Whether you love or hate her, there is one thing we can probably all agree on: Taylor Swift is not especially stylish. Songwriting, entertaining, boosting the economy, being an easter egg mastermind: these are the things she excels at.

But fashion has never been her strong suit (her chaotic styling at the recent Grammys being the perfect example), to the point of it clearly being deliberate; a way to be the ‘girl next door’ and stay accessible to her fans, even though she’s a gazillionaire with a well-used private jet. They may not be able to afford the $695 red cashmere jumper she wore to the football, but they can copy the simple look on the cheap. (The Instagram account @youbelonginthis, set up by a frustrated fan, restyles the star as a fashion girlie to hilarious effect)

She’s not clueless, of course: her style signatures that have become an essential part of her iconography and fandom, from the colour red to sparkly princess dresses, cowboy boots to friendship bracelets. She’s deft at using clothing — and colours — to define the aesthetics of each album, all of which have become a key part of her concerts too, with superfans dressing up as their favourite era.

So what are we? Ahead of her Australian shows (which some of the Ensemble team managed to get tickets to), we each chose the era we identify with most, musically and stylistically — and we might get the look.

Red

As chosen by Rebecca Wadey, Ensemble co-founder

I took my then 6-year-old son to the Red tour in Auckland back in 2013, a defining moment for us – he slept through the whole thing and has shown no interest in Taylor since; I became a card-carrying Swiftie who has never looked back.

To me Red is mainly characterised by high-waisted red shorts and a striped tee; I love the idea of creating a modernised and uniquely Kiwi interpretation of this look. But after purchasing tickets to the show AND flights to Melbourne I’m not in a position to buy anything new to wear. I already own the Caitlin Snell red bow and I think I’ll splash out for this Pat McGrath lipstick which is apparently one of Taylor’s faves, and comes in the cutest bow embossed tube. 

Kowtow striped tee, $129

Sylvester ‘Hampton’ shorts, $229

Caitlin Snell ‘Georgie’ bow, $80

Pat McGrath Labs Satinallure lipstick in ‘Crimson Ecstasy’, $55

Karen Walker ‘Bow Wow’ glasses, $360

Fearless

As chosen by Lyric Waiwiri-Smith, Stuff reporter

Few things in this life capture the magic of Taylor Swift’s Fearless: dancing in a storm in your best dress, tossing rocks at your lover’s window in the cold, believing in fairytales against all odds – the kind of love story imagery you only dream up at 18-years-old.

As the name itself suggests, Fearless is all about taking the moment and tasting it, being so young and dumb in love that it destroys your world and rebuilds you again. 

Fearless is Swift’s second album, and the one that helped catapult her career into the mainstream, and nabbed her first of a record-breaking four Album of The Year awards.

Of course, the only clothes that truly encapsulate the feeling of being fearless, young and in love are sequins, fringe and gold, complete with cowboy boots, meant for stomping.

Atoms&Here ‘Taylor’ fringe mini dress, about $110

Mi Piaci ‘Annie’ cowboy boots, $500

Ceremonia Pequi Curl Activator, $49

Stila Glitter and Glow liquid eyeshadow in ‘Kitten Karma’, $45

1989

As chosen by Tyson Beckett, style reporter

Unfortunately the era of Swift's I relate to most is also the most cringe – musically and aesthetically – 1989. Maybe that’s just because when it came out I was also at my personal cringiest (debatable): living in London, shopping almost exclusively at Primark for sideboob revealing singlets emblazoned with Henry Holland-esque phrases like ‘rad’ and kissing boys who tasted like cheap Red Stripe beer (both gross IMHO). Life was never worse, but never better etc.

Looking back, the style of this era very closely aligns with Swift's move away from country into being a full throttled pop star. Colourful wayfarers, cropped singlets, American Apparel skater skirts, knee-high socks, ankle boots, pump heels and sequined bomber jackets. A nightmare dressed like a daydream, to again borrow from the woman herself. 

I do think certain aspects share parallels with the varsity inspired looks she's been wearing offstage and on the sidelines lately; the cropped singlets and mini skirt pairings especially. This updated version is what I'd try to lean into. A red lip is of course non-negotiable.

Violette FR Petal Bouche Matte lipstick in ‘Amour Fou’, $51

Aje shell top, $228 (on sale)

Glassons pleated mini skirt, $40

Levante 15 denier tights, $18 

Isle of Eden sunglasses, $199

Mi Piaci 'Lana' platform heel, $300

Folklore

As chosen by Zoe Walker Ahwa, Ensemble editor

My lockdown album; the one that I've played it on repeat, most days, since 2020. It conjures feelings (so many feelings) of being trapped indoors with a big glass of red wine and an old cardigan as well as walking in the salt air wearing an ethereal cotton dress (and an old cardigan). The dichotomy of Miss Swift! It's cottagecore before cottagecore became a TikTok aesthetic; a sound and look that speaks directly to my introspective twee soul.

It's also an era that can be embraced wholeheartedly – a floaty gown with a dramatic sleeve (though Kiri Nathan's sequin caped is possibly more Evermore...) – or casually – autumnal plaid and braids. But a literal white cotton nightie that references the sleepwalking into the forest album cover is the way I'd go, as I've had my eye on those from The Moonflowers for ages. Plus a cardigan, duh, and some kind of shiny gemstone earrings that are my version of a Mirrorball. Although I won't be doing any of this, because I didn’t get tickets 😔

The Moonflowers ‘The Meadow’ nightie, $125, but it’s sold out in white so ‘The Lily’, $110

Monday Journal ‘Honey Comb’ cardigan knitting pattern, $25

Charlotte Penman quartz earrings, $205

Nadiia grosgrain ribbon bow clip in ‘green grass’, $49

Abel Green Cedar eau de parfum 15ml, $140, or Curionoir Moon Moss extrait de parfum 50ml, $265

Kiri Nathan ‘Waitaa Makau Ariki’ sequin caped dress, $2300

No era

As chosen by Lara Daly, Ensemble publishing coordinator

I'm going to tread carefully here at the risk of getting a hiding from Lyric, but I just don't get the appeal of Taylor Swift. Sorry. I'm not a hater, anymore – I definitely judged anyone who liked her music in high school (move over normies, this girl has a Dinosaur Jr T-shirt) but I don't know, her music is corny AF (to me). If I had to pick an era I guess it would be her current one? She suits the jock boyfriend and the Friday Night Lights of it all.