Taylor Swift for ELLE Magazine

Posted on Feb 12, 2013 in Fashion

Miss Tay-Tay done got herself all dolled up to T Lo’s specifications. It takes a special person to make Taylor Swift look T Lo-approved on the style front, and that special person is Joe Zee, apparently.

Taylor Swift covers the March 2013 issue of ELLE magazine photographed by Carter Smith and styled by Joe Zee in a Louis Vuitton dress.

But before we get to the clothes, Tay has a few (defensive) things she needs to get off her chest:

On her insecurity: “Middle school was what programmed me to be semi-insecure, like, all of the time. I didn’t fit in….I’d stand on the outside of the circle but I was never really in. That’s when I started to realize there’s this thing called rejection.”

On ex-boyfriends: “I don’t think I’ve ever yelled at an ex-boyfriend. Ever. I’m not a yeller. I’m not a fit thrower. If something is done, it’s done.”

On the speculation surrounding her songs and famous exes: “To me it’s just writing songs the way I always have. It’s me sitting on my bed feeling pain I didn’t understand, writing a song, and understanding it better. If people want to dissect the lyrics, that’s their right, but it’s all coming from the exact same place as where I started. It’s just something I do to feel better.”

On rumors: “I’m sure if I looked up the latest Google Alerts rumor it would say I’m chasing somebody who doesn’t like me as much as I like him – people love that angle on me. They’re like “Oh Taylor, coming on too strong again, chasing boys. I never chase boys. They don’t like it!”

That’s fascinating, dear. Do go on.

On second thought, don’t go on. We want to look at your clothes.

Saint Laurent

Oscar de la Renta

Proenza Schouler

Freaking fabulous. See? We don’t hate her. We hate the way she dresses herself. This is all pretty-girl with a soupcon of rocker chick blended in; exactly the kind of look that suits her the best at this stage of her life and career. That Saint Laurent shot is giving us life.

Let this be a lesson: No white dresses, Tay! Don’t worry, no one will think you’re a slut if you wear a color or a print.

[Photo Credit: Carter Smith for ELLE Magazine]

Tags:

http://profile.yahoo.com/BJTY6KY7LOR7MDOD6QCZUC3VVI Donna Tabor

She’s actually quite a good fashion model, isn’t she? The Saint Laurent–WOW.
- TropiCarla
  
  It’s very ANTM … but, this is the first time I’ve looked at her photos and not developed a throbbing tooth ache, so hooray for Joe Zee.
- Vickiefantastico
  
  Yes, I did a double take on the Saint Laurent pic. Gorgeous!
- A. W.
  
  She’s really tall and stunningly gorgeous in a slightly alien way, just like a fashion model. If the whole music thing didn’t pan out, I think modeling could have been a viable career choice for her.
- gabbilevy
  
  She’d be great at that… and put a lot less horrifying music out into the world. She’s quite a chameleon, it’s too bad she never takes advantage of it. All hail Joe Zee!
- TVKimmy
  
  That Saint Laurent is MAJOR!
  
  And I think that’s how Rachel Zoe sees herself in her head.
- m0r0
  
  She should be she’s 5′ 11′ and stick thin. I know it takes a little more than that but she’s got the basics.
Sobaika

The shot of her in the floppy hat is werq if there ever was one.
- MilaXX
  
  I can almost hear her saying,”How’s it hanging, stud?”
- Kayceed
  
  The ghost of Patty Hansen…
- filmcricket
  
  Except if you asked me to look at it without a caption, I’d assume it was Paris Hilton. Or maybe Nicki with blonder hair. She does look good, but she doesn’t really look like herself.
Frank_821

No shit on the Saint Laurent. Uber fierce

If Helen is the Queen of Funckinfantastica. Joe Zee is its Prime Minister. (I suppose that would make Swinton the head of its state church)
- j_anson
  
  Well, now I know where I’m emigrating next time I’m pissed off about a presidential election result.
  - http://twitter.com/mktp michael tanner
    
    You can always go to the marxist-lenninst social republic of Fan Bingbing. They luuv a good old exilé over there
- bitchybitchybitchy
  
  Queen Helen, Prime Minister Zee, and Saint Tilda! Love it!
ChiliP

She has a model body, and very conventionally attractive looks. I’m glad to see her dressed in more Fashion with a capital F clothing since she can pull it off.

