She’s had such a firm grip on the music industry for so long that it’s a little surprising to remember that Taylor Swift’s first album was released nearly two full decades ago. It would be rude to call her a cultural figure. She is a complete touchstone and has been mentioned in books, movies, speeches, university courses, TV shows, and of course songs by other artists. However, when considering her musical influences, it’s important to repeatedly mention her aesthetic, which fluctuates with the album cycle she’s currently in. Swift’s best hairstyles are certainly ones that are not just simply beautiful to look at, but also ones that reflect what she’s trying to convey musically in a given year.
When Swift first started gaining serious attention in 2006, her butter-blonde curls were as ever present as her acoustic guitar. For her ever-growing fan base, it was understandably a big deal when she decided to straighten her curls on a rare occasion. As she grew beyond the country genre, her look evolved as well. The mod style she adopted during 2012’s Red promotion was reflected in pin-straight bangs, and just two years later, when it was time to explore a more ’80s sound, her shaggy bob Appeared. 2019’s neon-filled Lover featured dyed pink tips, and the following year’s Folklore featured quirky, cottagecore-perfect braids.
But through all the changes, Swift has managed to keep every cut, length, style, and color distinctly personal. In fact, it’s not entirely dissimilar to her musical evolution. Get inspired by her best hair moments ever.
Princess style headpiece, 2009
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Swift’s hair has remained largely unchanged throughout her first three album cycles, with her natural curly texture accentuated by modern side bangs, glossy shine, and her obsession with ball gowns and fairy tales of white horses. She complemented her look with dazzling accessories.
Up-and-coming sophistication, 2012
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As Swift moved into her twenties, she began adopting styles from more recent (albeit still very retro) eras. She embraced her vintage fashion sense and extended that vibe to her beauty choices. This was around the time she adopted red lipstick as a signature. Her hairstyles have also become more grown-up, like this flapper-style faux bob.
big cut, 2014
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Swift’s leap into a full-on pop sound coincided with another major change. She cut her waist-length hair into a choppy bob and started letting her bouffant bangs flow to the side backstage after the show. The off-the-shoulder chop became her calling card throughout the 1989 era.
Bleached bob, 2016
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Fans know this short-lived look by one word: “Bleachella.” Swift debuted the punky white blonde color during Coachella’s Instagram Live, showcasing a unique, bold, yet divisive look she’ll wear throughout the spring and into part of the summer. Think of this as a bridge between 1989 and 2017’s Reputation.
candy color dye, 2019
Inspired by the sounds of the ’60s, Swift wanted her hair to feel as light, free, and happy as her album Lover. She began her promotional cycle with blue stripes and dip-dyed pink ends to match her color-heavy wardrobe, both onstage and off.
Bangs are gone, 2020
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It’s a somewhat shocking sight. Swift first cut her bangs in 2010, a spur-of-the-moment decision suggested by her glam team during her first Vogue shoot. Since then, she’s only been spotted without them a few times, like this appearance at the 2020 Golden Globe Awards.
Cottage Core Buns, 2021
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Another solidly themed moment came at the 2021 Grammy Awards. Swift attended the event wearing a floral Oscar de la Renta dress and her hair in a braided bun, both of which fit her back-to-basics folklore era. In fact, this hairstyle is nearly identical to the one Swift wears in the photo posted alongside the album’s tracklist.
Disco Carl, 2022
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2022’s Midnights concept album may not have sounded very ’70s sonically, but Swift leaned heavily into the decade’s aesthetic during its promotion. She looked fresh off the disco dance floor with her perfectly bouffant curls, especially paired with a gold-studded jumpsuit.
Her “era”, 2023
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If Swift had an avatar, it would be this hairstyle: classic bangs, pin-straight texture, and natural dark blonde color. It’s significant that she chose this look for her career-spanning Elas tour, which has a universal feel that fits perfectly with 20 years worth of albums.
Relaxed charm, 2024
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Despite the release of her new album in April, much of 2024 featured Swift not really sticking to any script in terms of aesthetics. Although she likes to experiment with updos and accessories, she is most often seen with a simple brush-through blowout.
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