Let’s Get Dressed: Taylor Swift Style — Decoding Eras, Iconic Looks, and Showgirl Glam with Kirbie Johnson
Podcast: Let’s Get Dressed
Host: Liv Perez
Guest: Kirbie Johnson (Beauty and red carpet reporter, co-host of Gloss Angeles)
Date: October 6, 2025
Overview
This episode is a dedicated deep-dive into Taylor Swift’s seismic influence on fashion, beauty, and celebrity branding, coinciding with the release of her new album, Life of a Showgirl. Host Liv Perez and guest Kirbie Johnson examine how Swift’s fashion choices, marketing genius, and relatable style have not only defined musical eras but also redefined standards for celebrity authenticity and trendsetting, both on and off the stage.
They break down Swift’s strategic use of color, clothing, and makeup; discuss her avoidance of high fashion trappings; explore the calculated ways she engages with beauty brands (or resists them); dissect trend cycles she touches off (hello, orange!); and playfully speculate about her much-discussed wedding look. The conversation is informal, analytical, and packed with insider observations relevant to Swifties, fashion fans, and pop culture watchers alike.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Taylor Swift’s Relatability and Intentional Style (05:11–08:55)
- Relatable Aesthetic: Kirbie emphasizes that many of Swift’s style and beauty choices are intentionally approachable, keeping her connected to her fanbase rather than “serving high fashion.”
“I like that she doesn’t do what we all think she should be doing... That’s all intentional and it’s to keep herself relatable to her fan base.” — Kirbie [05:11]
- Strategic Branding: Each Swift “era” has distinct visuals and moods, meticulously constructed to tell a cohesive story that her audience can participate in.
- Avoidance of Fashion Shows and Runways: Both note that Swift rarely attends or participates in fashion shows—a point of differentiation that keeps her grounded while avoiding the "high fashion girl" label.
- Consistency & Theming: Even when critique surfaces (e.g., street style discourse), Liv and Kirbie agree her sticking to a thematic look is powerful and intentional:
“She sticks to the era, the theme. Like, we know what we’re getting.” — Kirbie [08:01]
2. Brand Partnerships and Beauty Campaigns (10:56–14:13)
- Minimal Direct Endorsements: Swift is notably selective about beauty and fashion partnerships, a stark contrast to peers like Olivia Rodrigo and Sabrina Carpenter.
- Total Narrative Control: Her refusal to attach herself to external brands is seen as both a risk-mitigating move (avoiding brand controversies) and a move toward Beyoncé-esque control of her own iconography.
“She doesn’t want to be aligned with a brand that could get canceled for something... She is meticulous about who she aligns herself with.” — Kirbie [12:21]
- No Swift Beauty Line: The hosts debate the likelihood (or lack thereof) of a Taylor-branded beauty line, both ultimately agreeing that it would not feel authentic—her “deep cut” fragrance moment from the Speak Now era aside.
3. Trendsetting Power: The Orange Era & Beyond (14:31–18:39)
- The Orange Effect: Following Life of a Showgirl’s announcement, the beauty and media world erupted with pitches and content about “orange” as the new shade—even infiltrating interior design trends.
“Architectural Digest has a story about how Taylor Swift has influenced colors within the interior design world... It’s not just fashion and beauty—it’s everything.” — Kirbie [16:27]
- Skepticism and Impact: While Kirbie wonders whether fans will truly adopt orange makeup, Liv points out Swift could very well drive an “orange beauty” microtrend if she continues to lean in. The red lip, however, remains the most iconic detail.
- Makeup as Era Signature: The transition from red to nude or orange lips is scrutinized, with Kirbie revealing possible product identifications (e.g., Pat McGrath Elson 4, Nars Morocco):
“Will people run to the store to pick it up [Nars Morocco]... Obviously. Will we ever find out? We don’t know.” — Kirbie [20:57]
4. Fashion Statements & Cultural Imprints (18:39–23:27)
- Stage Iconography: Swift’s looks are so recognizable they’ve become Halloween mainstays. Kirbie highlights the Eras Tour bejeweled bodysuit, winged eyeliner, and especially the red lip:
“If you’re doing Taylor Swift and you don’t have a red lip, you’re doing it wrong.” — Kirbie [19:27]
- Accessory Power: Friendship Bracelets & Watches: Liv identifies friendship bracelets as a unique form of grassroots fashion trend, and together they praise the understated flex of Swift’s Cartier Tank watch—a discerning nod to luxury that’s simultaneously “one of us.”