….Although please tell me that dress on the cover is lined, and I’m not seeing Tay Tay underboob.
- kimmeister
  
  There’s clearly mega photoshop going on with that dress.
  - J. Preposterice
    
    I’m leaning towards photoshop/no lining, because of that bit on her leg where it comes away from her body and is transparent, and how weirdly blurry it is underneath (lining looks like lining, not like the blur tool).
    - ChiliP
      
      Exactly, you can see the outline of her hip, and the checkered pattern is no longer nude at that point. I don’t think this dress is lined…which means either: a. Taylor is wearing a nude bodysuit or b. Taylor is actually nude underneath the dress, and apparently is a fan of the Brazilian.
      - poggi
        
        or C. Taylor Swift is actually a giant programmable doll made by mattel
  - Kirsten Kirsten
    
    A serious amount of photoshopping throughout (skin smoothing, body sculpting, hair glossing etc). On the last photo they’ve seriously stuffed up the right arm, and the ankles look a bit dodgy too.
- http://profile.yahoo.com/BJTY6KY7LOR7MDOD6QCZUC3VVI Donna Tabor
  
  The dress is definitely lined. Who knows what is going on there.
StellaZafella

She’s giving mega face…even when there’s no face to see. The St Laurent is super model shit.
MilaXX

Yes! Those black pants are great on her. She’s tall & thin and could pull off a lot of the runway looks if she stopped with the white sweet look.
http://twitter.com/tangodiva Tanya Wade

I still hate her irrationally, but yes, Joe Zee is the master.
- j_anson
  
  This.
mjude

she looks great
YousmelllikeAnnaWintour

Sweetie, just shut up, keep wearing clothes like these and, if you must, sing.
DinahR

The last photo is my favorite. She looks exactly like herself, but with a difference. A dash of edge and style that wasn’t there before.
IMNAngryLiberal

Just gorgeous! Taylor should tuck Joey Zee under her arm and just take him everywhere with her. He is sooo much cuter and would be sooo much more useful than one of those little dogs the other girls carry.
FrayedMachine

God, reading anything that comes out of her mouth gives me a migraine but she, begrudgingly admittedly, does look very good in these shots. I think I’d hate her a little less if she actually dressed herself similarly.
Annabelle Archer

Do people ever go the “something” turned model route? (as opposed to the other way around) Because if she would just not sing her syrupy little songs anymore and model full time, I will happily call myself a fan of her work.
- http://onebluetree.blogspot.com/ Sara L.
  
  Okay, I am sorry that you will receive the brunt of my ire, but this is something that bothers me so much. I am getting tired of people telling musicians to stop doing what they are doing. They are creating content for you to enjoy. If you don’t like that particular artist, don’t listen to them. I am no fan of Taylor Swift, but I can appreciate that she is a somewhat talented song writer. Songwriting is not easy. Creating content is not easy. Telling Taylor Swift to stop making music so you can just look at her pretty face just rubs me the wrong way.
  
  Again, sorry, and I will probably regret this, but there you go. Off of soapbox.
  - Annabelle Archer
    
    I take the brunt and I am not offended. No apologies needed.
    I don’t listen to her. Not by choice anyway, she is so heavily played one can’t always avoid her. And I have a two teenagers, so I am exposed enough to know why I don’t care for her, as opposed to some who bash her without knowing her work.
    I get your peeve though, but my point in regards to her specifically is that she is modelesque and in my snarky opinion more talented in front of a camera than as a song writer and performer. This is not her first really fantastic editorial.
    - http://onebluetree.blogspot.com/ Sara L.
      
      Fair enough! She does look really great. And my kids are still young enough that I can dictate what we listen to. I can see problems with that later on, though, for sure. Ugh, teenagers.
Kenisha Hill Phillips

WERQ!
http://twitter.com/AShinyOConnor A Shiny O’Connor

She does modern-retro so well.

