Dua Lipa’s “Radical Optimism” tour kicked off in Australia in March, traveling through Europe, and arriving in North America this September. Accompanied by dancers, choreography, visuals, and specific outfits are set that have changed throughout the course of her tour.
Lipa has debuted new looks at her first stop in North America, in Toronto, updating her wardrobe with more opulent pieces. During each leg of her “Radical Optimism” tour, Lipa showed off five custom looks (one for each show Act), only keeping Act 4’s look in its place.
At her first concert in Toronto, Lipa opened the show with a metallic gold corset— an outfit change that pop fans would surely notice.
Previously, she had performed Act I wearing a satin corset by Jean Paul Gaultier. While both are elegant, Lipa trades crystals for gold, introducing a new color palette.
Similarly, Lipa upgrades her look for Act II as well. In Australia and Europe, she fashioned a lace Valentino catsuit in black, white, and red designs, styled with a black belt.
Upon arrival in North America, Lipa has hung up the full lace bodysuits. Instead, she’s opted for a new custom look by Gucci. She combines a sheer monogram bodysuit and gloves with a crystal-embellished bra and panties underneath.
So far, Lipa has completely replaced her first two tour looks. Her third look has been brought back from the first leg of the tour. However, previously, she wore this Chanel garment to close the show. Perhaps she’s brought it back because it took two months to create, and pays homage to an archival Chanel dress from 1992-1993.
Encore, First Leg. Act III, Current Leg
Before, she fashioned two versions of a mini dress from The Attico during Act III. Lipa wore both a black and pink version and a silver metallic version of the dress. The fringes danced along with Lipa during her upbeat and choreographed set.
Her Act IV Balenciaga look is the only one to remain consistent throughout both tour legs. Lipa has worn the Balenciaga slip dress in an array of colors, including red, white, and blue, adding a matching fur floor-length coat halfway through the set.
Since her encore look moved to Act III, Lipa debuted another gold bodysuit in Toronto. This one features chunky gold embellishments and bold gold jewelry.
While looking elegant in every style, Dua’s fashion evolution throughout the “Radical Optimism” tour has two noticeable trends. One, her outfits have become more opulent and dashing since her first leg of tour. For example, she has transitioned her looks from silver to gold (Act I) and added layers, dimension, and accessories (Act II).
Additionally, her current tour leg showcases a fashion evolution of its own. The order in which she wears each outfit during the concert is arguably arranged from least to most opulent. Both starting and ending with gold bodysuits, Lipa first wears a metallic lace-up corset without sparkle, while finishing wearing a gold bodysuit entirely covered by golden crystals, nearly becoming three-dimensional from the amount of bling. And right before, she flaunts a floor-length fur coat while levitating above the stage.
Not only has Lipa’s style evolved this year on tour, but she’s already woven through eras of her own, showcased by her fashion, becoming more polished each time.
On her 2022 “Future Nostalgia” tour, Lipa wore a variety of bright catsuits. While on her “Hotter Than Hell” tour in 2016, she wore casual bra and pant combinations and mini dresses. This shows how Lipa’s style evolved alongside Pop era fashion.
Each of her styles responded well to trends of the time, showing how Pop stars have evolved toward high fashion.
Why are Dua Lipa’s fashion choices so important? Perhaps, she’s creating a cohesive blend of elegant tour flicks and lavish vacation recaps on her social media feeds. Or maybe her replacement costumes were damaged. Maybe it’s all coincidental.
Or, are we entering a new era of Pop Showgirls?
Dua Lipa isn’t the only one embracing glamorous theatrical fashion. Taylor Swift’s upcoming album, “The Life of a Showgirl,” reminisces on Swift’s different eras as a “showgirl,” summarized by promotional pictures of Swift fashioning feathers, sparkling leotards, and headpieces, similar to the best of Dua Lipa’s “Radical Optimism” fashion.
So far, two of the world’s leading pop girlies have dressed as Showgirls— signaling an era shift, post-phenomena like The Eras Tour and Brat Summer.
Whether we’re passing through the next trend or Lipa and Swift are personifying their artistry, it’s clear that Pop is entering its golden age— and the Showgirls are dressed for the occasion.
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