POPSUGAR UK

How My Love of Music Translates Into the Perfect and Most Inspiring Loungewear

16/05/2020 - 09:03 PM

I've always relished in the power of self-expressive fashion. Before social distancing and self-isolation, piecing together an outfit was my favourite morning task. That being said, when we started staying home, I enjoyed languidly rotating through my collection of hoodies and sweatpants, if only for the convenience factor. But, after a while, that began to lose its luster and even take a toll on my energy levels at work. Writer's block reared its ugly head more times than usual, and it became a bit harder for me to stay focussed [1]. That's when I found myself gravitating toward band tees and tour merch.

To give my solid-colour hoodies a wide berth, I rummaged through my clothes for something cute, comfy, and energizing. Lo and behold, I extricated a Jimi Hendrix tee that I bought months ago but hadn't worn yet. After even more digging, I found another shirt with the Voodoo Child printed on the front, as well as a Beyoncé crop tee and a Brockhampton sweatshirt.

It's quite surprising how these pieces fell by the wayside considering music is my lifeline. One of my bedroom walls is plastered with two giant posters of Jimi rocking out and Kendrick Lamar basking in his "I am the greatest rapper alive" [3] glory. I've been teaching myself how to play guitar and the keyboard, as well as throwing Prince-themed dance parties with my roommate. So how did I forget about the small joy of wearing artist-inspired apparel? I'm not sure, but I can tell you that once I started wearing the musical threads, my spirits were instantly lifted.

We don't know when life will return to normal — or if things will ever be the same as pre-COVID-19 — but music will always be an unfailing morale-booster and unifying force, whether it's through a playlist or an outfit of the day.

I don't know the psychology behind this, but perhaps wearing band tees and tour merch has helped me because it's an extension of music's escapism. On days when I feel fatigued by the state of the world, tunes like Jimi's "Spanish Castle Magic," Beyoncé and Kendrick's "Nile," and Bill Withers's "Lean on Me" have provided great relief. Dua Lipa's album Future Nostalgia and Jessie Reyez's Before Love Came to Kill Us have also powered me through some of the most dreary days. So maybe sporting a shirt that features Queen Bey stunting in a corset with gold chains, drop earrings, and a pair of shades just strengthens that sense of interconnectivity (while spotlighting Beyonce's incredible style [4]). And, conceivably, throwing on a shirt that immortalizes Jimi's signature peace sign lets me imagine for a second that all is well.

We don't know when life will return to normal — or if things will ever be the way they were pre-COVID-19 — but music will always be an unfailing morale-booster and unifying force, whether it's through a playlist or an outfit of the day. And until we're able to gather under one roof and jam out at our favourite artists' live concerts, wearing their merch and supporting their businesses in any way possible — especially those of independent artists [5] — will suffice. Ahead, see which artists I've personally kept on heavy repeat during this time, and shop their merch!

The Look

The Look

Shop the Exact Look

Beyoncé Lace & Leather Crop Tee [7] ($40)

Shop More Beyoncé Merchandise

BeySearch Crop Top [8] ($55)

Shop Jimi Hendrix Merchandise

Jimi Hendrix Short Sleeve Boyfriend Graphic T-Shirt [9] ($15)

Shop Prince Merchandise

Purple Rain Live T-Shirt [10] ($40)

Shop Ariana Grande Merchandise

Ariana Grande Live in Concert Tie-Dye Crewneck [11] ($70)

Shop Lizzo Merchandise

Lizzo T-Shirt [12] ($30)

Shop Dua Lipa Merchandise

Dua Lipa Physical Lean Back Tee [13] ($25)

Shop Demi Lovato Merchandise

Demi Lovato I Love Me Tie-Dye Hoodie [14] ($60)

Shop Billie Eilish Merchandise

Billie Eilish Stay Home Tour T-Shirt [15] ($35)

Shop Normani Merchandise

Normani Boxed Tour T-Shirt [16] ($30)

Shop Jonas Brothers Merchandise

What a Man Gotta Do Tee [17] ($22)

Shop Lady Gaga Merchandise

Lady Gaga Chromatica Cover T-Shirt [18] ($35)

Shop Chloe x Halle Merchandise

Chloe x Halle Album Crop Tee [19] ($24, originally $30)

Shop The 1975 Merchandise

ABIIOR Photo T-Shirt [20] ($35)

Shop Jessie Reyez Merchandise

Before Love Came to Kill Us T-Shirt [21] ($35)

Shop Jhené Aiko Merchandise

Chilombo Lotus T-Shirt [22] ($40)

Shop The Rolling Stones Merchandise

Living in a Ghost Town T-Shirt [23] ($35)

Shop Doja Cat Merchandise

Doja Cat Hot Pink Photo Long Sleeve Shirt [24] ($40)

Shop Anderson .Paak Merchandise

Anderson .Paak Multi T-Shirt [25] ($35)

Shop Harry Styles Merchandise

Harry Styles Do You Know Who You Are Tee [26] ($40)

Shop Kiana Ledé Merchandise

KiKi Photo T-Shirt [27] ($35)

Shop Fiona Apple Merchandise

Fetch the Bolt Cutters Crewneck [28] ($55)

Shop Lana Del Rey Merchandise

Lana Del Rey Bloom Cropped Tank [29] ($50)

Shop Queen Merchandise

Queen South America Live '81 T-Shirt [30] ($27)

Shop The Strokes Merchandise

The New Abnormal Jean-Michel Basquiat Bird on Money Print Tee [31] ($45)

Shop Earthgang Merchandise

Earthgang The Power Is Yours Tee [32] ($30)

Shop Arctic Monkeys Merchandise

Arctic Monkeys Classic Logo White T-Shirt [33] ($25)

Shop Rosalía Merchandise

Rosalía White Photo Hoodie [34] ($65)

Shop Florence + the Machine Merchandise

Florence + the Machine White Rabbit Tee [35] ($38)

Shop The Black Keys Merchandise

The Black Keys Electric Chair T-Shirt [36] ($35)

Shop Tame Impala Merchandise

Tame Impala Luca Schenardi T-Shirt [37] ($30)

Shop FKA Twigs Merchandise

Magdalene Divine Confidence White Hoodie [38] ($65)

Shop Vérité Merchandise

Vérité Photo Tee [39] ($25)

Shop Ohmme Merchandise

Ohmme Alter Ego L/S Shirt [40] ($30)

Shop Léon Merchandise

Léon Hoodie [41] ($55)

Shop Jacob Banks Merchandise

Jacob Banks JB Village As Told By Pullover Hoodie [42] ($50)

Shop Yolk Lore Merchandise

Yoke Lore Meditations Sweatshirt [43] ($35)


Source URL
https://www.popsugar.co.uk/fashion/band-tees-and-concert-tour-merchandise-style-47479775