image

Out and about | New York City, NY | December 5, 2023

VRAI ‘Round Solitaire Stud’ - $500.00
VRAI 'Trillion Ear Jacket’ - $650.00
Jacquie Aiche ‘Small Pave Emerald Oval Eye Diamond Necklace’ - $6,300.00
Louis Vuitton 'Blossom Ring’ - $2,450.00

Worn with: Stella McCartney coat and skirt, Sheertex tights, Jimmy Choo x Jean Paul Gaultier heels

Photo by James Devaney via Getty


image

Time 2023 Person of the Year | December 6, 2023

Maria Tash ‘Diamond Pear Stud Earring’ - $4,750.00
Jacquie Aiche ‘3 Graduated Teardrop Sophia Diamond Chain Double Stud’ - $3,200.00
Jacquie Aiche ‘Marquise Diamond Blossom Drop Oval Pavé Mini Hoop’ - $3,750.00
Maria Tash ‘Triple Teardrop Marquise Diamond Threaded Stud Earring- $9,800.00
Anna Sheffield 'All Seeing Signet Ring’ - $10,500.00

The ear stack for this shoot was credited as “artists own”, meaning they weren’t sourced by the on-set stylist. This didn’t surprise me in the slightest as most of these earrings were ones we’ve seen Taylor wear before.

The two Maria Tash studs being part of the trio of lobe piercings she added to her ears in August 2023 and the chain stud in her right first lobe piercing she was spotted wearing in October 2023.

These earrings join in the stylist pick of a signet ring by Anna Sheffield, appropriately called the 'All Seeing’ ring for its eye-like center stone. But also very “Mastermind”, no?

Photo by Inez and Vinoodh for Time


image

Out and about | New York City, NY | December 6, 2023

Charlotte Simone ‘Penny Faux Fur Coat’ - £400.00

There’s a certain, “I killed a man just to walk on his grave in my heels” energy to this look that I equal parts admire and fear.

Interesting to note here that this is a new-to-her designer for Taylor whose trio of signature style pillars I’d neatly summarize as: Repetition, High/Low Price Pairing, and Indie Designers.

The third point here is the case with Charlotte Simone, a London-based brand that focuses on sustainability and small-scale production.

Worn with: Naeem Khan clutch and Giuseppe Zanotti heels

Photo by Gotham via Getty Images


image

Out and about | New York City, NY | December 6, 2023

Giuseppe Zanotti ‘Lilibeth Slingback Stiletto Sandals’ - $750.00

Maybe she’s trying out a shoe capsule. I kid. But this does mark the third time Taylor has worn these v chic Giuseppe slingbacks - the most recent being at the RENAISSANCE London film premiere.

Worn with: Charlotte Simone coat and Naeem Khan clutch

Also worn: 2022 MTV Europe Music Awards and RENAISSANCE premiere

Photo by Gotham via Getty Images


image

Out and about | New York City, NY | December 6, 2023

Naeem Khan ‘Zodiac Clutch’ - $1,490.00 (sold out)

This Zodiac clutch originally retailed back in 2018 and was once very notably carried by Meghan Markle. Pictured above is the brand’s 'Gemini’ constellation but Taylor’s is (of course) her own star sign of Sagittarius.

I love that Taylor has always been a bit of an astrological girly, having previously worn shoes and even released her own necklace merch that reference her zodiac sign.

The metallic coordination with her other gold jewelry totally works here but, of course, one has to wonder if this is simply an example of an accessory playing into her own interests or is a “Mastermind” hint of something else.

Worn with: Charlotte Simone coat and Giuseppe Zanotti heels

Photo by Gotham via Getty Images


image

Time 2023 Person of the Year | December 6, 2023

Alaïa ‘Convertible Chenille Gown’ - $3,320.00

An a-what-a?

