Music and fashion are somewhat inseparable. From the designers musicians partner with to create their costumes for tour to a musician’s everyday style that helps to reflect their inspiration for their music.

Story by Ryan Wellman and Kennedy Williams

As touring becomes the primary method of making money for artists, especially those who are independent, tour merchandise is increasingly important. Today, listeners and concert-goers do not want standard tees to commemorate their concert experiences. Tour merch has become an extension of artists’ multimedia experiences and an artistic vision that fans incorporate into their daily style.

Brockhampton

The hottest new boy band on the rise, Brockhampton released a lookbook in which band members sport their newest line of merch. The collection consists of fun and bold graphic tees and other accessories that reflect the high energy and themes in the music. Most of the collection sold out the day it was released but certain items were restocked. Keep a lookout on Brockhampton’s online store.

Photos courtesy of Brockhampton

Solange

When it comes to having artistic merch, it is no surprise that Solange, queen of aesthetics, comes through with Saint Heron. Self-described as a community with a “mission to celebrate diversity, culture, and the innovation of artists of color,” the shop presents a group of artists working to create products that “empower and inspire the community.” It features a wide array of products from art to apothecary which are both pleasing to the eye and to the soul.

Photo courtesy of Saint Heron

Haim

The stylin’ sisters of Haim often sport their merch on social media, usually pairing their shirts with high-waisted jeans and leather skirts in aesthetic locales around their hometown of Los Angeles. The graphics on their merch are always fun with a retro vibe, reflecting their personal style and the vibes of their music. In November, Haim also released a special line of holiday merch featuring puns like “Happy Haimukkah” and “It’s the Most Wonderful Haim of the Year.”

Photos courtesy of Haim

The 1975

Few artists have iconography as memorable as Manchester’s The 1975. The band’s chosen “logo” of sorts, the rectangle, is synonymous with the group. While the rectangle has been a mainstay on the band’s merch, other designs on the garments have evolved with the band’s music. Between their first and second albums, The 1975 transitioned from their “black and white era” to their “pink era,” in which their music and style became brighter and more whimsical. The merch followed this evolution, as light pink colored t-shirts with floral touches replaced minimal black and white designs. The merch allows their fans to be as effortlessly cool as the band.

Photos courtesy of The 1975

Tyler, The Creator

Tyler, The Creator has never been afraid of color and his merch is as vivid as his personality. The flowerboy’s merch is a direct reflection of his laid back West Coast style with a preppy edge. The designs of Tyler’s merch are always vibrant, providing crisp updates to the classics. Last year, Tyler’s initial collaboration with Converse was released, aligning him with a legacy of rappers having their own sneakers. But, like with everything he creates, Tyler made Converse all his own, swapping out the storied star logo for a retro yet fresh “le flour” graphic.

Photos courtesy of Tyler, The Creator

Top Dawg Entertainment (TDE)

For the artists on the roster of TDE, namely Kendrick Lamar, SZA, Schoolboy Q, Jay Rock, Ab Soul, Isaiah Rashad, SiR, and Lance Skiiiwalker, merch is not just something for fans to wear but clothes that reflect the vibe of their music. Each artist on TDE has built an authentic relationship with their fans based on their relatable personalities. The collection of TDE merchandise is made up of wearable casual pieces that the wearer can sport in different settings, perhaps even when training for a tour.

Photos courtesy of Top Dawg Entertainment