thursday in a glittering blue sequined jumpsuit, drawing inspiration from the “Lover” era to mark the special occasion. “I just got married, we’re coming up on one year, so I figured ‘Lover’ era was perfect,” Wierzbicki reflected with a smile.
Swiftie couple Jordon Solomon and Langleigh Androsoff traveled all the way from Prince Albert, Sask., with their unique Eras Tour outfits in hand. “To be honest, I saw somebody with a similar outfit on Instagram, and I really like the brim hat look that a lot of people have been rocking,” Solomon said, revealing his style inspiration. Androsoff embraced the “Reputation” era with her black leather jacket, sparkling mini dress, and silver cowboy boots, sharing how the song “Don’t Blame Me” held sentimental value in her journey of discovering Swift’s music.
Leslee Samson and her friends Lawrence and Larah dazzled as they arrived together in a spectacular display of sequins, paillettes, and jewels aplenty. Lawrence added a playful twist with gems adorned in his beard, complementing his sheer shirt that glimmered with rose gold embellishments, an homage to the “Lover” era. Meanwhile, Larah expressed a similar sentiment but incorporated elements of the beloved “Lover” aesthetic, while Leslee highlighted accessories inspired by “Midnights.”
Chevonne Henry turned heads in a bold “T-Swizzle” jacket, creatively inspired by the hilarious “Thug Story” music video featuring Taylor Swift and T-Pain as part of “Saturday Night Live.” “I saw a girl dress up as this over a year ago, and it really inspired me,” she shared. “I knew I wanted to do it the second I saw it.”
Kari and Martin made a committed effort to attend the concert for the happiness of their two daughters, Gabriela and Natalia, investing significantly in resold tickets that cost them “an arm and two legs.” Their family arrived at the Rogers Centre, shimmering with excitement as Kari shone in a sequined jacket, Martin embraced the inner charm of “Lover,” and his daughters showcased their individualized styles influenced by different Swift albums.
Debbie and Sloan McIver managed to snag last-minute tickets to the show from a family friend, arriving in beautiful matching gold sequin dresses that perfectly echoed the “Fearless” vibe. “She’s just such a positive role model,” Debbie enthused, prompting Sloan to express her reason for admiration, saying, “she’s kind.”
Maya Charman and Valeria Flores struck up an instant friendship while waiting in line for the Eras Tour. They quickly bonded over their love for similar Swift outfits, both adorning pink cowboy hats purchased from a vendor at the stadium.
Charman opted for a striking all-black outfit inspired by the “Reputation” era while declaring it was the album that truly solidified her love for Swift. Flores embraced different eras, featuring elements of “Midnights,” “Tortured Poets,” and “Speak Now” in her ensemble.
Ciara Kilkenny undertook an impressive 11-hour road trip from Massachusetts to witness the concert, arriving with her self-created “Midnights”-themed outfit that attracted admiration. “It took me 60 hours to make this. I didn’t realize it was going to take that long, but I committed to it,” Kilkenny recalled, showcasing her dedication.
Megan Widawski, a Toronto local, had her tickets secured just hours before the show, but her style was already sorted with a “Lover”-inspired rose-washed denim jacket and heart-shaped glasses, reminiscent of a previous Swift concert in Portugal. “Lover is probably one of my top five albums, and I love pink,” she shared, her excitement palpable.
Cam Wilson and Liva Merick journeyed to Toronto from Port Dover to attend this unforgettable concert, demonstrating their unique styles that still coordinated flawlessly with the event’s theme. Wilson dazzled in a gold sequin dress paying homage to the “Fearless” era while integrating “Lover”-esque heart jewels in her hair. Meanwhile, Merick chose a cozy “Midnights”-inspired navy cardigan embellished with glittering stars, providing warmth against the chilly November evening.
What outfits are best for a Taylor Swift concert experience?
For dressing up: “I love Taylor’s music; it makes me feel happy and inspired.” The duo shared their excitement about finally seeing Swift live, adding a touch of magic to their night with their dazzling outfits.
As the crowd filled the Rogers Centre, it was clear that Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour was not just a concert but a celebration of shared memories, individual expression, and the deep community formed around her music. Every outfit told a story, reflecting the personal connection fans have with Swift’s diverse discography—an embodiment of love, creativity, and unwavering support for their favorite artist.