The entire shoot feels this way to me, but this pose in particular coalesces to represent the ethos of the piece in one frame: Feminine power and artistry. I can’t help but imagine though what this moment could have looked like if styled with the removable hood and asymmetric sleeve options that it was originally designed with. But ultimately the choice to have her curls as a defining calling card feel like the 'right’ option for Taylor and to center her most identifiable human features for an inherently 'personable’ piece.

Like all things, the 'accessory’ choices (a fluffy cat, a coordinating black guitar) in this shoot feel highly intentional to me as symbols of Taylor’s personality and work.

Photo by Inez and Vinoodh for Time


image

Time 2023 Person of the Year | December 6, 2023

Wolford ‘Velvet De Luxe 66 Tights’ - $55.00

Taylor has been a longtime wearer of Wolford hosiery, dating back to 2013 through performances, candids, and photoshoots.

Thanks to the brand for confirming this particular style.

Worn with: Bardot bodysuit

Photo by Inez and Vinoodh for Time


image

Time 2023 Person of the Year | December 6, 2023

Ralph Lauren ‘Cotton Utility Jacket’ - $698.00

Over the years, Taylor’s been known to quietly take home items from magazine photoshoots. A pair of chunky Vetements boots from her Vogue 2016 spread, a cognac leather Mark Cross bag when she posed for Glamour in 2012.

So am I really surprised that we were Easter Egged on the eve of 1989 (Taylor’s Version) when Taylor was spotted out in NYC wearing this corduroy collared jacket by RL and come to find it’s the same one from one of the trio of covers via Time declaring her their Person of the Year?

No. No I am not.

Photo by Inez and Vinoodh for Time


image

Time 2023 Person of the Year | December 6, 2023

Ralph Lauren Collection ‘Cadie Cotton Piqué Vest’ - $1,290.00

Again, the usage here of a designer like Ralph Lauren is intriguing to me as it’s one Taylor has worn a lot over the years but she’s had a few notable outings wearing RL this year alone.

Including a field jacket in October on the eve of 1989 (Taylor’s Version)’s release, a corduroy at her very first Arrowhead Stadium game, and a few bags while popping in and out of her favourite NYC studio. It’s a brand that feels quite aligned with the Miss Americana of it all so it’s cool to see it presented here in a great middle ground of RLfashion which I’ve always seen as embodying a utilitarian, timeless Americana energy.

Worn with: Ralph Lauren Collection jacket + shirt and Polo Ralph Lauren jeans

Photo by Inez and Vinoodh for Time


image

Time 2023 Person of the Year | December 6, 2023

Ralph Lauren Collection ‘Tuxedo Jacket’ - $2,490.00

I love the combination here of polished three-piece tuxedo suiting with casual denim jeans.

By my eye, it appears Taylor might be wearing a cropped version of this RL Collection jacket.

Worn with: Ralph Lauren Collection shirt + vest and Polo Ralph Lauren jeans

Photo by Inez and Vinoodh for Time


image

Time 2023 Person of the Year | December 6, 2023

Bardot ‘Roll Neck Knit Bodysuit’ - $69.00

I think we have all collectively lived so many lives within the Swiftieverse in the year 2023. This year has given us so much.

But the greatest gift of all? The editorial photoshoot debut of one Benji Button.

Onto the fashion! Given the high leg cut and pairing with shiny black tights, this look gives me very Madonna vibes. In other photos of her in this simple ribbed bodysuit, we see Taylor flexing her arms - to me a callout to the Eras Tour choreography for “The Man” and of course embodying her power and femininity.

I love that the shoot’s team worked together to give a look that’s pared back and a play on ballet femininity and strength (styled by Heidi Bivens) while also providing references to some of Taylor’s most iconic beauty signatures like tousled curls (by Holli Smith) that feel closer to the natural texture of her debut era, and a bold red lip (by Diane Kendal).

