So, you’ve learned how to make Taylor Swift bracelets (or bought some), planned out your outfit, and the day is finally here after months of planning. Then you realise you have no idea how to start trading with fellow Swifties!
Don’t panic, as it couldn’t be easier.
As you probably know, Swifties are a pretty friendly bunch. Even the shy ones are bound to be willing to trade with you.
The secret is to approach someone who’s wearing (or carrying) a lot of bracelets – they’re surely made for trading!
A simple “Hi, would you like to trade with me?” is all it takes.
We like to offer our bundle of bracelets for the person we’re trading with to choose their own, but some people prefer to pick one they think would go with that person’s outfit (or they only have certain ones they want to trade).
We also found that when a trade was going on, more Swifties would suddenly appear as if by magic. What we thought was going to be one quick trade would turn into 10! So, just sitting with a load of bracelets is sure to attract some fans looking for a trade!
If you’re exploring the city before the show, don’t forget to keep your bracelets with you as you’re sure to meet some fellow fans as you walk around. We traded when sitting outside Starbucks, visiting a museum, and at the airport, but most of our trades were made after having our tickets checked but before we took our seats, on the concourse around the stadium.
Trading at the concert is such a lovely experience, so even if you feel a little shy about approaching people, I’d recommend trying to overcome your fear and doing it anyway – you won’t regret it and you’ll come home with a bunch of cool new bracelets (and wonderful memories)! The worst they can do is say no thanks, but our experience was very positive and no one turned us away.
What If I Don’t Have Any Bracelets?
If you haven’t had time to buy or make any bracelets but don’t want to miss out on the fun, don’t worry! There are plenty of stories of fans going to the show with nothing and coming home with a wrist full of bracelets.
Some fans prefer to offer something else in return for bracelets, for example stickers or charms. If you don’t have anything, you might still find some kind fans willing to give you a bracelet without anything in exchange.
When we were at the Eras Tour, we gave away quite a few bracelets to people who complimented our outfits in the street, commented on how many bracelets we had (they were hanging from a bag on a carabiner) or just generally started chatting to us. So, strike up a conversation, be friendly, and you might get a bracelet in return.
Postal Trading
Trading by post is a great way to continue the fun after the show is over, or if you didn’t manage to attend in person. However, you can’t be sure that you will get bracelets in return, so prepare for that possibility.
There are often posts on Facebook of people looking to trade by post, so leave a comment if you’ve found someone in a suitable location to trade with. Some fans like to send surprise bracelets, whereas others might ask for your favourite albums, songs, or colours so they can pick something they think you’ll love.
You might also wish to agree on how many bracelets to trade (it makes the cost of posting more worthwhile if you send more than just one bracelet). If not, around 3-5 is a good amount to include. You can also pop in a sticker, postcard or any other small Taylor-themed items.
It’s a good idea to leave a note with your name inside the envelope too because a lot of people do several trades at once so they might not know if they’ve received yours!
Remember to put sufficient postage on your envelope before sending it. For those in the UK, a standard stamp is not usually enough for the thickness and weight of a few bracelets. Instead, you’ll need to use a large letter stamp. If in doubt, take your envelope to the Post Office to be measured.