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Taylor Swift Style 2011-2018
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The Eras Tour | The Tortured Poets Department section | Version 2

Vivienne Westwood custom

Taylor first debuted the Tortured Poets section when she kicked off the European leg of the Eras Tour in Paris. I had wondered aloud when/if we would see alternate versions of this dress with other TTPD lyrics scrawled across it. It was particularly top of mind for me given that, at the time, we had four versions of Tortured Poets (The Manuscript, The Bolter, The Albatross, and The Black Dog) and four nights in Paris. 

Now we have an answer! A new version of Taylor’s corseted Vivienne Westwood dress debuted during Milan 1. This second version features lyrics from “Who’s Afraid Of Little Old Me?”. I personally love the effect of the words strewn across this costume, akin to ripped out diary pages meant to be discarded but instead worn with a daring defiance for all to look at. In a way, that’s exactly how I feel about Tortured Poets as an album: A compilation of songs from a chapter in her life she could have buried but that she needed to exhume for everyone to see and know. 

Looking closely, I couldn’t help but notice a difference between the application processes of the lyrics on Versions 1 and 2 to the recycled taffeta used as the base for the dress. On the original version, the lyrics are delicately transcribed in a thin, calligraphic hand and some neatly aligned sections. On Version 2, the lyrics are larger and cover more area of the dress as well as featuring an almost pointillism effect between strokes that sort of bears similarity to the beads on a friendship bracelet. 

Photo by Vittorio Zunino Celotto/TAS24 via Getty Images

The Eras Tour | Fearless section | Version 5

Roberto Cavalli custom

My very first thought upon seeing this dress was, “Oh that’s very Roberto Cavalli.” Which makes all the sense in the world why Taylor would want to time a new Cavalli creation (by Creative Director Fausto Puglisi) in Milan - one of the fashion capitals of the world and home country to both Cavalli and Puglisi.

Roberto Cavalli is known for many of its signature house code prints, like those of big cats. We see that reference in other Fausto-created pieces for Taylor on the Eras Tour such as the cat head emblem on the tops of the 1989 2.0 sets.

On this new Fearless dress, we see another classic print come to life: Roberto Cavalli’s iconic ‘Ray of Gold’ print. ‘Ray Of Gold’ was first introduced by the designer in 2007 and revived and recreated by Puglisi for a limited capsule collection in 2024. The original inspiration source for Cavalli was the beautiful refraction of a sunbeam on the golden facade of an art deco lighter. To me, the fan-like visual calls to mind the windblown hair toss of the Fearless cover albums.

After recreating the 'Ray of Gold’ print, Roberto Cavalli CEO Sergio Azzolari told WWD that Fausto is “very respectful of Roberto, yet at the same time he succeeds in reinterpreting his style in a more contemporary way, without distorting the brand.”

There’s something refracting light meets lionfish meets Flintstones meets sand through an hourglass meets animal print about this look. Which is to say I think it looks fantastic and eye-catching. However, I personally find Versions 1 and 4 come closest to honouring the original aesthetic of the Fearless era. Your thoughts?

Photo by Vittorio Zunino Celotto/TAS24 via Getty Images

The Eras Tour | The Tortured Poets Department section

Paula Rowan ‘Aida Glove’ - $213.00

Many may have noticed a recent accessory addition to the Tortured Poets costuming on the Eras Tour: a sleek pair of triple dart leather gloves.

The addition comes as a functional fix to combat chilly temperatures on this particular stretch of dates in the United Kingdom. For backstory, the gloves were introduced after Taylor’s first show in Edinburgh, Scotland. During the acoustic section, a portion that immediately follows the Tortured Poets set, Taylor experienced a hand cramp when trying to play guitar. That night, winds and cold weather likely made playing her instrument so deep into the three hour show a little challenging (to say the least).

It’s an added delight to note this credit ahead of Taylor’s dates in Dublin, Ireland because Paula Rowan happens to be an Irish designer. Rowan’s work has not only been featured in many magazine spreads (including Vogue and Wall Street Journal) but her gloves have also been worn on stage before - most prominently for Lady Gaga’s Chromatica Ball.

Of Taylor wearing her gloves, Rowan told Image magazine, “Taylor Swift is known for her strength and confidence as well as her ability to constantly transform and evolve. For all of those reasons, I am delighted that she chose my gloves to wear.“

She added, ”[Taylor’s] style has evolved over her career and she uses both her lyrics and her outfits to communicate and to craft a story so I am honoured to be a part of that narrative.” How very TAYLOR SWIFT STYLE: FASHION THROUGH THE ERAS of her! I couldn’t agree more.

