Cover Girl: Taylor Swift for Vogue Magazine

Posted on Jan 18, 2012 in Fashion

We’re always really hard on this little chickie because we find her toothache-inducing sweetness to be slightly insincere and her style to be somewhat… well… style-less; a version of an ingenue persona she seems to have picked up from Disney cartoons. It’s not that we have anything against Professional Virgins; the entertainment industry has a line of them stretching back a century and it served many of them quite well, we just think there’s a right way and a wrong way to dress that kind of persona and in our eyes, Swift’s always defaulted to the wrong way.

Well. Trust those bitches at Vogue to get it right.

Taylor Swift featured in the February 2012 issue of Vogue photographed by Mario Testino.

True, that’s probably heavier makeup than she normally sports, but what we love here is that she looks young, fresh, and girlish but she also looks chic and stylish and of the moment. Tay, we’re not suggesting you go out looking like this all the time, but maybe you could consider something closer to this for your personal style and ditch the twee little skirts and sweaters.

[Photo Credit: vogue.com]

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http://twitter.com/ILikeShiny Cindi Williams

Wow! I never thought I’d type this, but Taylor Swift looks so fashion in that pic. Awesome!
Anonymous

Wow, I didn’t even recognize her at first. The straight hair looks lovely. She’s always sporting princess-y ~*ringlets*~ of hair to go with her Disney look, so this is refreshing.
- Anonymous
  
  Yes, and the ringlets never work on her! It’s infuriating.
  - http://pulse.yahoo.com/_EDI2DLE7DE3YPW2ONIHBWOVHMA ecallaw
    
    I’m not typically a Taylor Swift defender, but the girl has naturally curly hair. The straight hair is nice for a change, but I don’t think she should have to straighten it just so she looks less princess-y.
    - Anonymous
      
      I can dig that. I was thinking of the obviously artificial, overly defined big ringlets, not her natural, smaller ones. The former seem very Life-Size Barbie to me. I bet if they left her hair alone more I would like it better.
    - MilaXX
      
      I don’t think it’s so much the fact that she wears her hair curly.
      Julianna Margoles wears her hair curly as well. It’s just the whole virginal lookTaylor usually goes for when she wears her hair curly. I think this look could have worked with her hair in loose curls. It’s the makeup and styling in addition to the blow out that make this such a departure from her standard look.
mahar mangahas

She’s giving serious ScarJO face here. Love it!
http://www.facebook.com/mary.nease Mary Nease

And I still hate her. Between her being on the Hunger Games soundtrack and being offered the role of Eponine in the Les Mis movie (both things that she has no business being a part of, but is being included to seduce the tween market, ew), she seems determined to pee on everything I love.
- Anonymous
  
  I actually like her song for the soundtrack.
  - http://www.facebook.com/mary.nease Mary Nease
    
    But it’s not her song. It’s a Civil Wars song that has Taylor singing on it. There’s really no reason for her to be included in the song, especially given that the female Civil Wars member sounds so much better than her, other than to provide a “big name” to draw in listeners/viewers.
    - Denny Li
      
      Thank you! I liked “Safe and Sound” but could not buy it after having heard Taylor Swift ‘singing’ at music award shows. You are so right… the Civil Wars singer Joy Williams is so damn much better… it’s really a shame.
- http://twitter.com/starrika Ali
  
  I didn’t hate her before, but I do now after the Eponine thing. I mean, really?!
- Anonymous
  
  Better her than Lea Michele for Eponine. I don’t care how well she thinks she sings, I don’t want to spend the entire movie wanting to see Eponine socked in her over singing, horribly overacting smug face. I’d rather concentrate on the UST between Valjean and Javert.
  - http://www.facebook.com/mary.nease Mary Nease
    
    But Lea Michele is actually qualified to play Eponine. Her Broadway debut was playing Young Cosette and she was offered the part of Eponine in the Broadway revival (which she turned down so she could continue with Spring Awakening), and then she actually played Eponine in the Hollywood Bowl production. And it’s not like Eponine has a huge role. Her key moment is “On My Own”, an iconic song that I’d rather have sung and performed well by a so-so actress than butchered by a horrible actress.
    - http://twitter.com/starrika Ali
      
