15 Key Pieces Only Taylor Swift Can Wear
She brought us the single "Style", and has rocked the entertainment and fashion worlds. Taylor Swift's inimitable style is as maverick as her music and deserves a review of its most 'out there' moments. She's got that "red lip classic thing that [we] like", but does Taylor ever go out of style? Just like the song says, Taylor manages to pull together the seemingly disparate aesthetics of "good girl" and "tight little skirt" throughout her fashion repertoire. Rocking looks that teeter (like Taylor in her heels) between the traditional and the futuristic, the classic and the kitsch, the stylish and the style-less. For sure, only Taylor could make some of these gems the successes they are but shouldn't be. Taylor teaches us to rethink everything we thought we knew about how to do fashion. Just like her music, Taylor's fashion choices prove you can be sexy in a school marm way and modern in fifties-inspired A-lines. As we know from Taylor's song "Shake it off", she doesn't care what the haters say, because they're always "gonna hate hate hate hate", and somehow Taylor Swift always shakes off criticism of her unlikely choices when it comes to the style stakes. Although almost every one of Taylor's outfits is questionable when it comes to cool, Swifty's style is impeccable for matching (sometimes literally) her irreverent yet polite personality and sweet but sassy songs. Taylor's attitude is the ultimate fashion accessory that magically delivers her from the fashion mishaps that always seem just around the corner for the singer. Is Taylor Swift's style out of the woods yet? Before deciding, let's take a look at the singer's most outrageous outfits…
15 Weird oversize shapes
Maybe this was one of the times Taylor is talking about when she sings in "Blank Space" that she "makes the moves up as [she goes]". But somehow, this unprecedented combination of strange shapes works when Taylor wears it. The only explanation for this is a number of subtle echoes that run through the outfit, tying it together despite its obvious contrasts. Layering one statement shape over another actually creates balance, while the monochrome means that all the clashing happens on the level of shape, which creates cohesion. Sure, the shapes are a world away from Taylor's usual bodycon aesthetic. Sure, they're more reminiscent of the seventeenth-century Dutch costumes Scarlett Johansson wore in Girl with A Pearl Earring than modern pop starlet style. And sure, the jacket looks a little bit like Taylor might be about to open it up and sell us a vintage pocket-watch. But it's to her credit that the gorgeous star makes this aggressively weird look so good.
14 Silver-sequin covered dress from the future
Taylor is definitely channeling Princess Leia in this space-age Vogue shoot, in which she revamped her girl-next-door look with a bright white bob that updated her classic red lip. This is definitely not a look for the faint-hearted, and we think that there's something about Taylor's sassy attitude that makes her subtly irreverent style work, against all odds. This was a key moment in Swifty's style metamorphosis from American sweetheart of "cherry lips and crystal skies" into a more conscious and edgier fashion icon. She tells us in "Blank Space" that she's "a nightmare dressed like a daydream" and this is absolutely one of those times when Taylor's repertoire got especially imaginative. The all-over sparkle is the kind of look that requires complete confidence. Most of us would look about as stylish as like a glitter ball, but Taylor (with some help from legendary Vogue stylists like Grace Coddington) managed to rock this unlikely look.
13 Red carpet crop tops
Taylor has cornered the market in red carpet crop. Returning to this look on multiple occasions, Taylor looks great in a reinvented ballgown, modernized with a crop top. Although crop tops are associated with nineties early Gwen Stefani for most of us, Taylor's interpretation somehow says "I dress how I want", and she totally gets away with a pretty controversial look, thanks to her killer abs. Known for her comparatively modest style on the red carpet, while other celebrities flash flesh outrageously, Taylor is no less provocative in showing her middle. Though she's known for throwing traditional tea parties for her fans, Taylor works the kind of look your grandmother warned you against. This look works so well for Taylor because her waist and endless legs are some of her best assets, so flashing these is her unique secret to red carpet luxe. Few celebs would get away with this, so we commend Taylor on her winning cropped tops and locks combinations.
12 The matching patterned short-suit
Shorts are a firm favorite of Taylor's and with those giraffe-like legs, it isn't hard to see why. Plus, they totally go with her playful, awkward and preppy style. It takes a lot to pull off the matching short suit combination, though. On most of us, this look is dangerously close to overdone, but Taylor doesn't care about that - after all, she's showing us the importance of dressing for the job you want. While so many of us have made it our mission to perfect no makeup makeup, 'effortless' style and boyfriend jeans, Taylor Swift reminds us that it is possible to go full femme and get dolled up for no other reason than that it makes us feel fabulous. The cropped shorts look, like her cropped red carpet outfits, is enhanced by a preppy and modern bob cut that counteracts the 'dolled up' aesthetic of the matching suit. This is a look to rock in a small selection of circumstances but has potential as an office or day-to-night outfit. Make sure you match it with Taylor's confidence though if you're thinking of attempting the challenging cropped suit.
