The Daily Dot
As Swifties call out a decline in quality, an apparel designer explains why Tay…
"I stopped buying merch because of it."
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Apparel Educator Critiques Taylor Swift's Merch Quality and Production Practices
An apparel educator has publicly critiqued the quality of Taylor Swift's official merchandise, particularly her popular cardigans. Mallory Brooks, an apparel designer, explained in a recent video that all of Swift's merchandise is produced by Bravado, a company under Universal Music Group, which manages merch for a wide array of artists. Brooks highlighted concerns regarding the materials used, noting that early cardigans were made from 50% acrylic and 50% polyester. She stated, "It's pretty much one of the worst blends and fibers you can have on a sweater." These synthetic fibers are non-renewable, shed microplastics, and do not biodegrade for hundreds of years. Later cardigans saw a shift in composition to include nylon and PBT, which are slightly more durable but still synthetic and contribute to environmental issues. Brooks pointed out that despite these material choices, prices for the cardigans increased from $49 to $70 over time. She observed that many fans, known as 'Swifties,' purchase the cardigans as collector's items rather than for wear. Brooks argued, "You're giving them the feedback that you like it. So they're going to keep making it." This consumer behavior, she suggested, might inadvertently discourage improvements in product quality.