She needs to take the fully straight and fully pulled back hair with her from this shoot. 80% of her looks could be solved by ridding herself of that Disney curl with the heavy straight bangs.
Imasewsure

Love all of these. Still not much of a fan of her music but these are great – and different from each other – what a concept for non-models!! You go Ms Tay (Zee)!!
http://pulse.yahoo.com/_U5LTVYHX32MGMMXR33G7TOXVR4 Magdalena Monzerrat Ontiveros

love it!!! She looks great from head to toe in every shoot!
Funkykatt

It’s true. don’t chase boys.I agree with her.
- larshine
  
  Is she still young enough to call them boys? Really? I cannot tell if my irrational dislike of her is making me a mega-bitch or if she really is that young.
  
  Also, holy god, the Saint Laurent is totally a WERQ. Even in her.
  - RebeccaKW
    
    Well, she’s 22 or 23, but her last couple of boyfriends have been 18. I’m not sure about the kid from One Direction, but the Kennedy grandson, the one she bought a house across the street from (wait, did she actually buy it or did they break up in time for her to back out?) was still in high school when they dated.
    - larshine
      
      Fair enough – they really are boys. Lord, I feel ancient now.
  - http://twitter.com/OhFaerieNuff Laurie S. Neilsen
    
    As I once told a little girl in a class I was teaching, boys don’t really grow up; they just get taller and hairier.
  - alyce1213
    
    It’s perfectly normal for a young woman her age to call them boys. “Men” is so suit-ish.
Le_Sigh

Good lord – she needs to never ever ever give interviews. They’re almost as bad as her songs.

If she just wanted to look pretty and model it would be SO MUCH MORE INTERESTING.

Total credit to Uncle Joe Zee – for making her tolerable!
http://twitter.com/Kamilaahh Kamil

I cannot stand her – from her virginal white gowns to her pretense that she never chases boys, to her whiny, they done me WRONG songs once they break free from her clutches – but she looks freaking amazing in this. She needs to hire Joe Z. for LIFE.
Ceur

Love her in the Proenza as well, she looks great in colour and print. Re: artist turned model, it really helps that we can’t see her eyebrows, that’s usually what makes her looks less like a model.
http://twitter.com/BattyMamzelle Cate Young

Hate all of these except the cover. The cover is divine.
http://gabyrippling.tumblr.com/ Gabriella M

I feel like she and January Jones should ask Joe Zee to recommend them a good stylist. They’re similarly sort of all-american sportswear types of women with a little edge, but not too much.
Also, I am desperate for any Proenza Schouler in my life. Sigh. Them and Prabal Gurung are my current fashion lusts.
stubbornthoughts

Holy Saint Laurent. Gimme.
Anathema_Device

Love the Saint Laurent shot. The rest of the pics are pretty fab, too.
ankali

“I never chase boys. They don’t like it!”

SMACK.
SneakyKitty

Nice. She should’ve just been a model to begin with, she’s much less annoying when she’s not speaking or singing.

Don’t really care for the cover, though. It looks like she’s wearing a shower curtain.
http://www.facebook.com/people/Jessica-TallGirl-Freeman/1043623567 Jessica TallGirl Freeman

I was completely annoyed until I saw the photos. Until I imagined her doing her fake shocked face when she saw how beautiful they were. Credit where credit is due though, home girl brought it.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000905542323 Rhonda Shore

She looks great but poor Tay Tay and how very original…she didn’t fit in in Middle School.
http://gabyrippling.tumblr.com/ Gabriella M

Is the RPDR post delayed because of Fashion week? Not nagging, just missing it.
- Natalie Bryan
  
  Their hotel didn’t have Logo. Not sure if they’ve caught up yet or not.
  - http://gabyrippling.tumblr.com/ Gabriella M
    
    Oh that makes sense. Good to know.
http://profile.yahoo.com/J2VE4NE2FY2BP4QD2XOYKJGLPI Laura

Yes, all of it good
Janet B

Finally, Taylor Swift as she should look.
- OrigamiRose
  
  Seen and not heard?
Natalie Bryan

HOT DAMN! That second image is fanfreakingtabulous.
tallgirl1204

Love the Proenza– that would look good on a bunch of different bodies/ages. Love all the pics of her–
dorothea_brooke