11 Extreme Met-gala style
Taylor's Met gala look was one of the occasions when she verged furthest away from her traditional country roots. The singer-songwriter wore a crystal-encrusted minidress, white-blonde bob and gothic-inspired makeup to the equally sparkly celebrity party. Maybe it was this vibe that first attracted long-term Taylor boyfriend, Tom Hiddleston. The pair were papped tearing up the dance floor at the event, which lots of celebrities have panned for being a drawn-out press junket. Taylor was definitely changing that, together with her typical style and history of temporary boyfriends. With this incarnation of the singer, it seemed like she had found a new version of herself, but her look is definitely not one we are racing to copy. While we loved it for its daring and super shiny celebrity glitter, we are not going to be seen in fake silver snakeskin, bleach-blonde hair and goth-inspired dark plum lipstick any time soon.
10 The total nude
We'd be worried about looking like we had left the house naked, but Taylor seems unperturbed by an all-over nude outfit. Nude colors can be super flattering, but they can also be challenging to pull off and can make your actual skin look sallow or otherwise unappealing if not the perfect shade. Another subtle risk that Taylor takes with this outfit is monochrome, which can make you look unnatural. Paradoxical, when she's picked natural nude as her color here. Taylor accessorizes with her usual purse and high heels, also in nude, and manages to stand out rather than fade into the background, which can happen to non-Taylor wearers of the all-over nude. Total nude takes the natural look to an extreme and can look about as natural as a Barbie doll, which is a clever contrast if you know how to handle it. Taylor definitely does, and as usual, manages to wear the clothes rather than having them wear her. We think the key to her style success is the all-star attitude that she brings, whether she's performing in front of thousands or strutting her stuff on the street.
9 The cherry beret, boots, and gloves
Did Taylor check herself when she walked out the door in this one? It seems so. Rocking a matchy-matchy look is a traditionally risky move that Taylor has perfected. It seems to echo her own traditional and yet daring style perfectly. There's a kind of Jackie O meets French turn of the century painter look going on here, which only Taylor could work with thick grey tights. Taylor's style also reminds us of the quirk of a Wes Anderson movie, especially Margot in the Royal Tenenbaums, which was a movie that proved there is a mainstream market for seriously weird worlds full of strange characters and equally bizarre fashion choices. As we've learned from Lady Gaga, fashion can sometimes be all about challenging the tasteful. Taylor is even more subversive in integrating her girl-next-door look into some pretty adventurous style decisions. Only Taylor could make a playfully preppy matching plum look elegant.
8 The sequin Catwoman
You might have thought that this kind of Catwoman-inspired catsuit had its day way back in the Eighties, but Taylor has brought it back to life, paired with towering six-inch platform heels. On anyone else, this would be a Halloween costume. But somehow America's favorite fashion maverick Ms. Swift manages to style it out. Even more alarming, Taylor's catsuit is covered in sequins, giving it a racy wet look that also highlights the slightest bulge. Luckily, Taylor's bod is every bit as toned as the original Catwoman, Michelle Pfeiffer, ever was. It must be Taylor's superpowers that enable her to make this vintage superhero look contemporary. Taylor's girl next door aesthetic and clean crop manage to dial down an outfit that had all the signs of going seriously awry. But we love Taylor for daring to try an outrageously cheeky outfit and managing to work a sequin catsuit without mishap.
7 The perfected Anna Wintour
The sleek bob and paired down black outfit Taylor is rocking here take serious style inspo from Anna Wintour. OK, so Anna did it first, but no one other than Swifty could give it such a saucy twist. Often accessorizing her looks with matching hairstyles and shapes, Taylor has modernized the Vogue editor's trademark bob with a flicked fringe and a clean gold choker. Swift's take on the choker look that swept the world in 2016 accentuates her gleaming hair and radiant skin. But on most people, a gold band would (probably) end up looking cheap and just a little bit too 'Roman general' for comfort. Once again, Taylor has managed to pull off a look no one else would get away with: the Vogue editor in chief come Caligula. And make it look even more chic than the queen of the fashion world. As ever, Taylor's confidence is totally key to the fashion equation.
