Top 10 Taylor Swift Music Video Looks
#10: White Dress
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"You Belong with Me" (2009) Despite her more over-the-top aesthetics in the late 2010s, Taylor Swift was playing modest characters back in 2009. 'You Belong with Me' saw Taylor as a high school nerd pining after a friend. Though her cardigans and t-shirts set a more plain tone for the role at first, Swift turned heads in the prom scene with a stunning white ensemble. The Jovani ball gown boasted the elegance of a wedding dress, with beautiful jewels along the neckline. While her evil alter ego's revealing red garb was appropriately seductive, Taylor's ivory frock was classier. By showing just how dramatically Swift could change styles, this knockout Jovani outfit helped her execute the ugly duckling trope the right way.
#9: Hooded Badass
"...Ready for It?" (2017) A total 180 from her early innocent appearances, the hooded Taylor we see in '...Ready for It' is powerful and sinister. Swift looks like a boxer walking to a fight with her black cloak, while the outfit has enough rugged detail in its fabric to fit the cyberpunk world around her too. As she stands across from her noticeably anime-inspired double, Taylor resembles an agent of death thanks to her Jessica Jones Design cloak. The mix of tall boots, excessive straps and a leotard are certainly edgy, but it's all part of her villainous attitude in the video. Though the trapped version of Swift triumphs in this story, her tormentor was arguably way more glamorous.
#8: Renaissance Chic
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"Love Story" (2008) To match the period piece style of her 'Love Story' video, Swift dons several outfits reportedly inspired by the Renaissance and the Middle Ages. Much of the video sees Taylor singing in an enchanting Sandi Spika Borchetta gown, fit to her with a corset. With intricate bands hanging on her arms and a delightful necklace, Swift really looks like the princess she sings about. While her dance frock carries its own vintage charm, the train on her Borchetta outfit would be right at home walking down the aisle too. Given the romanticism in the costume design of 'Love Story,' it's no wonder that it's one of the standout looks from Taylor's early days.
#7: Casual Hipster
"22" (2013) Next to many of Taylor's dramatic songs, '22' and its music video were all about cutting loose and enjoying your youth. So as part of this lighthearted energy, Swift appears in a casual shirt and shorts combo. Plus with her stylish hat and heart shades, Taylor lives up to her lyrics by dressing like a hipster. Yes, she does put on cat ears and beanies throughout the video too, but the black hat tops off the summer wear best. Swift rocks the outfit's minimal colors for a chic ensemble that still looks like something she would wear on her days off.
#6: Polka Dots
"We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together" (2012) To capture this music video in one shot, Taylor Swift had to wear several outfits at once just to change quickly between the different sets. Nevertheless Taylor wore her polka dot top in 'We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together' as if she'd had hours to put it together. The shirt's pattern and her long ponytail had a retro style that recalled fashion from 'Grease.' Swift's dark shorts also helped give a contemporary quality to the outfit, while it contrasted the sharp red of her top as well. The look seemed to play on the indie elitist character she mocked in the scene too. Regardless of the intention, Swift 's garb showed there was still room for polka dots in modern fashion.
#5: Every Look in "ME!"
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"ME!" feat. Brendon Urie of Panic! at the Disco (2019) Compared to Swift's usual videos, 'ME!' boasts a full pastel rainbow of unique clothing. Taylor starts in a Monique Lhuillier cocktail dress with enough embroidered flowers to resemble a Disney princess. Her ruffled pink dress looks like cotton candy, while her melting ball gown has a mesmerizing fantasy effect. Swift also elicits Nancy Sinatra in a sequined go-go frock, and her yellow pantsuit is parts Hilary Clinton and parts Talking Heads’ David Byrne. The mint green majorette costume she wears is wondrously campy thanks to its over-the-top detailing and color. Heck, even her embroidered jacket and shorts combination from Alexander McQueen is a progressive look.With Taylor's constant knockout garbs in 'ME!,' it's easy to miss Brendon Urie's awesome suits.
#4: Muddy Prom
"Out of the Woods" (2015) Taylor Swift braves harsh elements while somehow looking fabulous in this metaphorical video about breakups. Swift wears a pleated number that could easily work for a party or a more formal affair. The blue also serves as a nice contrast to the muted backdrops in the video, helping Taylor pop out from her surroundings. Her flowing skirt freezes, tears and rises beautifully to match the flow of nature itself. Swift's slip dress also carries a sense of grace despite all the mud it gets covered in. By allowing Taylor to show her vulnerability and emotions through her wardrobe, the blue frock of 'Out Of The Woods' is a constant delight.
#3: Blue Fringe Dress
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"Delicate" (2018) Fame is a blessing and a curse for Taylor, so a chance at invisibility lets her dance like a dork in 'Delicate.' Her lush custom-made Naeem Khan dress is a rich shade of blue, and its blend of fringe and sequins add some flair as well. Though her flashy Louboutin pumps help accent her celebrity look, Swift ditches them and the bottom-half of her garment to bust a move. The new mini dress maintains the glitz of the original design but in a more casual style. The fringe also gives her the mobility to groove through the video, while it follows her motions. Whether she's walking the red carpet and doing the splits in the rain, this gown keeps Taylor consistently fashionable.
#2: Black Leather
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"Bad Blood" feat. Kendrick Lamar (2015) For her role as a secret agent in 'Bad Blood,' Swift wears handfuls of slick and form-fitting garbs to highlight her tough persona. She really embodies an action movie badass the most in her final leather outfit however, with a massive explosion behind her for good measure. A barely there top and shorts show off Taylor's toned body, while giving her a battle-ready quality as well. Her guns also work as oversized accessories due to the excessive use of black in her clothes. Straps cover Swift's torso, arms and even boots for a mood that's equally fierce and seductive. And with her flaming red hair to top it all off, 'Bad Blood' reveals a darker and more aggressive side to Taylor. Before we get to our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions: Blue Prom Queen "Our Song" (2007) Flapper Star "Mean" (2011) Light Purple Dress "Begin Again" (2012) Yellow Dress "Wildest Dreams" (2015)
#1: Red Balmain Cut-out
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"Look What You Made Me Do" (2017) To satirize the media's perception of her, Taylor Swift goes through plenty of over-the-top and luxurious frocks in 'Look What You Made Me Do.' Whether it was a ditzy starlet in a leopard coat or a diva bathing in jewels, each guise elicits a memorable caricature of fame. Swift's red Balmain gown mixes high fashion and a dash of Cruella de Vil extravagance, with gold nails and snakes to play up her evil side. The outfit's jagged neckline appears to hang off Taylor, while its cut-out sections boldly display skin. Though her black fur 'Reputation' top is commanding, her red dress is distinctly menacing. And next to a lineup of Swift's most iconic costumes, her Balmain look is surreally chic.
