21 June 2024 , 16:04
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Taylor Swift mania is in full swing as Swifties are uniting in every corner of the UK for her Eras tour - but there's one aspect of the coveted gigs that no-one is talking about.
It's become Swifty law to rock up to her concerts clad in glitzy sequins - the star even talks about "making the whole place shimmer" in her song Bejewelled - but this is likely having a devastating impact on the environment.
You're not a true Swiftie if you're not drenched in sequins, wearing cowboy boots and covered in butterflies and accessorised with little heart details. However, only the true Swifties will know that you can't just throw a sequined dress on. If you really want to show your true Taylor knowledge, you'll know there are different themes.
If you're a fan of the Lover Era, you'll be reaching for heart-shaped sunnies, fringed jackets and pastel colours. If you're more of a fan of the Fearless Era, you'd opt for gold mini-dresses and cowboy boots. Nevertheless, whatever era you're channelling, you will almost certainly be covered in sequins to shimmer your way through.
All fans will know sequins are the unofficial dresscode for Taylor's concerts (Adam Gerrard / Daily Mirror)
Swifties dressed for the occasion ready to watch her perform at Wembley (Adam Gerrard / Daily Mirror)A recent report from Barclays revealed that almost one in five (18 per cent) Swifties will be buying a new outfit especially for the occasion, with the average spend on an outfit being £56. Meanwhile, London research company Censuswide found in a 2019 study that British concertgoers wore about 7.5 million outfits only once for music events.
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However pretty sparkly outfits may look, our planet is not a fan. The glittering parade is leading to a glittering of guilt, as BusinessWaste.co.uk calculates that a staggering 3,519 tonnes of glitter have been used by all the fans attending the Eras Tour's UK dates.
Sequins simply don't biodegrade either, they break down physically into smaller pieces over centuries, but chemically, they're almost indestructible. They're made from polyethene terephthalate (PET), a microplastic. These plastic particles are potential toxins according to the experts at Business Waste, and they are "capable of leaching chemicals into our soil and water systems."
This can happen by just innocently washing a sequined dress, or getting rid of a glittery decoration. The microplastics end up in oceans and rivers - and sea creatures think they are food. "These microplastics can cause physical and chemical harm, disrupting aquatic ecosystems and potentially enter our food chain."
Fans all gathered outside Wembley stadium ready to watch the Era's Tour in London (Adam Gerrard / Daily Mirror)
Taylor is currently touring the UK as part of her Era's tour (Getty Images)Sustainability expert Graham Matthews from Business Waste said: "Celebrities like Taylor Swift have a huge influence and can advocate for change, promoting sustainable fan attire and partnering with manufacturers that prioritise eco-friendly materials.
"A simple comment or suggestion from someone with her power can completely change what people choose to wear at her concerts and make Swifties think of more sustainable outfits. The sparkle of glitter and sequins is undeniably enchanting, but it carries with it a responsibility to the planet that cannot be overlooked."
To help reduce this issue, experts say Swifties and other fashion lovers need to start taking sustainable outfits more seriously. Many biodegradable options can be used instead which will decompose quicker and much safer. Fans can even decorate already owned items of clothing such as denim. Meanwhile embroidery, as well as fabric paint or ion on appliques, can work to give your clothes a bit of a spruce up, making them perfect for the occasion.
Of course, many Swifties already dedicate hours to making their own bespoke concert outfits, as TikTok is flooded with clever hacks and tips on how to design your own Eras tour jackets, boots or hats. But experts warn these sustainable efforts are being hampered by the tsunami of sequins.
Graham said: "For concert-goers looking to make sustainable fashion choices, there are several things they can try. First, opt for outfits made from sustainable materials such as organic cotton, bamboo, or recycled fabrics that are less harmful to the environment.
"Another option is to go for second-hand or vintage clothing or even rent attire or accessories for a one-time event. This is another effective way to enjoy fashion responsibly without contributing to waste. Finally, try re-wearing outfits or creatively mixing previously owned outfits.
If you still want your sparkle, brands like the Sustainable Sequin Company sell eco-friendly sequins made from 20% recycled PET film which you can sew onto your outfits, making them a much more eco-friendly option. Alternatively Graham said: "People can still enjoy their sparkly outfits in a concert like Taylor's using biodegradable glitter made from natural materials like eucalyptus cellulose, which decomposes quickly and safely in the environment. If that is too tricky to find, other sustainable fabrics like organic cotton can also reduce the ecological footprint, and it’s a lot less toxic than glitter."
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If you do own sequined items, there are some ways you can try and keep it as eco-friendly as possible. One of these is to try to reduce washes to prevent microplastic release. Since recycling is not a viable option due to their composition and potential contamination, Graham suggested reusing them for other purposes, like crafts or decorations, which can help extend their usability. For biodegradable options, check if the local council offers industrial composting facilities that can process these materials.
Taylor fans are going all out with their outfits, and according to Dr Carolyn Mair a Cognitive Psychologist and global fashion business consultant, there is a psychological reason for it.
The Indy100 reported that customised looks can actually help us remember events and occasions. Dr Mair said that clothing can act as a memory device to specific experiences. "Because clothing plays a significant role in how we encode, retrieve, and relive memories, it provides a tangible link to past experiences and emotions and the stronger the emotion at the time of the experience, the easier it is to recall it. Nostalgic clothing activates memory and triggers bittersweet emotions which can reinforce a sense of identity, meaning and continuity."
Fans who create something customised can "enhance" their memories due to the "deep psychological (including sensory) and emotional connections formed in its creation" Dr Mair added.