Every seasoned Swiftie knows that each new era of Taylor Swift’s prolific musical career ushers in a new set of influences that are reflected in the star’s wardrobe choices. Over the past two decades, Swift has been seen in some iconic looks that are filled with fun nods to her album concepts and lyrics. As always, it leaves plenty for her loyal fans to unpack.

Now, the pop cultural lore has taken on a refined, scholarly air, with the Victoria & Albert Museum in London opening its hotly-anticipated “Songbook Trail.” The free display of archival objects scattered across the museum’s permanent galleries tells the story of Swift’s ever-evolving style through 16 particularly memorable moments. Also on view are some of the instruments and prestigious music awards that have become accessories for the 14-time Grammy Award-winning artist.

“Each intimate encounter will celebrate a chapter in the artist’s musical journey,” said Kate Bailey, V&A’s senior curator for theatre and performance. “Taylor Swift’s songs like objects tell stories, often drawing from art, history, and literature. We hope this specially created theatrical trail across the museum will inspire the imagination of curious visitors as they discover more about the performer, her creativity, and V&A objects.”

Each look is quintessentially Swift, but there are some details that only true Swifties will appreciate. Here are our highlights.

1. “Taylor Swift” Era: Custom Cowboy Boots 

L: Dress and customized Cowboy Boots worn by Taylor Swift during the Soul2Soul II Tour on display at the Taylor Swift “Songbook Trail” display at the V&A on July 24, 2024 in London, England. Photo: Gareth Cattermole/ Getty Images. R: Taylor Swift from the Soul2Soul Tour performance in 2007. Photo courtesy of TAS Rights Management, LLC.

Swift’s very first fans will remember how she burst onto the scene in 2006 with a self-titled country album featuring such hillbilly hits as starry-eyed debut single Tim McGraw and yearning ballad Teardrops On My Guitar. In performances from this time, the Nashville teen sensation can be seen in trademark blonde curls, strumming an acoustic guitar, and wearing flowing summer dresses. The standout item? A pair of custom-made turquoise cowboy boots inscribed with her name. Yee-haw!

2. “1989” Era: Sparkly Jessica Jones Bomber Jacket 

L: An ensemble designed by Jessica Jones worn on the 1989 World Tour is displayed at the Taylor Swift “Songbook Trail” at the V&A in London, United Kingdom. Photo: Wiktor Szymanowicz/Future Publishing via Getty Images. R: Taylor Swift on The 1989 World Tour in 2015. Photo courtesy of TAS Rights Management, LLC.

After several years spent wearing Renaissance-style dresses and belting about boys called Romeo, Taylor Swift was ready to update her look by about six centuries for the launch of her first major pop album “1989” in 2014. Still, she complimented her heavy reliance on eighties-style synths with a retro-inspired wardrobe featuring items like a glitzy, heavily sequined bomber jacket in shades of purple and pink. Some things never go out of style!

3. “Reputation” Era: Snake-Decorated Sennheiser Microphone 

L: Sennheiser microphone used by Taylor Swift in 2018. Photo courtesy of TAS Rights Management, LLC. R: Taylor Swift performs at Optus Stadium on October 19, 2018 in Perth, Australia. Photo: Don Arnold/TAS18/Getty Images.

After a hiatus spent in hiding after her very public beef with Kim Kardashian and Kanye West, Swift re-emerged in late 2017 with the album “Reputation,” a trove of upbeat revenge anthems like Look What You Made Me Do. Reclaiming the snake 🐍 emoji that Kardashian used in her notorious Internet smear campaign against Swift, the pop star imbued her tour apparatus with hissing serpents big and small. You needed an extra good eye to detail to spot this bejeweled reptile slithering up her mic.

4. “Folklore” Era: A Cardigan (Obviously)

Installation of Taylor Swift “Songbook Trail” at the V&A in London, England. Photo courtesy of the V&A.

Swift surprised the masses in the summer of 2020 when she showed us all how hard she’d been working over lockdown. Teaming up with The National’s Aaron Desner, she released her 8th album “Folklore.” The tracklist featured mellow, indie folk songs filled with imagined stories, including lead single Cardigan, about a long past love affair as remembered by the fictitious female character Betty. Though Taylor Swift was not able to perform the song in public, she released a music video in which she wore the cardigan that would go on to become a fan favorite piece of merch.

 

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A post shared by Ana 🩷💐✨ (@petitdesordree)

The new cardigan is the exact one she wears in the music video!!! Just slightly different than the og one dropped! The og one said “folklore album” pic.twitter.com/1LmOwX0AKr

— 𝙺𝚛𝚒𝚜𝚝𝚎𝚗⸆⸉ 🤍 (@perfectlyfine89) July 24, 2024

5. “Tortured Poets Department” Era: Gothic Victoriana Black Dress 

L: Installation of Taylor Swift “Songbook Trail” at the V&A in London, England. Photo courtesy of the V&A. R: Image still from music video Fortnight (feat. Post Malone) by Taylor Swift in 2024. Photo courtesy of TAS Rights Management, LLC.

Swift’s latest album “The Tortured Poets Department” (2024) is packed full of literary references, and even one to Impressionist art. We know the pop star loves history’s literary greats, having previously paid homage to figures like Emily Dickinson and William Wordsworth in her earlier albums. The gothic style of a tortured poet was channeled via the jet-black, Victorian-inspired ruffled shoulder dress worn by Taylor Swift in her music video for lead single Fortnight.

“Taylor Swift: Songbook Trail” is on view for free at the V&A in South Kensington, London until September 8, 2024.