Take a deep dive into Swift’s most memorable music video looks.
Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter Taylor Swift is never one to disappoint her fans or one to play by the script. For her 10th album, Midnights, which was released on October 21, Swift is returning to her signature pop sound after taking a detour through “the edge of the folklorian woods” as she calls it.
Despite being less than a week into the release, the album is already hitting charts and breaking records. According to Billboard, Midnights’ initial sales have already secured its title as the biggest-selling album to date of 2022 in the United States, beating out Harry Styles’ release Harry’s House. With each of her previous releases, the “Vinyl Queen of The World” always makes sure she has a music video packed with rich visuals to accompany her sounds, alongside some seminal style moments.
Her album drop comes just days before Halloween festivities begin. In honor of the singer’s most memorable fashion era’s including her fresh release, here’s a roundup of her best music video looks to inspire your Halloween holiday glamour:
1/6
Love Story
Swift’s 2008 album Fearless solidified her place in mainstream stardom. This release saw some of her most memorable love songs, including “Love Story.” Both the lyrics and the music video referenced William Shakespeare’s play Romeo and Juliet. Get her fairytale princess look by tightly curling your hair and pinning it up around a headband. Consider this floor-length Max Mara dress and accessorize it with dainty necklaces.
2/6
All Too Well
The 2012 album Red saw the first dramatic shift for Swift. She left behind the angelic curls and dresses for a darker, more introspective look and tone as she experimented away from her upbeat country pop sounds. She released a short film to accompany her song “All Too Well.” To get her mod look, try a Tom Ford lipstick for the perfect red, with an all-black combination of turtleneck and blazer.
3/6
Bad Blood
Taylor Swift’s reinvention came in the form of her fifth album, 1989. She named it after the year she was born, a move meant to signify her re-birth and self-discovery. Rolling Stone included it in their 500 Greatest Albums of All Time list. 1989 also won Best Pop Vocal Album and Album of The Year at the Grammys.
Her “Bad Blood” music video declared to fans that she had outgrown her girl-next-door dresses and sweet love songs. Recreate the bold look with High-Pigment NARS black eyeliner, a latex Versace bustier, and a leather Balmain miniskirt.
4/6
Blank Space
Another song on Swift’s 1989 album deserves a mention. Swift made a nod to her own reputation of writing about her romances in songs in “Blank Space,” touting herself as a “nightmare dressed as a daydream.” Her music video, which Bustle calls her best of all time, makes reference to other pop-culture imagery like Mean Girls, Twilight, and The Portrait of Dorian Gray. Reference the chart-topping song with a sheer black dress from Saint Laurent and an elegant updo.
5/6
Look What You Made Me Do
Having been subject to much tabloid criticism and bashing, Swift made a bold statement declaring her self-awareness with the album Reputation. Her song “Look What You Made Me Do” referenced digging her own grave, alongside issues surrounding her Grammy Awards, her ex Calvin Harris, and the infamous phone call from Kim Kardashian. Recreate her revenge looks with this silver mini dress from Mango. You could also go the hoodie dress route, care of Off-White, and pair them with red thigh-high boots. For her iconic throne look, pair a bright red caftan with strappy gold heels.
6/6
Anti-Hero
By now, Swift fans are well aware of the hidden messages the singer imbues into her tracks. Her newest release under the album Midnight, “Anti-Hero” once again references her own eras. Characters in one scene of her music video wear dresses from Fearless. Another scene sees her playing the guitar with koi fish on it from “Speak Now.” She discussed on Instagram how the song is actually about her own insecurities, calling it one of her favorite songs she’s ever written. Copy the look with a collared knit from Gucci, or alternatively, be Taylor’s ghost by pairing a bedsheet with a pair of Ray-Bans and a fedora.