Photo by Inez and Vinoodh for Time


image

Time 2023 Person of the Year | December 6, 2023

Area ‘Crystal Embellished Gown’ - $1,900.00

Just yesterday I commented on what I perceived to be Taylor’s level of comfort and confidence to exude equal parts power, ease, openness, and femininity - her fashion being an extension of that and an opportunity for her to communicate that without saying a word.

This Time piece, the first proper sit down interview I feel we’ve had in some time, is the culmination of that. The feature is sweeping and possibly one of the best and fullest profiles we’ve had in some time that I’ll be taking a lot of time to mull over.

Given how long the interviewer has spoken with her over the course of this year for this piece, I can’t help but wonder if the usage of Area as a designer here is intentional as this brand has played a fashion role in a few of Taylor’s most memorable outfits this year. First in the form of embellished butterfly jeans in a post-split pap walk. Second in embellished shorts on 'home’ turf at a Chiefs vs Jets game at a stadium she’s sold out three times this year.

Photo by Inez and Vinoodh for Time


image

Out and about | New York City, NY | December 5, 2023

Sheertex ‘Modern Diamond Sheer Tights’ - $99.00 $35.00 (on sale)

There are truly few things that give me fashion flashback in Taylor’s closet staples like a pair of designed tights which lift me all the way to her earliest days even through to now. When wearing designed tights like these, Taylor’s also not been one to be afraid of layering them with other patterns - like the plaid you see here.

Also note the signature high/low on display here in terms of designers.

Worn with: Stella McCartney coat and skirt, VRAI + Jacquie Aiche + Louis Vuitton jewelry, Jimmy Choo x Jean Paul Gaultier heels

Photo by James Devaney via Getty


image

Out and about | New York City, NY | December 5, 2023

Jimmy Choo x Jean Paul Gaultier ‘Leather Wedge Pumps’ - $2,450.00

One of Taylor’s go-to heel brands is Jimmy Choo so opting for this brand doesn’t necessarily come as a surprise, but what does is the bolder choice to go with this limited edition shoe co-designed with JPG.

The design takes what’s otherwise a regular pointed black pump and gives it a twist with a plexi wedge heel - modernizing the stiletto and also giving it an artistic form.

The pointed toe is also not typically something that Taylor opts for, but its elongated silhouette once again (to me) calls back to that Miss Americana red carpet outing where she also (again, rare occasion) opted for pointed toe boots. Given that in the last week we’ve seen multiple high profile business accomplishments in the press by Taylor (highest grossing tour by Billboard, Most Intriguing Person by People, 5th most powerful woman in the world by Forbes), it doesn’t feel like a stretch to me that she’d be revelling in a shoe that feels more powerful by extension and business-y.

Another fun fact? The wedge was designed to reference the “iconic architectural landmarks of the two brands’ home cities: Paris with the Tour Eiffel and London with Big Ben asymmetrically encased inside each heel.” An interesting homage.

Worn with: Stella McCartney coat and skirt, VRAI + Jacquie Aiche + Louis Vuitton jewelry, and Sheertex tights

Photo by James Devaney via Getty


image

Out and about | New York City, NY | December 5, 2023

Stella McCartney ‘Frayed Checked Wool Blend Tweed Mini Skirt’ - $975.00

Just the other day in stories I was talking about the history of Taylor and mini skirts and how - especially as we approach the end of 2023 - that this year has seen quite a revival for them in her candid fashion.

While it’s fun to see Taylor’s style come to fruition in the moment, I very much think that consideration for an ‘era’ as a whole can really only be done in hindsight once we have a birds eye view of the time period in order to be able to really pull out trends, commonalities, and patterns.

In this current moment, a wool tweed mini (esp paired with designed tights - another closet staple Taylor has a long history with) feels preppy, smart, and wintery. Almost Gossip Girl-esque!

Worn with: Stella McCartney coat, VRAI + Jacquie Aiche + Louis Vuitton jewelry, Sheertex tights, Jimmy Choo x Jean Paul Gaultier heels

Photo by James Devaney via Getty


THEME