6 The blanket and matching boots
Not only has Taylor subtly used the colors of winter: evergreen and oxblood, but she has echoed them throughout this seemingly slung-together winter drape of a look. Evergreen scarf and trousers and red boots pick up on this appropriated grandma's blanket of a cover-up. As ever, Taylor is unafraid of working styles that would be dated and under-informed on anyone else, but end up looking classic and classy on Taylor. Another signature of the starlet's conservatively daredevil style is her affection for matching. There is no on else that can match as much as Taylor Swift and not look ridiculous. She just does it so perfectly, you begin to wonder if she even picks her clothes out herself. Another risky fashion tactic that we've all been schooled to avoid, Taylor's matching verges on the iconic. We are used to thinking that matching can age us, emphasize our body imperfections and look to try-hard, but Taylor fearlessly shows that it can work. Well, at least, on her.
5 The over the knee green socks and kitsch shirt
Anyone other than Taylor would look totally crazy wearing these thick green over the knee socks with heels. Not to mention teamed with a shirt that has kitsch eyelash embroidery on the pockets. We're not exactly sure how to read this look. Could it have been inspired by the safari style of her 'Wildest Dreams' vid? Or is it all about the schoolgirl? Either way, it's remarkable that Taylor left the house in this one, let alone the fact that somehow it looks less terrible than it should. No doubt the look is helped by Taylor's mod hairdo and svelte frame, but it's hard to know how Taylor worked this one. As usual, her aesthetic incorporates school marm and sexy, here in a totally maverick green wooly stocking. All we can say is this is the kind of thing that makes Taylor unpredictable, and she's all the more riveting for her eccentric style.
4 The shirt dress with Bill Murray hat
We think we have spotted a hat-tip to style icon Bill Murray in Taylor's mauve chapeau, which she was spotted wearing with a shirt-dress and uncharacteristic flatties. We have noted that Taylor likes to rock unusual colors like mauve and evergreen, and whip out styles we thought had died a death a few years back. But when the pop princess wears a shirt dress and bowler hat, it's as though her fresh vibe instantly brings these eclectic throwbacks up to date. And honestly, we just love everything about it! Would anyone less modish be able to work these looks without seeming like they were heading for a Britney phase? Taylor's hat puts her in the elite company of maverick hat-wearing celebrities like Johnny Depp and the aforementioned Murray. It says, 'I do what I want', and seems totally in-keeping with Taylor's defiant attitude in life and songs like "Shake it off".
3 Total tartan
OK so Brit fashion houses Alexander McQueen and Viv Westwood have brought tartan into the fashionistas' orbit once more, but Taylor is one of the only celebrities to have a penchant for the distinctive Scotch check. It could be that she is referencing her Scottish heritage, which goes back a few generations, which might also explain why a look associated with schoolgirls and rugged highlanders works so well on her. Otherwise, it's definitely a counter-intuitive choice, picked by the songstress no doubt for its controversial appeal. And we definitely are left guessing with this one. Only Taylor Swift can land us in this kind of quandary, flouting the rules that we have been taught to believe by years of flipping through fashion magazines and scrolling through fashion blogs. Especially in full body format, the tartan look comes with a warning list as long as its stripes: Taylor has once again walked on the fashion wild side, and (weirdly) worked it.
2 The doll
The hairband has experienced a renaissance after the girls of Sex and the City blacklisted it a few years back. Together with peach plastic Barbie shoes and a high-neck A-line dress, this look is straight out of a sixties fashion catalog and reminds us of the days when women still dressed in distinctly gender-specific ways. In our modern milieu, when many are experimenting with gender fluid fashion, Taylor is rocking an apparently reactionary girly look, showing that real diversity is about the traditional coexisting with the radical. By keeping her look pared down and schoolgirl, Taylor stays in touch with her legions of fans and stands out amongst the sea of celebrities dressed in a uniform of all black and sunnies. But only Taylor can make the doll look edgy and interesting rather than stiff and repressed. And the Alice-band? We'd have to be SO ironic if we were going to try working Taylor's look here after our early teens.
1 The bestie and black lace
Only Taylor Swift could work the Victoria's Secret runway with members of her infamous squad of gazelle-like goddesses. Not only does the pop star belt out number one hits like "Trouble" and "Blank Space", but she gives these internationally successful supermodels a run for their money with her epic, toned legs and fierce attitude. We loved the magic moment in the 2014 VS Fashion Show when Taylor and her famous BFF strutted down the runway in matching black lace, grins, and bad girl bra-vura. Taylor's ultimate fashion accessory, which only she can command is her bevvy of beautiful celebrity buds, led by fashion-forward Karlie Kloss. Taylor's A-list fashionista friends include Cara Delevingne, Gigi Hadid, Martha Hunt, and Lily Aldridge and that's just the ones on the Victoria's Secret catwalk. She's proved that she's not only the Princess of Pop, but she and her model girlfriends rule supreme over the fashion world too.