Chris Harrington, owner of Kansas City boutique Westside Storey, got a text from a friend in the mid-afternoon on Sunday. It was made up of just two words: “You’re famous.”
Confusion set in for Harrington, who spoke to For The Win by phone on Sunday evening. “I was like, ‘What are you talking about?'” While he waited for his buddy to elaborate, the three dots that indicate typing just hovering on the screen, Harrington’s girlfriend bounded into the room.
“Oh my God! Taylor’s wearing your sweatshirt!” she exclaimed.
Yes, that Taylor Swift.
For Sunday afternoon’s matchup between the Chiefs and the Buffalo Bills at Arrowhead Stadium, Swift arrived in one of Westside Storey’s vintage tops with a black skirt and a black overcoat.
The mega pop star (or more likely her team) placed an order from the boutique for five vintage sweatshirts in late October, but Harrington had no idea when she might wear one. The first opportunity since the order and her return from tour — last week’s matchup against the Packers — came and went with no luck.
“We were kind of let down last week,” Harrington said of the Green Bay game. “Each week we hold our breath and hope that she might be wearing one of them.”
@westsidestorey Taylor Swift spotted wearing a vintage chiefs sweatshirt that we packaged! we’re freaking out 🤯
A TikTok posted by the boutique showed the five sweatshirts packed for Swift, plus a bonus tee shirt that reads “who is Travis Kelce anyway,” a play on a line from her song “22.”
Westside Storey is now experiencing what has been dubbed “The Taylor Effect,” seeing site views and sales skyrocket since she was seen in the sweatshirt.
Harrington knew Monday morning would be a bear with the added online orders, but he knows this is a huge opportunity for his 10-year-old store. “I hope it continues,” Harrington said. “We’re going to ride the wave as much as we can.”
