Taylor Swift recently announced the release of her new album, The Tortured Poets Department, and the completion of her awards cycle for this project marks the beginning of her next era, Reputation (Taylor’s Version). Fans have been speculating about the arrival of the Reputation era, especially after Swift appeared at the 2024 Golden Globes wearing a custom green sequined Gucci dress. Swift often associates different colors with her albums and uses fashion to drop hints or “Easter eggs” about her music. The color green, snakes, and plaid all symbolize her gritty album, Reputation, which she is now revisiting and re-recording.
Swift’s choice to reclaim snakes, green, and the color green came after she faced online harassment in 2016, when Kim Kardashian referred to her as a snake on Twitter in the midst of drama surrounding Kanye West’s song “Famous.” This incident led to Swift creating Reputation, her most personal and daring album up to that point. Swift used the snake imagery to send a message to her fans about resilience in the face of online bullying and negativity. As she revisits Reputation for Taylor’s Version, Swift incorporates snakeskin boots and snake-themed accessories into her fashion choices, paying homage to the era that was defined by the symbol of the snake.
In addition to snakes, Swift also uses plaid as a visual representation of the grunge aesthetic that was prevalent during her Reputation era. Collaborating with fashion icons like Vivienne Westwood, known for her punk designs, Swift infuses her wardrobe with elements that reference this rebellious and bold period in her music career. From punky Dior dresses at the VMAs to stylish Monday Night Football looks, Swift’s fashion choices continue to reflect her evolving music and artistic vision as she re-records and reimagines Reputation (Taylor’s Version).
The connection between Swift’s fashion and music is highlighted through her use of color, symbolism, and personal experiences in her style choices. Swift’s deliberate nods to her past through her clothing illustrate her growth as an artist and her willingness to revisit and reinterpret previous eras of her career. By incorporating elements like snakeskin patterns, green hues, and plaid fabrics into her outfits, Swift honors the legacy of the Reputation era while signaling a new chapter in her musical journey.
As Swift prepares to embark on the American leg of her Eras tour, fans eagerly anticipate the release of Reputation (Taylor’s Version) and the visual and sonic transformations that will accompany this reimagined album. Swift’s ability to seamlessly blend fashion and music, incorporating personal narratives and symbolism into her style choices, continues to captivate and inspire her audience. With each new era, Swift proves her versatility as an artist and her dedication to authenticity and self-expression through her music and fashion.
