From her debut album in 2006 to her recent re-recording of her pop hit 1989, it’s irrefutable that Taylor Swift has made a colossal impact in today’s music industry. Born on 13 December 1989 in Pennsylvania USA, the 33-year old multi-hyphenate has released 10 studio albums as well as four that have been re-recorded. All but her debut album have peaked at the No.1 top spot on the Billboard 200 in the US, and her recent albums Midnights and 1989 (Taylor’s Version) rose as instant chart-toppers. With all her successes as a recording artist, it comes as no surprise that her current world tour, The Eras Tour, was one of the fastest selling tours to date. For the Singapore stop of the 2024 International leg, tickets were in such high demand, which led Swift to add an additional three dates—making up a total of six shows. Some have compared the tour to the “Beatlemania” of the 1960s, with its astronomical sales making Swift the first person with music as a primary source of income to become a billionaire.
Late August saw the announcement of a concert film of The Eras Tour, and it premiered in the United States on October 11, raking in US$39 million just on its first day. With eight films changing their release dates to avoid competition with Swift’s concert film, Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour was an anticipated hit. With the show released locally on 3 November, Swifties in Singapore flocked to the cinemas this past weekend, ahead of her highly-awaited tour on our shores next year.
Now famously known for her “eras”, Swift’s personal style has also been categorised distinctly through the years. Naturally, influenced by trends that come and go with the passing of time, her sartorial choices seemed to have also shifted with her musical releases and breakthroughs as a multi-talented musician.
Below, we look back at Swift’s street style through her eras.
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'Taylor Swift'
At just 16 years old, a very young Taylor catapulted into stardom with her self-titled debut album. The year of 2007 saw the starlet’s first red carpets, award ceremonies and major concerts. Her style at that time is reminiscent of any teenage girl’s wardrobe. Youthful and innocent, with a hint of edge to give the illusion of rebellion.
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'Taylor Swift'
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'Fearless'
Winning Grammy awards for Album of the Year and Best Country Album, Fearless was a breakout album for Swift. Earning her international recognition, the musician quickly became a household name at just 19 years old. Teemed with the album’s release, a gradual maturation came through Swift’s style. Structured trenches announced a more polished form of dressing, while still embodying youthful fixtures like off-the-shoulder tops and knee-length boots.
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'Fearless'
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'Speak Now'
Speak Now was the first album that Swift wrote entirely herself, as well as her first release as a full-fledged adult. Tied to a newfound maturity and femininity, her Speak Now era saw the exchange of loose lines for tailored silhouettes, bold chunky jewellery for minimal elegant pieces, and slouchy bags for structured silhouettes.
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'Speak Now'
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'Red'
Straddling the gap between country and pop music, Red saw Taylor Swift tackle darker, more complex emotions and situations. Covering adult relationships, and more nuanced perspectives, critics deemed Swift’s fourth album a development from her previous, more “juvenile” records. This was also what some deem as her best style era—with the likes of cardigans, oxfords and of course, her signature red lip.
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'Red'
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'1989'
Centred on fun, friendship, and her move to New York City, Swift’s first pop album 1989 saw her donning on more playful, bold looks in a fresh new bob. Stepping into her new city-girl persona, Swift was often sporting bright heels, colourful separates, and “a tight little skirt”.
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'1989'
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'Reputation'
Following a year’s disappearance from the public eye, the artist’s sixth album was her version of a redemption arc. After being the subject of the internet’s aggression and ridicule, Taylor made a comeback doing what she does best—by dropping a No.1 album. With a darker sound and an exploration of her sexuality in Reputation, Swift’s street style also went through a metamorphosis. Think edgier, risqué separates paired with a fierce pair of sunglasses.
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'Reputation'
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'Lover'
Taking a 180 from Reputation, Lover brought forth pastels, romantic ballads, and of course, a new wardrobe to accompany Swift’s new album. Pictured in lighter colours, and blazers alike to her music videos from the album, Swift ushered in a new wave of happiness and romance with her style.
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'Lover'
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'Folklore' and 'Evermore'
The first of her Covid-recorded albums, Folklore was a shift from her usual narrative storytelling—where she created fictitious characters and storylines that held the perfect balance of whimsicality and imagination. Exactly what we needed in the height of the pandemic. Then there was Evermore, which brought a sense of grounding and introspection. With nature being a large motif in the album, Swift’s wardrobe found itself brimming with dark, earthy tones.
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'Folklore' and 'Evermore'
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'Taylor's Version'
With the onslaught of (Taylor’s Version) albums came another turn of the tides in Swift’s street style. Veering towards black and darker hues as a colour preference, her recent looks echo the adulthood and belonging found in her current sound. Now more than ever, the successful star is confident and assured in the sartorial strides that she takes—consistent and often reflective of the security found in your 30s. It doesn’t matter if she’s flying solo or booed up with a new man, the Taylor we’re witnessing now is undoubtedly the best version of herself.
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'Taylor's Version'
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'Taylor's Version'
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'Taylor's Version'
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