The Economy of Bootleg Taylor Swift Concert Merchandise: T-Shirts and Bodysuits

Taylor Swift fans who are on the lookout to purchase merchandise such as T-shirts, bodysuits, and friendship bracelets showcasing their love for the pop star may be disappointed if they visit her official online store. In anticipation of the release of The Tortured Poets Department on April 19, the store has only been offering preorders for special-edition CDs, cassettes, and vinyl of the album. However, this hasn’t stopped the Swiftie economy from thriving, as numerous retailers have emerged on platforms like Etsy, Amazon.com, and Redbubble, offering a wide range of merchandise featuring Swift’s image and lyrics.

Fans often draw inspiration from Taylor Swift’s unique style, with some going to great lengths to recreate her iconic looks. Videos of concert-goers donning outfits similar to Swift’s bedazzled bodysuits from the Eras Tour have gained traction on TikTok, garnering hundreds of thousands of views. Furthermore, during the six-month period last year when Swift was on tour in the US, fans traded friendship bracelets as a way to commemorate the experience. Etsy reports that vendors selling these beaded trinkets made $3 million in sales during that timeframe.