Taylor also has a sparkly black pair to coordinate with her darker Vivienne Westwood ensembles. While they were definitely brought in as a primarily functional role, I think the gloves add so much to Taylor’s ensemble and also tie in to the Victorian fashion from the “Fortnight” video. Don’t you think?

Photo by Gareth Cattermole/TAS24 via Getty Images

Out and about | London, England | June 23, 2024

Gucci ‘Horsebit Slide Sandals’ - $920.00 (similar is linked)

This brand combination is a great nod to her Style Pillars - the high/low. Mixing a designer piece (particularly an older, repeated one that she first wore back in 2019 in the “You Need To Calm Down” music video) with a newer, ‘accessible’ piece is a key part of what keeps Taylor’s style relatable and interesting for fans.

Worn with: VRG GRL dress and Stella McCartney bag

Out and about | London, England | June 23, 2024

Stella McCartney ‘Falabella Bucket Bag’ - $1,225.00

On the styling front, loose waves feel right for the outfit. I appreciate the consistent aesthetic and tonal tie-in from her accessories straight to the coloured stripes of her crocheted dress via her buttery yellow Gucci slides and a brown Stella bag.

Worn with: VRG GRL dress and Gucci shoes

Out and about | London, England | June 23, 2024

VRG GRL ‘Myra Crochet Mini Dress’ - $119.00

Ever inexhaustible, Taylor finished her three show stint at Wembley last night (she’s set to return there for five more Eras shows in August) and proceeded to head straight from the stage and out into London to celebrate.

Taylor’s not a stranger to ‘boho’ styles like this - but it has been awhile since we’ve seen her give a bell sleeve dress a go. Over the years, she’s worn many loose minis in this silhouette (Fashion History incoming on that). This particular one is more mod than most thanks to its retro colour palette and crocheted fabrication.

In truth, it feels a bit closer to where I anticipated Midnights fashion to land - flipping between ultraglam pinup looks and rock/boho ensembles in the vein of Stevie Nicks with a side of patchouli incense. But could I imagine strapping myself into a TTPD-appropriate bustier top and mini skirt after being on stage for three hours? In that context, I’d also be opting for a loose, swingy dress (or pajamas, let’s be real).

The dress itself is from a new-to-her Australian-based brand VRG GRL who’s been around since 2008 and donate 10% of their proceeds to charities the founders handpick.

Worn with: Stella McCartney bag and Gucci shoes

On stage at Eras Tour | London, England | June 23, 2024

Tiffany & Co ‘Diamond Wire Ring’ - $2,675.00

The Eras Tour costuming has been unique in many ways but one that I’ve noted specifically is the care Taylor has taken when it comes to accessorizing over the course of her three hour set. There are dedicated necklaces worn during the Lover set to coordinate with a particular bodysuit. She wears a 'RED’ merch replica of her Cathy Waterman 'LOVE’ ring during the RED set. These are obvious bits of costuming that take the immersion of the show into that time period’s era that one step further - because details matter.

Taylor doesn’t typically wear personal pieces on the stage, though that’s changed somewhat since last summer when she added a few new lobe piercings to her ears and she’s since opted to wear her own earrings on the stage. But my eye happened to catch a new addition to her ring stack on Night 3 in London with what appears to be a T&Co ring. The 'wire’ design is iconic from the Tiffany’s T collection and, of course, features two T’s mirroring one another.

Photo by Gareth Cattermole via Getty Images

Out and about | New York City, NY | November 13, 2023

Alaïa ‘Curved Seam Detailed Skater Dress’ - $3,493.00

Taylor and Gracie were on fire (creatively and literally) this evening. Following a dinner out, the two of them returned to Taylor’s NYC apartment to co-write Gracie’s new song “us.” into the wee hour s of the morning. The songwriting session culminated in a slight fire emergency when a wayward cat tipped a candle over and started a small fire. Thanks to personal videos ℅ Gracie from this evening, I can now confirm that Taylor not only knows how to use a fire extinguisher but that she can do so while wearing a crisp white Alaïa dress.

You may in fact recognize this particular dress because Taylor has also worn it in black - albeit styled very differently. Here, with a boxy navy peacoat and platform loafers the dress takes on a crisp, schoolgirl uniform-in-fall/winter effect.

Worn with: Gant coat, YSL bag, Mazin Jewels ring, and Sézane loafers

Get the look: J. Crew

Photo by Gotham via Getty Images

Out and about | London, England | June 11, 2024

Gucci ‘Signoria Slingback Pump’ - $1,150.00

I’m of course always going to be a supportive of a minimalist strappy heel, especially in a ravishing shade like this that also gets its own sandwich style moment with the Gucci bag Taylor also carried.

