12 Tortured Poets Department Looks We’re Recreating Until Taylor’s Album Drops
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After Taylor Swift announced that she would be releasing a new album, The Tortured Poets Department, at the 66th Annual Grammy Awards on February 4, 2024, the internet has been in a frenzy. When was this album recorded? (Surely, it couldn’t have been during her worldwide Eras Tour, we said.) Had she been giving us hints this entire time while we all impatiently waited for the re-recordings of Taylor Swift and Reputation?
Based on the artwork and music videos that have come from TTPD, we can see that she was giving us hints the entire time, courtesy of her most recent streetwear looks. Recorded shortly after she finished her last new album, Midnights, the Tortured Poets aesthetic that she has been serving both looks and feels like it’s channeling Dead Poets Society with a little Folklore mixed in for good measure. Her recent wardrobe has largely included academia-inspired pieces, such as houndstooth prints, blazers, and you guessed it, lots and lots of pleated mini skirts.
So, now that The Tortured Poets Department was released April 19, 2024 (also National Poetry And Creative Mind Day for those keeping track), we decided that the best way to get into the Swiftie spirit was to recreate some of her most iconic recent outfits. And, while we might not have the budget that Taylor does, we have found affordable ways to replicate her looks and make it our own!
Leather Blazer & Skirt
A combination of sexy and tailored (no pun intended), this look is full of the earthy tones that we’ve come to associate with private colleges and stacks of textbooks. We love when a look combines staple pieces—a mini skirt and blazer (whether you prefer faux leather or not) are items that you can wear on repeat with a variety of looks.
Taylor’s Version:
Our Version:
Thigh High Boots & Short Skirts
When Swift was seen out in this ultra-sexy ensemble, most immediately though that the thigh high leather boots were signaling the upcoming release of Reputation (Taylor’s Version). However, it’s clear that this was simply a way to put a sultry spin on an otherwise simple school girl outfit. Since the focus of the outfit is on these statement boots, she kept it simple with a black top, belt, and leather bag. If you don’t think that you can pull off the sky-high boots, a pair of knee high black boots, coupled with opaque black tights, could give you a similar look.
Taylor’s Version:
Our Version:
Black & White Boho
Perhaps one of the first things that many noticed when Swift released the artwork for Tortured Poets was the album’s black and white theme. We can see this look translated into her everyday wardrobe with a loose white blouse and black denim shorts. Of all of the outfits on this list, we think that this is easily one of the simplest to recreate!
Taylor’s Version:
Our Version:
Professor Chic
Perhaps no other outfit on this list looks and feels more like Dead Poets Society to us than this one. This long coat pairs well with a matching skirt and an otherwise neutral color palette that includes her other oft-featured closet favorite, black tights. To finish out the look, Taylor wore a pair of simple black heels. While this look might feel a bit sexy professor, if you want to recreate it for the office, simply switching out the mini skirt for a longer length will instantly create the business appropriate look that you are going for.
Taylor’s Version:
Our Version:
Trousers & Shoulder Baring Tops
Another staple item that has been a trending fashion item for over a year now: the menswear-inspired trouser! These business casual pants have been taken out of the office and given a new life in both casual and dinner looks. Here, Taylor stuck to her same familiar palette of muted tones and kept her pants as the statement piece. The best part about this look? You might just have a pair of trousers already in your closet. Simply add a fitted tank, tee, or bodysuit and you’re ready to go!
Taylor’s Version:
Our Version:
Oversized Sweaters & Plaid Mini Skirts
Taylor somehow makes this rolled-out-of- bed-at-Hogwarts outfit look instantly chic. With an oversized baggy sweater and a pleated mini skirt, the look feels like the perfect combination of cool and sexy. After all, don’t we all want to look effortlessly cool?
Taylor’s Version:
Our Version:
Shirt Dresses & Long Jackets
Another common theme that we see in Taylor’s recent looks is the pairing of long jackets with simple dresses. In this case, she has turned the school uniform into a nighttime look, but for a more toned down version, we paired a similar long jacket with a shirt dress. With tall boots—that you could pair with or without tights—this is another outfit that could be styled appropriately for work or dressed up when you want to go out on the town.
Taylor’s Version:
Our Version:
Shop:
Coat |
Sweater Dress |
Boots |
Handbag |
Necklace
All Black Everything
As we mentioned before, one hallmark of the upcoming TTPD aesthetic is the black and white color palette. This is another simple everyday look that we love that is easy to put together, especially if you’re not a fan of skirts or bare legs. Take a simple tee, style it with black jeans—choose your favorite style, but wide leg denim or mom jeans lean into current trends—and finish it with your favorite black boots. If it’s still cold in your area, keep the monochromatic look going with a black coat!
Taylor’s Version:
Our Version:
Denim Coats & Short Dresses
What can we say? Taylor loves to pair a short dress and a long jacket with tall boots. Another outfit that is easy to recreate, you can substitute her long denim jacket for a trench coat or oversized trucker jacket to fit your aesthetic. And of course, a great pair of tall brown or black boots can be part of any year round capsule wardrobe.
Taylor’s Version:
Our Version:
Shop:
Denim Coat |
Dress |
Boots |
Handbag |
Necklace
Outfit Repeater
Even though she may be a billionaire, it doesn’t mean that she can’t repeat a look! Much like the oversized sweater and skirt above, this combination of a sweatshirt and plaid mini is easy, simple, and effortlessly cool.
Taylor’s Version:
Our Version:
Asymmetrical Tops & Skirts
Back to her TTPD roots, this grey and black look features the same pleated mini skirt style that she’s been seen wearing everywhere, as well as another shoulder baring top. This tank is an easy-to-style option for the spring and summer months and can be worn on its own for a sexier take on a traditional tank or underneath a blazer or coat.
Taylor’s Version:
Our Version:
Shearling Jacket and Skirt
The last look on our list is another school-girl inspired outfit that combines a fitted cardigan with a plaid skirt. However, Taylor also chose to pair it with a thick, oversized shearling jacket. We think this coat could be worn just as easily with a pair of jeans or trousers and can also make for a good outerwear option to transition throughout the seasons.
