We Never Go Out of Style - Featuring Sarah Chapelle of Taylor Swift Style
New AP Taylor Swift podcast episode alert! Show & Tell - Style available now
This week we had the INCREDIBLE pleasure of talking to the one and only
of Taylor Swift Style (which is a book, a blog, and an instagram account!) to chat about style, Taylor’s style, and how it connects to her art. Then us three hosts dived into discussing some of Taylor’s songs about style, and how Taylor uses the concept of style to communicate a message.Click above to tune in to our full conversation, and keep scrolling for this week’s extra credit from Jenn on her favorite bits of Taylor Swift Style by Sarah Chapelle!
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🎒This Week’s Extra Credit - Brought to You by Jenn
When it comes to Taylor Swift, fashion is art. This week, I got my hands on my copy of Taylor Swift Style, and y’all it’s just so good! We said this in our episode, but truly Sarah has elevated the conversation around Taylor’s fashion. Sarah has pivoted the narrative to be about Taylor’s fashion evolution from simply setting trends to telling stories, all while keeping the focus squarely on the music and the art, rather than on gossip or personal drama. I think that’s why her work resonates so deeply with us as fans, and especially why it aligns with how we run this podcast—keeping the conversation centered on Taylor’s work and her cultural impact.
Here are a few moments from the book that I can’t stop thinking about!
She’s a Mirrorball
Right off the bat, Sarah’s analysis of Taylor’s iconic sparkly dresses in her early career hits all the right notes. I mean, who among us didn’t feel our pupils dilating a little when Taylor would step out in one of those flirty, shimmering mini-dresses? In her book, Sarah captures that "effervescent joy" we all felt seeing her shine, not just on the stage but in the metaphorical sense, too.
As Sarah writes, those dresses were more than a fashion choice—they were part of Taylor’s response to the scrutiny of growing up female in the public eye, as she reflected on the fleeting nature of being “the shiny new toy.” It’s such a perfect description of the push-pull between femininity, fame, and the pressure to constantly reinvent yourself.
It’s a theme we’ve seen Taylor revisit so many times (hello “Clara Bow”), but to think that Taylor has been choosing clothes with this in mind since she was a teen is wild. Like you are telling me that little baby-faced girl in the picture above was already wrestling with feeling like a “shiny new toy?” It makes me want to riot.
She Comes Back From the Dead All the Time
This idea of transformation continues in Sarah’s deep dive into 1989 (and really, every era, but 1989 was pivotal). Taylor’s fashion-forward, bold matching sets were a totally new look for her. I feel like I, personally, remember the haircut the most, but reading Taylor Swift Style, I was able to start to see the whole picture of the intentionality that went on with that rebrand.
When Taylor made her move into the pop world, she didn’t just change her sound—she rebranded her entire image, and Sarah captures that moment beautifully. There’s something so striking about the way she describes Taylor’s ascent, not just as a pop star but as a literal towering figure, strutting through New York City in six-inch heels. We may see sweet matching sets, but the choice to start wearing heels is giving some early “Vigilante Shit” vibes that I had never really pieced together. That visual—Taylor reclaiming her space, owning her height, and fully embracing her power—feels like such a boss move, and Sarah paints it in a way that makes you feel the power of that decision.
In Her Fashion Era
We often talk about eras in Taylor’s music, but what Sarah’s book shows is just how deeply those eras extend to her style as well. Her look in 1989 wasn’t just a trend; it was a deliberate choice that mirrored the confidence and control she was gaining in her music career. And this is exactly the kind of analysis that makes Taylor Swift Style so compelling. It’s not just about the clothes; it’s about how those clothes speak to Taylor’s evolving sense of self and her artistic growth. Sarah shows that fashion is as much a part of Taylor’s narrative as any lyric or melody.
In different ways, the fashion she selected for the appearances tackled the hidden themes of the album she was supporting [reputation]. While her choice for the BBMAs embodied her inner softness and strength, her selection for the AMAs sought to quite literally reflect and bounce back the harsh external spotlight placed on her: she wore a mirrored Balmain mini and matching thigh-high boots.
Sarah Chapelle, Taylor Swift Styled
It’s refreshing to read a book and see thoughtful commentary that focuses so much on Taylor as an artist rather than on the tabloid noise surrounding her personal life. Sarah doesn’t waste time on the drama—she’s here to talk about the art and how Taylor uses fashion as an extension of that art. This perspective is so aligned with how we approach our podcast, and it’s one of the reasons we were so excited to have Sarah join us. She gets it. She sees Taylor for what she is: a creator, a storyteller, and a master of self-expression.
Taylor Swift Style
So, if you haven’t yet picked up Taylor Swift Style, this is your sign to do it. Whether you’re a hardcore Swiftie or just someone who appreciates fashion as a form of storytelling, there’s so much to love here. Sarah's writing will make you see Taylor’s wardrobe in a whole new light—and it’s not just sparkly dresses and matching sets. It’s a visual narrative that runs parallel to the musical one we know and love.
And if you're like me, you'll finish the book with an even deeper appreciation for how Taylor crafts her image just as carefully as she crafts her lyrics. It’s all part of the story (perhaps even part of the story of us??).