Outfits Inspired by Taylor Swift’s ‘TTPD’]

Your TTPD outfit inspo, right this way.

About The Tortured Poets Department (TTPD)

The Department of Tortured Poets. An anthology of recent works that capture the events, viewpoints, and feelings of a brief and fatalistic period that was equally dramatic and depressing. The chapter is now closed and boarded up, marking the end of this chapter in the author’s life. After injuries have healed, there is nothing to exact revenge for and nothing to settle scores on. Furthermore, it was discovered that a significant portion of them were self-inflicted. This author firmly believes that when our tears turn into ink on paper, they become holy. We can let go of our saddest stories once we have told them.

And then all that’s left behind is the tortured poetry.

Oh boy, do we have things to go through!

The Tortured Poets Department (shortened TTPD) is Taylor Swift’s eleventh studio album. It was released on April 19^th, just last Friday.

And what a week it was!

To begin with, the album was released at exactly midnight. After two hours, Taylor declared that it was a double album, and fifteen additional songs were made available (The Tortured Poets Department: The Anthology).

At last, the double-album-truther Swifties have been saved!

All of the additional tracks from the physical versions of “The Black Dog,” “The Manuscript,” “The Albatross,” and “The Bolter” are included in this collection. Therefore, you can still listen to the bonus tracks by streaming the Anthology version of the album if you did not receive any of them or any variants.

“Fortnight,” a joint track by Taylor and Post Malone, is the lead single from the new album. On April 19, the accompanying music video was also made available.

Since the album’s release, I have listened to it virtually nonstop, and some of the songs and lyrics have been stuck in my head for days. As anticipated, Taylor told a heartbreaking story.

The record, in my opinion, is about returning to yourself after a tornado of suffering, not about a particular man or ex.

Extreme loneliness and isolation, gilded prisons, and the need to appear fine are all topics covered in the album. In the midst of all of that, it is about having the discernment to let go and move on.

The Fashion of TTPD

Taylor Swift has incorporated the retro, academic concept into her street style, as I indicated in my I Dressed Like Taylor Swift post from last week.

Taylor has been wearing a lot of prep school-inspired clothing in the months before the album’s release, such as button-up shirts, pleated skirts, blazers, letterman coats, and loafers.

To balance the style, these are combined with trendier and more seductive aspects, as is typical of Taylor fashion. Dresses, miniskirts, cutouts, corsets, and mesh give her ensembles a new look.

As seen in the “Fortnight” video, the album’s visuals feature a lot of retro components and styles. Ribbon chokers, ruffled long dresses and skirts, balloon sleeves, and high-neck shirts are all common.

There are more sexy items for the album shoot. This one is made of cotton, mesh, silk, and lace. All of them serve seductive, flowing loungewear pieces that contrast with long dresses, ruffled skirts, and corsets with a retro vibe.

Overall, the concept of the record and its promotion is quite obviously academic. Important visual elements utilized in advertising materials include bookmarks, typewriters, quills, library cards (really, libraries in general), stationery, stamps, dry flowers, and letterman patches.

The Tortured Poets Department Fashion Guide

Outfit 1: Fortnight (Black Look)

Is anyone else completely enamored with this music video?

I adored Rodrigo Prieto’s cinematography, Post Malone’s black-and-white imagery, and the Dead Poets Society appearances.

Approximately half of Taylor’s ensembles are not really appropriate for the spring or summer, even though she wears a lot of them, so many that I could make an article devoted solely to the video looks.

I therefore concentrated on the two most recognizable ensembles in the video. The first is the mourning outfit in black:

Products: Blouse, Ruffled Skirt, Booties, Bag

This appearance is quite Victorian and goes well with the album’s overall old aesthetic.

Start with a high-necked, ruffled, shimmering black shirt to make a wearable, contemporary version of this. Next, choose an A-line-fitting, ruffled black skirt for the bottoms.

I adore this black velvet purse as an accessory to add another fabric with a vintage feel. Lastly, to finish the Victorian ensemble, black lace-up heeled booties are the way to go.

Look for A-line skirts, dramatic sleeves, and ruffles if you want to replicate this ensemble. In addition to being breathable if you wish to wear it in hot weather, the blouse’s shimmering fabric kind of evokes other ensembles from the same music video.

Outfit 2: Fortnight (White Look)

Products: Black Choker, Lace Corset, Ruffle Skirt, Mary Jane Flats

Now, this white, possibly wedding-inspired, torn dress is the second Fortnight ensemble I went with.

To achieve a similar style, start with a white corset top and wear it with a midi-length white tiered skirt. (This season, skirts are really popular!)

An accessory that adds to the opulent, gothic vibe of the music video’s other ensembles is a black velvet necklace with a jewel in the middle.

Last but not least, a pair of white Mary Jane flats strikes the ideal mix of being fashionable, retro-inspired, and useful.

The Fortnight music video and other components Taylor has been utilizing for the album are references to this look.

The lace accents on the corset were a common feature of The Grove’s Spotify TTPD display. Some of the songs’ wedding themes are connected to these specifics. There are ruffles on the tiered skirt as well, although they are not as striking as those on the black ensemble.

Last but not least, the choker appears frequently in the song video. However, I felt that these costumes represent two sides of the same coin, and adding the black unifies them, therefore, I wanted it to be black rather than all white.

Outfit 3: But Daddy I Love Him

“But Daddy, I Love Him” is a biting indictment of individuals who condemn a woman for having a developing connection with a man who is, at least in the perspective of many around her, a shady character.