“The Cartier watch—I have dreams about this watch. That is such a flex.” — Kirbie [24:03]
- High-Low Marketing Mastery: Swift doesn’t “shill” for products, instead using her own life and wardrobe (e.g., the orange Gucci dress, Vivienne Westwood bridal dress) as “silent advertisements” that generate organic demand.
5. Wedding Look Speculation and Signature Style (27:12–29:08)
- Anticipation & Fantasies: Both speculate on Swift’s potential wedding look—will she choose iconic Vivienne Westwood, all-American Ralph Lauren, or something understated and Carolyn Bessette-inspired?
“I’d love to see her hair straight with the bangs, like a curtain bang... maybe just a low, soft pony. I just want it to look like this is me.” — Kirbie [28:24]
- Signature vs. Public Persona: Liv muses about the difference between Swift’s public “signature look” and her private self, suggesting we’ll never truly know the latter.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- On Swift’s Fashion Intention
“Why are you committed to not serving right now?... There has to be a reason for it. She is a mastermind, and it really is because she has a vision of what she wants each particular era of her life to emulate and to represent.” — Kirbie [05:11]
- On Her Avoidance of Trend-Chasing
“If she walked out tomorrow in something that Schiaparelli showed on the runway yesterday, I’d be like, that’s confusing…that’s just not what the brand has been.” — Liv [09:40]
- On the Orange Trend After the Album Drop
“I got a ton of pitches. Once Life of a Showgirl was announced about orange…does anybody really care? Do people want to wear orange on their face? I don’t know…But then, Architectural Digest has a story about how Taylor Swift has influenced colors within the interior design world.” — Kirbie [14:48–16:27]
- On Her Relatability and Flexes
“She loves to be one of us...the most coveted watch. I’m wearing it too. I’m not going to pretend like I’m better than any of you and wear something different.” — Liv [25:35]
- On Signature Red Lip & Makeup
“If you’re doing Taylor Swift and you don’t have a red lip, you’re doing it wrong.” — Kirbie [19:27]
- On Branding Without Brands
“She’s advertising without throwing it in your face...she’s not selling me anything but her. And that’s rare.” — Liv [23:13]
- On Potential Wedding Choices
“I don’t want her to be in a big Speak Now moment...I’d love to see her hair straight with the bangs, like a curtain bang.” — Kirbie [28:24]
Timestamps for Key Segments
- Intro & Episode Overview: 00:02–01:20
- Kirbie’s History with Taylor Swift Coverage: 02:47–04:45
- Relatable Fashion and Avoiding Fashion Show Circuit: 05:11–09:55
- Brand Partnerships, Endorsements, and Control: 10:56–14:13
- Orange Trend Discussion & Swift’s Impact: 14:31–18:39
- Stage Iconography & Trendsetting Mechanics: 18:39–23:05
- Silent Flexes: Cartier Watch, Vivienne Westwood Dress: 23:27–25:47
- Wedding Speculation & Signature Look Musings: 27:12–29:08
Summary
Liv Perez and Kirbie Johnson masterfully dissect Taylor Swift’s enduring and calculated influence on fashion and beauty, showing how her “everygirl” persona, refusal to chase trends, and innovative era-building have allowed her to become a uniquely powerful, agenda-setting figure in pop culture. Swift is praised not for being a fashion plate, but for using fashion as narrative, for being “in on the bit,” and for controlling her image with a savvy rare among artists of her scale. From color trends to iconic accessories and wedding fantasy drafts, this episode is a must-listen for Swifties, fashion obsessives, and anyone curious about how style and celebrity collide in the streaming era.