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Taylor Swift Style 2011-2018
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The Eras Tour | The Tortured Poets Department section | Version 3

Vivienne Westwood custom
Christian Louboutin custom

In my predictions post for TTPD costuming on the TSS Patreon I had guessed that lingerie might play a theme, based primarily on the album’s official visuals as well as the ways physical intimacy is portrayed across the album. Noting, “While I don’t necessarily expect a Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show (Taylor’s Version) I also wouldn’t be surprised if … lingerie-like pieces make its way into her [TTPD] wardrobe.” This metallic bustier and hot pant set by #VivienneWestwood is around what I was expecting but as with a lot of things within the #TTPD set, it comes with a dose of bitterness. 

For her final number in the TTPD set, Taylor gives a rousing theatrical performance of “I Can Do It With A Broken Heart”. It’s thoroughly entertaining. It’s sardonically meta. It’s theatrical sarcasm.

The addition of the coat and tails reminds me a lot of her very famous ringleader costume from the original RED Era. Just as much as it did then, it feels like Taylor acknowledging the figurative circus that surrounds her celebrity and how, whether masterminding arbiter or unwilling performative participant, she is at the center of it. 

Full review of the TTPD set to come on the TSS Patreon! 

Photo by Kevin Mazur/TAS24 via Getty Images

The Eras Tour | 1989 section | Version 5

Roberto Cavalli custom
Christian Louboutin custom

One of the signature elements of the Eras Tour costuming has been how it balances visually referencing eras past but refreshing them for the modern day. Her co-ordinating tops and skirts worn for the 1989 section are a great example. The previous quad of beaded ensembles (pink, gree[eeeee]n, orange, and blue) all featured colours and coordination that embodied the polish and shine of the original 1989 era but in a new, fitted skirt silhouette.

With Version 5 by Fausto Puglisi for Roberto Cavalli we see a lot of changes in tactic. From the ombre shading, the skater skirt fit, the incorporation of the Cavalli big cat emblem at the bust, and the two tone element. To me it all falls much closer to the original costuming of the 1989 Tour with bralettes and metallic skater skirts by Jessica Jones. Many of the new outfits debuted in Paris seem to have undergone what I call a ‘makeunder’ to more closely resemble their original, canonical tour ensembles and not the refreshed 'Taylor Versions’ we’ve seen thus far on the Eras Tour in 2023/24.

Unless this is Taylor’s cheeky attempt at an Alvin and the Chipmunks meme replication I’m a bit stumped on the decision to go cotton candy two tone across this entire outfit - mismatched Louboutins included. My only thought is there is one very famous New Yorker known for mismatching her Louboutins which would be an apt 1989 era reference if intentional: Carrie Bradshaw.

Photo by Kevin Mazur/TAS24 via Getty Images

The Eras Tour | RED section | Version 4

Ashish Sequin Tee - custom

During the RED set I wasn’t just confused because it was the first set to have moved from its original spot in the setlist, but Taylor’s new shirt saying took me aback.

Firstly, we haven’t had a new addition costume-wise to this set since the early days of the tour. You might recall that Version 3 of the shirt (featuring “We Are Never Ever” lyrics) was added in March 2023 during the show’s first three-day run in Arlington, Texas.

This phrase also took me aback because it’s our first in the series that isn’t a direct callback to an established moment within the RED era lexicon. In addition to the aforementioned V3’s lyrics, Version 1 (“Not A Lot Going On”) is a direct lift from the “22” music video costuming and Version 2 also features “22” lyrics (“Who’s Taylor Swift Anyway? Ew.”).

So what does this particular phrase mean?

To me one of the key functions of the Eras Tour, especially in the form of its costuming, has been toeing the line between referencing eras of the past while also giving them a slightly refreshed, modern facelift. We saw that in the fringed dresses of Fearless, the dramatic princess ballgowns of Speak Now, and the matching sets of 1989. But as we also saw tonight in Paris, all of those respective outfits got what I suppose we could call a ‘makeunder’. Which is to say, they all took a time machine to more closely resemble their original, canonical tour ensembles and not the refreshed 'Taylor Versions’ we’ve seen thus far on the Eras Tour in 2023/24.

