While Taylor Swift’s massive achievements in music aren’t up for debate, her personal style and fashion choices have long split critics and fans alike.
Every time Taylor Swift leaves the house, she makes headlines with what she wears.
The 14-time Grammy winner’s custom red carpet looks routinely top best-dressed lists, while the more affordable pieces she incorporates into her street style and social media outfits tend to sell out, well, swiftly.
She even single-handedly made the friendship bracelet the year’s most in-demand accessory, thanks to a passing mention to the beaded bauble in one of her songs.
But while Swift’s massive musical achievements aren’t up for debate, her personal style has long split critics and fans alike.
While some clamor to copy her outfits and appreciate her dedication to dressing in line with each of her musical eras, others have claimed she’s “literally immune from slaying” and “lacks the depth of personality” required to make more editorial looks truly sing.
One fan, Cookie Cohen, even launched an Instagram account (@youbelonginthis) dedicated to Photoshopping fashion-forward looks onto the songwriter.
With a number of Swifties (plus a few Swift-agnostic staffers) on the Page Six team, we gathered at the office for a critical but kind discussion on the global superstar’s ever-evolving and occasionally polarizing wardrobe — from our all-time favorite outfits to those to which she should’ve said no.
Elana Fishman: As a diehard fan of Taylor Swift’s style who’s spent entirely too much money purchasing items from her closet, I’m happy to kick off and moderate this conversation. Let’s start with her look from last night’s 2024 VMAs, since it’s fresh in everyone’s minds.
Tamantha Ryan: I wasn’t a fan, but I thought it was nice of her to switch up the bright red lipstick.
Melissa Minton: When she showed up in that high-low plaid Dior outfit with the strappy opera-length leather gloves, I have to admit, I thought it was one of my least favorite things she’s ever worn. But then, she changed into a sequin-covered and embellished Monse minidress and, in my opinion, it was the absolute best she’s ever looked.
That dichotomy really encapsulates Swift’s style, which has never reached the ultimate high-fashion highs that some industry darlings strike on a regular basis.
Kristin McNamara: While I wouldn’t have chosen this VMAs look for her, I didn’t hate it, either. It was a costume, and the VMAs is an awards show you can have some fun at. It was definitely a choice, but she looked hot — that much is not up for debate!
Elana Fishman: It wasn’t one of my personal favorite red carpet looks she’s worn, but I applaud the risk she took — and you’re totally right, Kristin, about the VMAs being the place for that. That plaid look actually read as very Vivienne-coded to me, which is super in line with her corseted-and-pleated Taylor’s “Tortured Poets Department” aesthetic (with a side order of “Reputation” edge).
Moving on from the VMAs specifically, I’d love to hear everyone’s thoughts on her red carpet style more generally.