      And since Taylor Swift can neither sing nor act sufficiently for the part, I fail to see how that’s an improvement.
    - Anonymous
      
      I find Taylor Swift inoffensive. Lea Michele I find offensive – I have to instantly hit mute or change the channel whenever that god awful commercial she’s in comes on tv because her voice is like nails on a chalkboard to me. So yea, I’d rather it be pretty much anyone else than her.
      - http://www.facebook.com/mary.nease Mary Nease
        
        I can’t stand her character on Glee, but in actual musicals Lea delivers. Her Wendla in Spring Awakening was exquisite. I think part of the grating voice/over-singing performances you see from her are less Lea and more Rachel, as in she’s singing how the character would.
  - Anonymous
    
    Have you seen the Hollywood Bowl performance? She’s actually quite good. Instead of the scream-belting that Glee has forced her into, she’s actually, y’know, singing. Dig it: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x5a5xc9woZo
- Anonymous
  
  Plus, I really want to like The Lorax (I like some kids’ movies, so sue me), but SHE IS IN IT. Dear film industry, please stop trying to make Taylor Swift happen, oy.
- http://twitter.com/anacedillo Ana Cedillo
  
  hahaha i love the way you put it, she really has no reason to be peeing all over everything good.
http://joyouslifesf.wordpress.com Kiltdntiltd

OMG! She looks like an actual grown up! Who’da thunk it? And she looks HOT too boot.
Anonymous

i always give her a break because she is harmless & i would rather see her than “others”. i think she looks adorable.
- BerlinerNYC
  
  Right. A friend of mine has teen/tween daughters, and while she is sick of hearing T-Swif in the car, she’s also relieved it’s her and not someone else, because it gets SO MUCH WORSE, either in terms of sad slutty images of femininity or musically banal things like Bieber. She’s the least of the evils out there. (Also, a bar I go to occasionally plays that video where she plays both the girl next door and the popular girl, and her playing the queen bee is actually pretty hilarious. Guilty pleasure.)
  - Anonymous
    
    I agree. While “It could be worse” is not a ringing endorsement it’s still an endorsement of sorts. She’s not an embarrassment to have to explain or someone who’s songs you have to turn off when they come on the radio in the car (trust me it’s both funny and horrifying when you hear your 5 year old singing the chorus to ‘teenage dream’).
  - Anonymous
    
    I have a 6-year-old girl, and I have to agree. It’s gross when little girls copy slutty big girls.
Anonymous

Wow.
Anonymous

Did. Not. Recognize. I am actually shocked. Who knew she could look so amazing?

I would still rather light myself on fire than listen to her music though. She should send Kanye West a big ol’ daily bouquet of flowers for making her even slightly relevant to the masses.
Anonymous

I have no opinion of her music and I really did not recognize her…she looks fantastic. I’d take a million of her over a Kartrashian or a Lohan anyday.
http://twitter.com/thelilerin erin l.

She looks a wee bit like Reese in these shots.

And while I do agree that she looks amazing, shame on the other kittens who blasted her curls. Total inspiration for me who used to be afraid of going out without her hair straight.
Anonymous

What is truly amazing is that she doesn’t seem airbrushed – it looks like an actual unretouched photo. Granted, she has no flaws, but that usually doesn’t stop the wand of photoshop. Kudos to Vogue.
- Anonymous
  
  That (and the hat) might be part of the reason it reminded me of a glamour or seventeen cover from 1978.
  - Anonymous
    
    Seventeen cover from 1978 was my exact thought!
  - Anonymous
    
    Except, there is no daisy. Wasn’t a daisy, somewhere, de rigueur?
- http://pulse.yahoo.com/_26QG22FL4HVT7ZA46F4EE4UEXY amyw
  
  I was thinking that too- she might be wearing more eye makeup than normal, but she’s wearing way less foundation/powder. She looks great a little freckly.
Anonymous