But why is she now beginning to more overtly replicate instead of subtly reference? Something to think about!

Worn with: Gladys Tamez hat, Ashish bodysuit, and Christian Louboutin oxfords

Photo by Kevin Mazur/TAS24 via Getty Images

#ForAFortnightChallenge | April 25, 2024

Popflex ‘Corset Bra’ - $44.00

#ForAFortnight Challenge | April 19, 2024

Rumored ‘Be Mine Top’ - $42.00

Worn with: Popflex skirt

#ForAFortnight Challenge | April 19, 2024

Rumored ‘Be Mine Top’ - $42.00

Layers of classic Taylor style on display here. Firstly, we have the “if I like it I’ll just buy it in a different colour” sentiment as Taylor has this top not only in black but also white. Secondly, I feel reasonably assured she was charmed by the style name of the top here.

From a behind-the-scenes perspective, based on the same top and jewels present here I feel like this is some sweet insight into why she was making only a virtual appearance at the iHearts back in April.

Worn with: Tilly Sveaas necklace and Jacquie Aiche earrings

“Fortnight” music video | April 19, 2024

Vivienne Westwood ‘Frill Shirt’ - €590.00

I’ve thought a lot about the colour palette of the world that Taylor has created with Poets and how it’s one of the most distinguishable things about the Tortured aesthetic we’ve seen so far. Enough so that it’s usurped her beloved (and endearingly noted ‘fuckass’) Olympus yellow candid filter with a drained out world to paint all of her latest social media posts with. To me there’s a lot to wade through there when it comes to black like grief or the poetry of Dickinson-esque shades of white and subsequently all the shades of grey the album itself covers. 

But what a delight it is to see a Vivienne Westwood piece on Taylor! I know many of us briefly thought both of the white gowns she’s worn recently were by her so it’s great to see her finally in her wares. This particular long shirt is from the mens line.  

#ForAFortnight Challenge | April 19, 2024

Desmond & Dempsey ‘Tiger Print Pyjama Set’ - $200.00

#ForAFortnight Challenge | April 19, 2024

Frankie Collective ‘Vintage Kansas University Sweatshirt’ - $65.00

I couldn’t help but smile because this feels so classic Taylor to release a personal montage of home clips giving us (scant) insight into the moments of her life beyond the music. The other day I was remarking how her candid appearances of late have felt like a subtle reminder to us all that the life she’s documented in The Tortured Poets Department was indeed from but a “fleeting and fatalistic moment in time”. No less tragic and vivid and real, but clips like this not only harken back to me of MySpace days with home footage cut into vlogs form the road but that also serve as a note that she’s cultivated a beautiful life from the ashes that the Department left her with.

Out and about | Malibu, CA | March 24, 2024

Khaite ‘Diletta Cashmere Sweater’ - $1,100.00

I personally love the combination of pieces - especially the spring-like temperature combination of light sweater + short skirt. Plus that shade of pastel blue is v on trend atm. Though for a personal copy + paste, I’d opt for a burgundy or black sweater as a moody tone / dark neutrals kind of girl.

All in - it sure is just nice to see her isn’t it?

Worn with: Joseph Duclos bag, Sandy Liang skort, and Reformation loafers

Get the look: Fate, $72.32

Illustration by Amelia Noyes

Backstage at Eras Tour w/ Blackpink | Singapore | March 3, 2024

Anine Bing ‘Jaci New York Sweatshirt in Seafoam’ - $200.00

Meet & greet | Sydney, Australia | February 23, 2024

Adidas ‘Adicolor 70s T-Shirt’ - $50.00

Taylor notably hasn’t been doing official fan meet and greets on the Eras Tour (a worthy sacrifice in favour of a longer setlist, imo). But there is often an exception made for the offspring of celebrity guest attendees. In Sydney it appears she made time to meet Hugh Jackman friends’ children post-show and she was wearing a very cute casual sporty tee by Adidas.