Taylor essentially reclaims her freedom to live her life and make her own choices in this song. It criticizes anyone who judges her relationship decisions under the pretense of “care.”

Products: Cotton Dress, Mary Janes, Straw Crossbody Bag, Sunglasses

Taylor refers to “an open dress” in the chorus of “But Daddy I Love Him,” and my first thought was of a stunning summer gown.

I chose a midi cotton dress as my starting point. It has a lilac floral motif throughout and is a really lovely (and fashionable) buttery yellow tone.

Then, these off-white Mary Janes are my favorite shoes. Lastly, large sunglasses are ideal for concealing oneself from the critical “wine mommies,” and a straw crossbody bag is both summery and neutral.

The florals and vintage-inspired design of the garment highlight aspects of the album’s graphics. In keeping with the lyric “open dress,” the dress also features a tie-up element. Taking inspiration from Taylor’s street style, the Mary Janes are incredibly vintage-preppy.

Outfit 4: I Can Do It with a Broken Heart

“I Can Do It with a Broken Heart” can only be described as a sorrowful bop. It includes some of the album’s saddest lyrics, but you will still want to dance to it.

In the song, Taylor discusses the contradiction of wanting to cry and being hurt while working (doing a show) but wearing this vivacious, reckless, smiling façade.

One of Taylor’s most famous The Eras Tour costumes served as a major inspiration for this ensemble. During the concert, her Fearless golden dress is also the most obviously joyful moment. Additionally, her attire from the end of the concert—the Midnights t-shirt dress and combat boots—came to mind.

I started by selecting a golden minidress with tassels.

In regard to the lyrics’ reference to “working,” I then listed two possible shoe options: black combat boots, also known as “leaving work,” or gold cowboy boots.

In order to simulate a large comfort blanket for dismantling after the performance, I finished by adding an oversized denim jacket.

Products: Sequin Dress, Denim Jacket, Combat Boots, Cowboy Boots

Sincerely, The Chairman of the TTPD – Outfit #5

Finally, let us talk about the Chairman herself, Taylor Swift. To advertise the Clear Phantom version, which is exclusive to Target, she posted this video.

She is wearing a sweater, a pleated skirt, tights, and loafers. Very Season 6 Rory Gilmore, in my view.

I went with a relaxed-fitting navy blue crewneck sweater and a dark grey pleated miniskirt for this ensemble. Taylor looks great in these sheer black tights. I added clunky black loafers to complete the ensemble.

This ensemble screams preppy, street-style Taylor. This is how she currently interprets preppy, a style that appears in several TTPD versions.

Bonus Outfit: Green Velvet Night-Out Look

In my Taylor Swift street style post from last week, I promised that I would include the crushed velvet dress in my upcoming piece as soon as it arrived.

And you know what? It came the day before the release of TTPD!

Tayvoodoo struck again, and it arrived just in time for that weekend after being stuck in transit for about a week for no apparent reason.

Products: Crushed Velvet Dress, OTK Boots, Purse, Necklaces

I was able to obtain a stunning green crushed velvet dress that closely resembles Taylor’s to replicate her crushed velvet dress style.

I then added a pair of cognac, slouchy boots that hung over my knees. I already had these suede ones that matched in color and fit, but Taylor’s are leather and have a snake drawn on them.

I accessorized with a stacked coin necklace and gold rings, and to complete the ensemble, I reached for a black structured purse.

This dress was definitely worth the wait! It is really lovely; it is olive green, but when you walk, it takes on a golden tint. It is quite cozy and fluffy.

This style is primarily appropriate for fall and winter. The day after the dress arrived, I wore it, but it was so hot outside that I had to swap out my boots for loafers in the middle of the day. You may wear the dress in the spring without any problems because it breathes well, but not in the summer.

Final Thoughts

When I first heard the word “loml,” how much did I cry? I completely understand how it feels to be “the loss of your life” and to feel like you were promised a lifetime but were instead used and thrown away.

And I Can Do It with a Broken Heart, which is so cathartic? That brought me back to when I was 23, utterly devastated, and still going to work and school the following day while sobbing in the restroom whenever I could.

When I listened to The Prophecy, I was twenty-five years old and yelling for a life partner, not realizing that I would be meeting him in a few months.

And even now, as I am in a fantastic relationship with the greatest man I have ever met, listening to So High School and The Alchemy… How could I interpret that song and not think of anyone else except him?

I am simply so appreciative that Taylor has been able to articulate those emotions and has provided me with a fresh repertoire of songs that might aid in my own healing, processing, and release.

I do not wish to analyze the songs from the perspective of the person who wrote them or attempt to reinterpret her earlier albums to support this argument. “The tale is not mine anymore,” she declared in her final song, The Manuscript.

The songs are now out there for us to reinterpret through our own lives. Because that’s what art is for.

There are Easter eggs, indeed. However, she also warns us—almost yelling—that we must stop reinterpreting, dissecting, and overanalyzing her life throughout the record. Leave Taylor’s life alone, but reinterpret the songs for yourself, to connect with others, to find a lifeline, to enhance your inner world. That chapter was already concluded by her.

I really like how Taylor pays attention to details, revealing the titles of the songs through her clothing and accessories, the music videos, and the small elements that give Swifties unique announcements or messages.

Take the music, the lyrics, the style, and the joy. Discover the literary allusions and the bars, feel them, and laugh and cry with them.

Make it your own. Just like you would the outfits.