I have always been amazed that she is constantly turned out as the fairy princess by her stylists. Nashville (full disclosure – I work on Music Row) favors the fresh-faced princess look to sell to the conservative masses, but she is in her own little stratosphere with access to some top notch stylists. She’s also a blank slate just begging for decent clothes. She is tall, thin and a born clothes-horse if only she would step up and remake her image. This is a great start.
- Anonymous
  
  I agree with you. I think she is very smart to take it slowly. Remember how horrifying it was when Christina Aguileria became Xtina? A slower image evolution feels more authentic, even if it is totally calculated.
Anonymous

This photo is amazeballs.
Anonymous

I’m liking it. It’s actually the first Vogue cover I’ve liked in quite some time (I’m still holding out hope that they’ll return to actual models).
- Anonymous
  
  I too long for the return of actual models on the cover instead of the usual line-up of actresses and singers.
Anonymous

I would not have known that was Taylor Swift if you hadn’t said so. She reminds me of a cross between Penelope Tree and Brigitte Bardot in that picture.
Anonymous

Imma let you finish, but Beyonce has one of the best Vogue covers of all time.
Anonymous

how’d they get her to open her eyes, and not do that awful squinty expression she usually wears?
Dawn Cozart

Love the pic! I actually like the Hunger Games song too (thanks Civil Wars). The thought of her as Eponine still sickens me though.
Anonymous

Wow. She looks freakimg amazing on this cover. This looks like it could be a ’70s-era Vogue cover, but that isn’t necessarily a complaint. Well done Swift Team and Vogue.
http://toodles.yelp.com AWStevens

I could care less about this woman… HEY! TLO! What’s up with no critiques of “Pan Am”? Is it because they are getting canceled? What’s the dilio?
http://profiles.google.com/sara.e.munoz Sara Munoz

What do you bet she hates it??
Anonymous

I love her eye make-up! I’m always bitching that her eyes become non-existent in photos, either due to their shape or the make-up she sports, and the heavy eye-liner works for me! Amazing, I’ll bitch about Kate Middleton’s eye liner, and I like it on Taylor Swift. I never said I wasn’t a hypocrite!
Anonymous

I think she looks great. Shades of Marianne Faithful or Peggy Lipton, circa 1968.
Anonymous

One part Jean Shrimpton, one part Britt Eckland (sp?), add some Kate Moss, and a dollop of Jane Birkin. Mario Testino tends to take very very nice photos. Taylor doesn’t bug me too much. A really great hat does wonders for a pretty face and that is an awesome chapeau and a first rate make-up job.
- Anonymous
  
  Jean Shrimpton was exactly what I thought, too.
Anonymous

Wow, what gorgeous flower child!
http://twitter.com/wednesdaydreams Natalie

the shoot inside too is really unlike her style— very cool and modern. it’s very refreshing
Anonymous

She reminds me of those models on the cover of magazines in the 1970′s – that hair and the bone structure hearkens back to those images…
Judy_J

Very Julie Christie. It’s a good look for little Miss Swift.
Anonymous

MY! What big teeth you have!
Anonymous

She looks freaking adorable. And I really don’t think she’s wearing more makeup. Just different. To me she usually appears slathered in heavy makeup with the foundation giving her a fake doll look. And the red lips. Over it. Here she looks fresh and pretty and do I see freckles? Who knew?
- Anonymous
  
  Yes, the red lips thing with her is old. I wish she would change it up a little. This does look more modern and fresher.
Anonymous

Finally! Someone applied eyeliner in the proper proportions and lipstick in the right shade.

