As the peak season of touring, award shows, red carpets, and project drops quickly approaches, it’s important to highlight the industry-leading females that truly made a statement in the years leading up to now. With the pop industry evolving year after year, the fashion that comes with tour costumes and public appearances has no trouble keeping up with it. Let’s dive into some of the most iconic outfits that have made a lasting impact on the music industry, and put a spotlight on the women that brought them to life.
Ariana Grande
This year, the Met Gala did anything but disappoint, and so did Ariana Grande. For her descent down The Garden Of Time stairs of The Met, she wore a white strapless gown with a corset top that was covered in glistening mother-of-pearls. Near her eyes that accompanied her neutral makeup, she wore butterfly wings of the same gown color. Her classic high ponytail completed the look. Not only was Ariana’s look eye-catching, she was officially ruled the most visible attendee at the event. Her presence left such an impact at The Met Gala, and the public certainly knew it. With such an elegant and dainty look, it certainly shows that simplicity sometimes shines brighter!
Lady Gaga
When it comes to touring, Lady Gaga knows how to create a jaw-dropping appearance. Gaga’s costumes for her Chromatica Ball Tour were certainly show-stopping in every way. For one outfit in particular, she wore a purple and black latex bodysuit paired with a Chromatica-inspired headpiece and black boots. Performing with a headpiece of this size was definitely not only difficult, but a risk. Taking risks on stage when it comes to costumes is a choice, and Lady Gaga isn’t afraid to leave it all out on the floor.
Taylor Swift
Another pop queen that has been able to captivate her audience for over a decade is Taylor Swift. There is no doubt that her current world tour, The Era’s Tour, has made a significant impact on how much effort artists put into their costumes. At the same time, she has also made an impact on how much time her fans put into their own outfits for her shows. One specific costume that has really shined on tour is the 22 outfit. Taylor wears a white t-shirt with various lyrics or phrases each night, as well as a black top hat that has become an icon in itself. At the end of 22, Taylor hands off her hat to one lucky fan that was scouted out by Taylor Nation. It’s the most heartwarming moment of the entire night and for sure unforgettable. Although this costume wouldn’t be considered over-the-top, its impact on fans and the relationship she has with them holds more weight than any fancy costume could do.
I’ve seen firsthand how not only Taylor’s tour outfits, but her song lyrics and albums have made such a serious influence on fans that attend her shows. The costumes her fans come up with have taken creativity and dedication to the next level, and it’s beyond inspiring to see. How one artist can give thousands of people the confidence to hand-make their own outfits and show up in rhinestones, friendship bracelets, and glitter from head to toe is absolutely legendary. Taylor bridged a gap that no one knew was necessary to bring together. She has allowed her fans into her world and shared her creative space with them, and it has opened the door for endless possibilities for both the present and future.
Miley Cyrus
One of the most shocking, yet monumental moments of this generation when it comes to a pop icon on stage, was Miley Cyrus during her Bangerz era. The 2014 Bangerz Tour is important to highlight because Miley was the first in her generation of pop idols to make a drastic change in appearance. Her costumes were revealing, extremely risque, and the complete opposite of the Disney era she had made her career debut in. Miley set the stage for any female in the business that wants to breakaway from a persona they were given to play, but don’t necessarily fit into it in reality. Although not every female popstar has to go the rated-R route, the shift she created in her career stands as one of the most impactful for her generation of pop music.
It’s no secret that there are countless females in pop music that have really paved their own path and for others in the industry at the same time. Their fashion choices both on stage and down the carpet have set statements that will be remembered for generations to come. Tour costumes, red carpet styles, and award show looks come and go, but their impact lasts forever.
ROARA Magazine 