Out and about | Sydney, Australia | February 20, 2024

House of CB ‘Chicca Top’ - $119.00

I had voiced just today in my Tortured Poets prediction post over on the TSS Patreon what our first glimpse of “official” TTPD candid style would look like now that we all have a project to contextualize her fashion through. The last year has seen Taylor evoke a mature continuation of the schoolgirl styles (heeled loafers, plaid mini skirts, chunky knits) she’s loved since her late teens that one can now perhaps read in retrospect as future nods to ‘dark academia’ fashion that we may continue to see unfold under the TTPD masthead.

This ‘fit (our first following her album announcement at the Grammys) seems to all but confirm that by underlining the key items that she’s been repeating as this era’s uniform. Pieces like her House of CB bustier-style corset top (the hook and eye front closure, ruffled neckline, and curvy seam details feel soft and femme and a little sensual) and belted mini skirt (her third by Miu Miu).

I so look forward to continuing to watch TTPD fashion unfold. What are your thoughts? Both on past outfits and this one perhaps leading to the road of The Tortured Poets Department.

Worn with: Tilly Sveaas necklace and Miu Miu skirt

Get the look: Free People, $48 / Free People, $78 / LPA, $107

Illustration by Amelia Noyes

Super Bowl LVIII | Las Vegas, NV | February 11, 2024

Dion Lee ‘Crochet Corset Top’ - $720.00

There’s a few different callbacks on display here with this bustier alone which when paired with a ton of gold accessories, and a red jacket remind me very much of Taylor’s outfit from her third game (October 12, Broncos vs Chiefs). Taylor also of course wore a Versace corset top like this one the night she and Travis walked hand in hand in NYC following Taylor’s cameo appearance at SNL to introduce Ice Spice.

But more importantly is the diplomatic dressing on display here. This happens to be Taylor’s first time wearing Dion Lee who is an Australian fashion designer. To me, this reads as a nice callout to the fact that Taylor has Aussie fans on the brain as she’ll of course be heading there next on the Eras Tour (first Melbourne, then Sydney).

Worn with: Wear by EA jacket, Stephanie Gottlieb pendant and tennis necklace, Shay necklace and bracelet, The Last Line earring, Shahla Karimi + Shay + Retrouvai rings, Judith Leiber clutch, Area pants, and Christian Louboutin boots

Photo by Ezra Shaw via Getty Images

The Tortured Poets Department | April 19, 2024

Saint Laurent ‘Silk Tank Top’ - $650.00
The Row ‘Ausra Brief’ - $790.00

Our first look at a new era. 

With so little to go off of, there’s still much to parse here. Between the bedsheets, the pose, and (of course) the clothes - a pair of briefs and a slinky tank falling off the shoulder - to me evokes a combination of both intimacy and guardedness. Soft and vulnerable, but a little careworn and protective. This is the balancing act I think Taylor’s been playing with her whole life (an open heart revealed through deliberate acts) but feels painted in a more (pun intended) black and white way on this album cover. Even the sheerness of the top that plays with transparency, but only how much she permits, strikes me. 

And, it turns out, Taylor wearing The Row (and toting a few new YSL bags too) so much over the last few months was no coincidence (is there ever one with Taylor, really?). Her cozy selects appear to be (as confirmed by her stylist) to be this sheer tank and ribbed brief by YSL and The Row. 

While there’s so much about this album’s themes and sound that we don’t know - it’s of course fun to guess! The idea of the tortured artist to me sounds like it has the opportunity to explore the self-loathing andthe satire Taylor has previously toyed with on both “Anti-Hero” and “Blank Space”. Both the sincere truth of self-analyzing a life of being a tortured poet herself while also poking fun at the muses in her life who have aped at being tortured poets - perhaps delivered with a tongue firmly in cheek accompanied by a smirk and an eyeroll. 

I’m excited to see what awaits us and learn more about this project as well as your Critically Kind thoughts. 

Editorial Note: Original cover image captured by Beth Garrabrant - Taylor’s album photographer since folklore. In place of Beth’s image, for which she retains rights, I’ve commissioned a lovely demonstrative illustration by the talented Amelia Noyes.