With the hat and the hair and the gloves the legs? That is super cool.
http://twitter.com/#!/Space_Kitty Space Kitty

That Saint Laurent look is all she needs for an image rehab. Wear that shit in public and take Joe Zee as your personal savior. That man is a miracle worker.
alyce1213

The Joe Zee experience is indeed transformative. The Saint Laurent is gorgeous, but let’s not underestimate Tay in the Oscar de la Renta – that’s old school model glamour.
http://twitter.com/PhDKnitter marlie

Best she’s looked ever. Mr. Zee should style her ALL of the time.
MissAmynae

This so good!! I actually love our Tay-Tay; not only for the song “Safe and Sound”, but because she’s my 9 year old sister’s favorite. Her little friends are listening to, and emulating Rihanna, yet my angel loves Tay-Tay, Adele, and P!nk. Strong, sassy women who don’t take spit from nobody.

She looks fantastic here, and I’m glad she’s growing up and out of her assigned shell. More Zee, please!!!
decormaven

This girl has been studying the masters, and it shows. That’s major face she’s bringing to the shoot.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=790818401 Laurie Landry

Love the whole Saint Laurent look but still dislike Tay-Tay.
a_liking

WOW! middle school insecurity! what a fantastic and unusual story!
agh, seriously.
she does look amazing though — especially in the Saint Laurent and Proenza Schouler.
mhleta

See? This is all we were asking for. It wasn’t so terribly hard, was it? She looks incredible, though the “God, I’m having some bad cramps” pose in the Proenza Schouler shot is unfortunate. That pose needs to be permanently retired.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1531695734 Melinda Mary

Love it all.
prettybigkitty

Wow. She looks amazeballs. Bow down to Joe Z!
BrooklynBomber

That’s fascinating, dear. Do go on.
Ha!

LOVE the St. Laurent!
anneland

I think Taylor’s style is adorable and clearly it is “her style.” Haters on this site should leave Taylor and Michelle alone. They like to dress girly and they look cute.
http://twitter.com/TigerLaverada TigerLaverada

First time I’ve ever thought she looked fantastic. Looking at these shots makes me think she may be a better model than singer/songwriter — which I know may not be that big of a complement, depending on what one thinks of her music. But she’s killing it here. Joe Zee does rule.
margaret meyers

Ladypants look great on her, and she needs to wear them more often.
http://twitter.com/lisledanielle Danielle Lisle

Boy, if I was Taylor Swift, I’d run out and buy every single piece of clothing Saint Laurent had. Joe Zee would also live in my purse.
http://twitter.com/MajorBedhead MajorBedhead

Yeah, that Saint Laurent is stunning. She looks great in all the photos but wow, that shot is terrific.
zelavie

Wow!! Best she’s ever looked, by a lot.
Zippypie

The Saint Laurent is the way to go, Tay. All the way.
neofashionista

Go Joe Zee
TO me he did the impossible HERE
and made someone i find so Odious
Look FANTASTIC
Adriana_Paula

I’m getting a Joanie Mitchell vibe off the Saint Laurent, which is the highest possible compliment I can think of paying.
nannypoo

Who ever had a good experience in middle school? If that’s her problem, then she needs to get in line. I had my hair done today, so of course I am up to date on my celebrity gossip and I can tell you that her friends think she’s drinking too much. Just sayin’.
Peeve

Taylor may not be much of a singer, but she’s a helluva songwriter. She was hired at the age of 14 to be a songwriter for Sony Music (the youngest ever). That IS talent. Nashville has a lot of good songwriters, but that is unheard of. I know some really good writers/musicians that have shopped songs for years, with only a fraction of the success of Taylor. While her music is not in my wheelhouse, as a musician I really respect her writing chops.
- Qitkat
  
  That’s a really lovely thing for you to say, amidst the anonymous internet hatred of her.
  - Peeve
    
