Fashion

20 Times She Looked Like A Little Woodland Fairy

by Rosie Narasaki

I always count myself as part of the generation who grew up with Harry Potter: I read the first book when I was seven, and finished Deathly Hallows in the summer between sophomore year and junior year of high school — it's something that defined my childhood. Something else? Taylor Swift's almost-too-real lyrics, which we just got more of on Tuesday with the release of her new song "Out Of The Woods."

There's no denying the fact that she's helped me to usher my way into young adulthood. Sounds cheesy, sure, but I really was around 15 or 16 when "Fifteen" came out... and don't even get me started on "22." There's a whole generation of us who went from high school angst to post-graduate angst, all whilst singing along to Taylor on the radio.

That said, I'm more excited for Tuesday's new single than I should care to admit. So what better way to celebrate its already much-celebrated release? I think a fashion retrospective is in order — more specifically, a lengthy list of each time she looked like a woodland fairy. Because even as Taylor's aesthetic has shifted over the years, there's a constant throughline we can always count on her to return to: Fairy Godmother Chic.

1. At the Winter Whites Gala in Aid of Centrepoint

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T-Swift should always dress in Reem Acra (when she's not busy wearing Oscar de la Renta, that is).

2. In her "Love Story" music video:

Totally blows Ariana Grande's Juliet out of the water.

3. At the Ripple of Hope Gala:

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Tulle gilded with tiny gold leaves designed by Oscar de la Renta? I'm sorry, I can't hear you over the fairy realness she's serving.

4. On vacation in Hawaii:

The very picture of picturesque.

5. At the 2009 Grammys with Miley Cyrus:

Her hair looks so winsomely romantic! And let's all take a moment to appreciate the full extent of Miley's rebranding.

6. En route to the Nashville Symphony Ball:

It's like something straight out of a fairytale (in other words, T Swift's style in a nutshell).

7. Out and about:

Giving the layered look a try, eh Taylor?

8. At the Toronto International Film Festival:

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Another stunningly fey Oscar de la Renta number.

9. At the 2010 Academy of Country Music Awards:

Romantic updos, billowy chiffon, and vine appliques — oh my!

10. At a photoshoot:

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Very, very airy-fairy.

11. At Milan Fashion Week:

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Appropriately romantic for Italy.

12. On her album cover for "Fearless:"

Remember the days when she let her hair reach its full spritely potential?

13. At this year's Grammys:

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Perfect for frolicking through the woods.

14. At the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show:

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Very Tinkerbelle.

15. In this ad for her perfume:

I didn't know she had a new perfume!

16. In this other ad for her perfume:

Speaks for itself, no?

17. Performing at the 2010 VMAs:

Serving up angry fairy.

18. In her "Safe and Sound" music video:

If the last look was "angry fairy," this one's ghostly, consumptive fairy.

19. During her RED tour:

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Even her hair looks ready to take flight.

20. Back in the day:

Though to be fair, this one's more "Glinda the Good Witch" than "Woodland Fairy."

Images: Getty Images; taylorswift/Instagram; Twitter