American Music Awards Fashion Recap
The AMAs return tonight ... will Taylor?
The American Music Awards are making a comeback tonight, May 26. This award show has been on hiatus since 2022 as it sought to find a new cable network home, successfully moving from ABC to CBS. The AMAs are considered “the world’s largest fan-voted awards show” with winners determined by public vote. This year’s ceremony will be hosted by Jennifer Lopez.
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Taylor has a long history with the American Music Awards. Indeed, it is one of her most well-attended events with a total of 10 appearances since 2007. Taylor is not only the show’s most celebrated artist with 40 trophies under her belt, she is also the reigning Artist of the Year — a category she is once again nominated in this year. In 2019, she received the show’s Artist of the Decade award making her the show’s second recipient of the award.
This year, her nominations include the following:
Artist Of The Year
Album of the Year (The Tortured Poets Department)
Collaboration of the Year (“Fortnight” ft Post Malone)
Favorite Touring Artist
Favorite Female Pop Artist
Favorite Pop Album (The Tortured Poets Department)
Before we get to this year’s award show - let’s review Taylor’s fashion history at this particular event. Analyzing Taylor’s fashion in realtime is fun and challenging in its own right, but there is a beauty to zooming out and seeing the picture as a whole over a long period of time. You really see a style story unfold in this manner - especially when you compare appearances at the same award show year over year to truly track Taylor’s changes in style over time. In retrospect, looking at the landscape of all her appearances together I couldn’t help noticing that this is one of her most metallic-forward award shows. We know that Taylor has always loved a sequin, but this was made all the more clear when I noted that eight of her 10 appearances on the AMA red carpet featured a glitter of some kind and seven either a silver or gold finish.
Let’s dive into them!
2007 in Catherine Malandrino
One thing we should all credit the debut era with more is its clear and consistent wardrobing. As Taylor was establishing the foundation of her career sonically she was also doing so visually. To accomplish this, she created a corresponding fashion formula that was not just recognizable - but easily repeatable. Here, we see Taylor’s signature combination of a sundress, by Catherine Malandrino, and cowboy boots given a sleek “evening-wear” finish fitting for an awards show. It felt like a polished spin on her go-to ensemble, which worked well for one of her earliest instances of attending an all-genre ceremony outside the bubble of dedicated country music genre award shows she had been attending like the Country Music Association awards and the Academy of Country Music awards.
2008 in Collette Dinnigan
A very reliable and signature Taylor go-to of a sparkly mini and Christian Louboutin platform peep toes. This is something I could imagine her wearing some sort of iteration of even to this day! Styling-wise I think a fun and more tonally coordinated pair of heels could have stepped things up (pun intended) even further. The darker grey here doesn’t feel like it lives up to that very sparkly and brighter toned silver of her Collette Dinnigan mini. Speaking of, Collette Dinnigan happens to be one of Taylor’s favorite designers from this time period as evidenced by …
2010 in Collette Dinnigan
Twice in a row! Taylor wore two back to back silver sparkly pieces by Collette Dinnigan to the AMAs. Between the two, I love this early take on a “mirrorball” dress. It’s so fun! This is also our earliest instance of Taylor playing around with bangs. I remember the frisson of this particular red carpet when Taylor stepped out wearing these clip on (yes!) bangs. How little we knew then what a defining signature look this cut would be for her just two years from this moment. I think this was one of Taylor’s better executed short and sassy moments where the dress and the shoes - these were the “Viola” sandal by Jimmy Choo - really “speak” to one another cohesively. Isn’t it also interesting to compare this silver embellished look with her Balmain one in 2018? Another thing to keep your eye out for as we move through these looks are other, similar, strappy pairs of Jimmy Choos. It’s proof they have been one of her favourite brands for a long time and when she finds a brand she likes, she often will stick with it!
2011 in Reem Acra
All these years later I still find myself charmed by this confetti gold gown by Reem Acra. It’s a great example of Taylor being recognizably herself in a look that’s signature to her and is strongly associated with a certain period of time in her life. Doesn’t the dispersion of gold glitter on her Reem Acra gown here remind you a bit of both the Valentino gown from the Speak Now Tour and the Nicole + Felicia gown worn during the Speak Now set of the Eras Tour? All you need to do is add some crinoline. Of course, I think the most unique choice here were those beautiful Lorraine Schwartz green(!) earrings. They bring an unexpected (and thus memorable) element to the styling that I love even now. This dress made its way into one of my favorite sections of Taylor Swift Style — a sidebar all about green, natch.
2012 in Zuhair Murad
The dress itself, from the Zuhair Murad Pre-Fall 2012 collection, bears all the hallmarks of a Taylor look: Sparkly, gold, mini. These particular Jimmy Choo sandals were also a popular red carpet choice by many and Taylor loved a strappy platform heel during this time period. That said, where I feel this look could have been improved is the hair. I think a playful ponytail might have fared better than the formal bouffant here. I’ll pop a closer look at it for you below so you can check it out yourself.