    Thanks! I guess I kinda respect the girl–she’s her own person, regardless of irrational internet hate. The endless parade of anonymous ingenues and pop tarts who look and dress the same gets old, and even if I’d like a different style, it’s HER style, and I think she dresses to please herself.
NYCGlamourpuss

God, I just suck, I’m a bad fashionista and a shitty Bitter Kitten! Starting with the Amanda Seyfried post, I haven’t liked anything today until Taylor Freaking Swift. I’m mortified! (And it’s not your fault, TLo, I’m just having a reverse-fashion day!)
http://twitter.com/SamH4Prez Samantha

I’ll admit I kinda hate her but these pictures are great.
…now I hate her more.
guest2visits

This all looks very beautiful – I especially like the last pic; with the grommet & pink pebbled fabric and that fantastic background.
quiltrx

These are pretty great–and that Saint Laurent one is an absolute knockout. You can stop with the Disney Princess looks, sweetheart. You’re a WOMAN…enjoy yourself!
demidaemon

“Semi-insecure” my ass. It’s a good thing she looks so good in these photos because those quotes make me want to punch her in the throat. Sorry, irrational hatred just spewed out of me.
http://twitter.com/BigBearSpeaks Big Bear

Those clothes are far more interesting than this girl will ever be.

But props due, love that cover shot.
m0r0

Really, once you purchase a nice set of boobs things start changing for you.
Qitkat

I agree that the Saint Laurent is stunning. But my favorite is the Oscar de la Renta. It reminds me of a surprise Valentine’s Day gift my mom sent me in college so long ago. It was also shorts and a top in pink. These pinks are such pretty shades that evoked that old sweet memory.
- http://twitter.com/foodycatAlicia foodycatAlicia
  
  The Oscar de la Renta is my favourite too.
  - Qitkat
    
    I just realized that you have a food blog. And I already know you like cats! I’ll be checking in from time to time.
Kirsten Kirsten

What the freak is going on with her right arm in the last photo? Photoshop fail!
Corsetmaker

She looks great here. They have certainly styled her well. Mind you I never understand the active hate as she just isn’t someone that interests me. And to be fair, if someone came away with something totally profound and intelligent in one of those interviews they’d edit it out.
http://kingderella.tumblr.com/ kingderella

wow, she looks great here. i dont know how that vuitton sheer number is not skanky, but it somehow isnt.
Claudia Fernandes

LV…of course…
anotherkate

She should wear those Saint Laurent pants every day of the week. Girl looks great.
Susan Collier

Color me impressed. And surprised. Not one “golly gee” look in the bunch. I love that mod Louis Vuitton dress!
lrober03

I love them all. I wish she wasn’t trying to hard to do a fashion model pose in the last one, but the outfit is still amazing.
Joe Zee needs to dress her everyday.
http://phantomminuet.blogspot.com/ MinAgain

She is unnaturally fond of putting her hands on her hips. And she never smiles.
http://twitter.com/DuBey2 Marie Fessler

Not only do I love these – but I think that is one of the Best Elle covers ever! Love everything about it. And the YSL (do we still say that for Saint Laurent?) look — To.Die. For.

PLEASE let her hire Joe Zee full time.
unbornfawn

This is fabulous and fun. She has never looked better.
http://twitter.com/carnivaltenten Ten Ten

I still hate her. -_- sorry!
Tuneful54

I don’t believe in glorifying women who look like they have eating disorders.
Candigirl1968

I wish they had done the whole shoot in the vein of the YSL shot. It’s different and fabulous.
peachy

omg i love those shoes in the last shot…. *swoon*
librarygrrl64

“I don’t think I’ve ever yelled at an ex-boyfriend. Ever. I’m not a yeller. I’m not a fit thrower. If something is done, it’s done.”

It’s done until she needs a new song for her album. She’s insufferable.
ccm800

Man do I dislike this character called Taylor Swift but that first pic with the brim shadow is gorgeous
Alyssa

This is the best she’s looked in quite some time! Hopefully she took some pointers away from this photo shoot!
cmjex

agreed- the saint laurent is stunning on her! I’m sorry but the pose (and color/pattern combinations) happening in the Proenza Schouler is confusing.

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Taylor Swift for ELLE Magazine

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