Worn with: Stella McCartney coat + bustier + pants, Lorraine Schwartz necklace, and Gucci bag

Illustration by Amelia Noyes

Out and about | London, England | June 11, 2024

Gucci ‘Jackie Notte Mini Bag’ - $3,980.00

While I must of course +1 the sandwich styling of rouge accessories by Gucci between her bag and shoes the accessory I’m sure most are hung up on is that Lorraine Schwartz choker.

Taylor introduced this during the 2024 Grammys, the night she announced TTPD as she was receiving an award for Midnights. The item merges two key aspects of their respective eras - time as a thematic concept and a nod to Victorian fashion - in a way that feels appropriate to the whiplash of TTPD. Perhaps more than any other era, I dwell a lot on the abruptness of TTPD and how swiftly it careened into our lives. While amongst her musical peers, she chose to turn a night about celebrating the industry at large (and a previous body of her own work) into a personal launchpad for new music. 

I think what defines TTPD, inherently, is its disruptive quality. This album and its songs are what they are because of the nature of events that upended her world. Its rollout, in correlation, has been equally as vertiginous. 

So what does it mean to bring this key accessory back? A new TTPD music video is my top guess. But perhaps we’ll know for sure in Liverpool tomorrow night!

Worn with: Stella McCartney coat + bustier + pants, Lorraine Schwartz necklace, and Gucci heels

Illustration by Amelia Noyes

Out and about | London, England | June 11, 2024

Stella McCartney ‘Pinstripe Wool Coat’ - $2,200.00

The angular way her pinstripe coat falls reminds me of the Westwood jacket she wears during “I Can Do It With A Broken Heart”. The single button, sharp lapels, and curved hem seem to mimic the high/low shape of that jacket. If intentional, it’s a great way to bridge fashion and connect her street style with her stage style.

Worn with: Stella McCartney bustier + pants, Lorraine Schwartz necklace, Gucci bag, and Gucci heels

Illustration by Amelia Noyes

Out and about | London, England | June 11, 2024

Stella McCartney ‘Lace Up Jacquard Bustier Top’ - $1,775.00

Opting for Stella McCartney pieces while out to dinner with the designer and in said designer’s home city makes sense to me. The fact that she’d opt for something dark, sensuous, feminine, and with bustier / lingerie vibes feel on par for Poets fashion.

Worn with: Stella McCartney coat + pants, Lorraine Schwartz necklace, Gucci bag, and Gucci heels

Illustration by Amelia Noyes

Out and about | London, England | June 11, 2024

Stella McCartney Resort 2024

During the North American leg of the Eras Tour last summer, Taylor often returned to her home base in NYC. Now on the European leg of Eras, I had been wondering when we’d see her pop in London. The days ahead of her U.K. dates seemed like a fitting time as any. And oh is she saying things with this ensemble. 

Opting for Stella McCartney pieces while out to dinner with the designer and in said designer’s home city makes sense to me. The fact that she’d opt for something dark, sensuous, feminine, and with bustier / lingerie vibes feel on par for Poets fashion.

Though I think opting for either the bustier or the pants would have been great, who am I to deny Taylor a matching set moment - as was originally styled in the SM Resort 24 collection.

Worn with: Stella McCartney coat + bustier, Lorraine Schwartz necklace, Gucci bag, and Gucci heels

Illustration by Amelia Noyes

The Eras Tour | folkmore Section

Alberta Ferretti custom

When the folklore and evermore sets combined into one, Taylor introduced a few other smaller changes to the costuming. These changes feel like a proper ‘blending’ of the Eras.

For instance, she swapped her delicate folklore ballet flats for a pair of heeled lace up Christian Louboutin boots more similar to the ones she would wear during the previous solo evermore set.

Likewise, she upgraded her bottle green velvet evermore cape (previously custom by Etro who designed both versions of her evermore dresses) to a rich, chocolate brown one by Alberta Ferretti who has been responsible for all of her folklore gown variants.

Alberta Ferretti also provided the costumes for her dancers during this set, though their versions of the capes do not include Taylor’s embellished trim down the front and on the edges of the hood.

Kit Kat Club at the Playhouse Theatre | London, England | May 31, 2024

Stella McCartney ‘Oversized Knit Sweater with Fringe Hem’ - $1,690.00 (sold out)

In support of her friend Cara Delevingne, Taylor made an appearance at a London theatre to watch her play Sally Bowles in Cabaret. Cara’s been in the role since March of this year and it’s so nice that Taylor finally had an opportunity to support her in person.

Taylor opted for a very cozy knit by one of her favourite British designers, Stella McCartney.

The knit dress is from Stella’s AW 2024 collection and its ruffled hem is meant to be inspired by fluffy feathers but of course in keeping with their ethos on animal cruelty, the effect is to mimic and not use the actual material.