I knew she had it in her.
Anonymous

The eye make-up is way too heavy. I like the rest, though.
Anonymous

Wait, that’s not Teen Vogue? I’d love to know how well this sells.
Anonymous

I don’t know…the world doesn’t need another Olsen twin. She’s pretty here, but this is not her style.
Anonymous

No, thank you. I like the real Joni Mitchell. She’s actually talented.
- Anonymous
  
  Poor Ms. Swift! She’s a run-of-the-mill pop singer, propelled as much by hard work, drive and smart marketing as by her occasionally catchy music. It seems unfair to compare her to the likes of Ms. Mitchell, so very much better than run-of-the mill.
  - Anonymous
    
    Oh yeah, feel my pity through the internet.
    - Anonymous
      
      Hahaha! Don’t know why that cracked me up, but it did.
Brad and Anne White

I really like this look for her. Cuteness!
MilaXX

Agreed. Taylor look more like a 20year old here. I’d rather see this over the sickly sweet look she’s been rocking since she was 15.
Anonymous

Usually not a fan of hers but she looks amazing. Best I’ve ever seen her.
Anonymous

Wow, she looks great! Not like a wet weekend for a change.
http://twitter.com/RobertSanchez36 Robert Sanchez

She looks good on the cover; there’s life in her eyes. I’m shocked. She looks so awkward in those Cover Girl commercials, as if she never heard of a job called “model” before.
http://asskickingadviser.com/ Ass Kicking Adviser

Now THAT is a fabulous cover shot!
Sara__B

She does the Bridgette Bardot, mid-60s look very well. It’s a nice change for this overly sweet pretty princess.
Anonymous

This is the best she’s looked in a long time!
Anonymous

how can you tell? half her head is covered up with a hat and it appears she’s wearing a sweater? How…fashion forward?
- http://www.tomandorenzo.com Tom and Lorenzo
  
  Who said anything about being fashion forward?
Jill Roberts

For those of you who are cranky about her lack of curls, yes, her hair was flat-ironed within an inch of its life. But her usual “curl” is not real either. To get the uniform corkscrews and spirals she usually sports, a curling iron is used on blow-dried hair. I suspect she has a natural wave to her hair, but what you see in her appearances is not it. Hair is almost always fake in Hollywood.
Anonymous

YAY to the gays at Vogue. You did good.
http://twitter.com/anacedillo Ana Cedillo

yes! bravo Vogue! i couldnt agree with your annoyance with her more. really not a fan of this girl and virgin disney princess role she likes to play, but thank you for vogue for bringing some real personality out of this girl. that cover looks like the old magazine covers with models on them, its gorgeous, not to mention the artistic elements of the cover are pretty great too, and they arent always.
Anonymous

She looks like she could be Cheryl Tieg’s daughter in this pic. It shows that she can look fresh without sporting that virgin Disney princess look (a la Amy Adams in Enchanted).
Anonymous

She looks like she could be Cheryl Tieg’s daughter in this pic. It shows that she can look fresh without sporting that virgin Disney princess look (a la Amy Adams in Enchanted).
Anonymous

Hope she has this photo prominently displayed somewhere. She looks like the photo shoot version of the iconic late 60′s, early 70′s sexy waif folksinger by way of Laurel Canyon. And that was imprinted upon me as a mere duckling as A Good Look.
Anonymous

A great shot of her! She looks like a cross between Joni Mitchell and Jean Shrimpton. And in a good way!
http://twitter.com/TigerLaverada TigerLaverada

Best I’ve ever seen her look. Not to be harsh, but I’m wondering if they ‘shopped her eyes larger. Girl has the tee-ninesiest eyes I’ve ever seen. The heavy eye makeup helps.
Anonymous

She looks great, which pains me to say b/c I can’t.stand.her.
http://twitter.com/TMamBo Therese Bohn

It’s Patti Boyd 2012!! Nice!
Anonymous

Whoever did her makeup and styling deserves an award. She looks 100% better.
Anonymous

She actually looks like a grown woman here! Big improvement.
http://twitter.com/mellafe natalia h

I didn’t even recognize her.
http://profiles.google.com/padawansguide Maggie *

She reminds me so much of Pattie Boyd here, between her mouth and eyes and the vintage styling…
Anonymous

Professional Virgins. *snort*
Anonymous

I’m digging the Jean Shrimpton vibe.
Anonymous

She looks nice but the look itself is pure Joni Mitchell, circa 1969, so it’s nothing original. Taylor will NEVER be a singer or songwriter of Joni’s caliber.

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Cover Girl: Taylor Swift for Vogue Magazine

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