2013 in Julien Macdonald
Another year another sparkly gold mini! A reliable Taylor formula. As compared to the year prior, I actually loved the looping nature of her Jimmy Choo ‘Madison’ heels and how their organic, swirling texture contrasts against the sharp geometry and spikes of her mini dress. The tousled hair also works here to create some softness. Taylor also opted to alter this dress from the Julien Macdonald Fall 2013 runway presentation by adding a sheer mesh panel to the triangular cutout at the torso. While I completely respect her choice to make a dress work for her comfort level, I think improvements could have been made to the execution of this illusion mesh to be a bit more seamless. I often found my eyes zeroing in on it rather than the look as a whole.
2014 in Michael Kors
An all-timer for me. And an example of how fashion can function as a powerful sense memory. I can still remember the exact place and circumstances I was in when Taylor first walked the runway in this custom green(!) gown by Michael Kors (my first apartment post-graduation, in the midst of hauling my laundry to my building’s machine). I still remember the way my phone was blowing up with the shared joy of Taylor wearing a color that has come to mean so much to me to see her wear. She looks impeccable! And I’ll always be a sucker for a perfectly hemmed column gown. This proves that sometimes simple is best: A beautiful colour, careful garment construction, and minimal accessories. Also note how much better executed and seamless the illusion mesh is here at the torso compared to the year prior.
2018 in Balmain
I feel part of the enduring power and resonance of this particular look is for its inclusion in the Miss Americana documentary. I still think about those scenes all these years later! I’d love to hear how this community feels about this look since then. I can personally recall feeling thoroughly surprised by this look which was a near head to toe pull directly from the Balmain Spring 2019 runway - boots and all. But where there might not be creative license with the look itself, the styling certainly does. Looking back, I really appreciate the contrast between the soft and sweet makeup and hair that is in direct opposition with the futuristic sharpness of the dress and boots. There’s a tension between modernity and a retro throwback to the hair, makeup, and silhouette styles of the mod ‘60s. Would love to hear your thoughts!
2019 in Julien Macdonald
This outing was in support of Lover - but you would hardly know it from this slinky bottle green gown that had a certain snakelike vibe to it. Indeed, my original caption written back in 2019 declared: “For a look given to us during the Lover era, it’s something that I very much would have expected had Taylor given us more opportunities to shine on the red carpet during the reputation era.” No surprises - given the color of course - but I also couldn’t resist adding, “And I’m very much in favor of it.” And still feel that way to this day. I even went so far as to put this look in the reputation chapter of Taylor Swift Style! The thigh high Casadei boots are fierce and tie in nicely with the black jewelry, including her earrings by Ofira. Taylor has also always shined beautifully in any kind of sequin. But it’s the color. The color! I swoon. A fun fact? Taylor had the slit and neckline of this gown altered from the original (more revealing) runway presentation. In her version, the choice to style the dress with tall boots creates a thigh framing situation - revealing a neat slice of skin rather than the more sensual slit the brand had intended. To my eye, I’m glad she nixed the hip cutout, but I did love the original silhouette of the dress which I felt created less sharp boxy lines.
During Lover’s press tour, Taylor often provided the “further explanation” that she had intentionally withheld during reputation’s original release. Her insight into the celebratory aspect of the tour and describing the album as “a love story” even had Lover dubbed as part of her “new reputation.” So it’s no wonder that she also allowed that era’s aesthetic to bleed a little into the next.
I have always believed context is key. It feels worth noting that the 2019 AMAs, in a way, represented a watershed moment for Taylor and the years of determination, reclamation, and celebration that would soon follow as it relates to the full breadth of her career. And that her previous, reputation, was the last released under her terminated contract with Big Machine Label Group.
The sale of her first six albums just five months prior to this ceremony cast a shadow on the night’s proceedings. As demonstration of her musical dominance through the ‘10s - a nod to her acceptance that night as Artist of the Decade - Taylor had planned to perform a medley of her greatest hits. But the performance, according to Taylor, was nearly halted. In a tweet the week ahead of the ceremony, Taylor described how her former label head, Scott Borchetta, and Scooter Braun were blocking her ability to perform her back catalogue live - asserting that by doing so would be re-recording her music before she was contractually permitted to (her contract with Big Machine stipulated a five year exclusivity clause from the date of her last album released under their banner). “The message being sent to me is very clear,” she wrote. “… Be a good little girl and shut up. Or you’ll be punished.” Rather than going quietly, Taylor - as she always has - let both her music and her outfit speak volumes on her behalf. Her tweet pressured Braun & Co. to release a statement (one that notably didn’t refute her claims) and eventual acquiescence to permit her performance to go ahead as originally planned.
She opened her medley with “The Man” while wearing a crisp white button up emblazoned with the titles of her first six albums (in a font not dissimilar to those seen on prisoner jumpsuits - perhaps a reference to the “tyrannical control” being exerted over her work). The message of defiance was clear and delivered as Taylor’s feelings always have been: on her sleeve.
2022 in The Blonds
To coordinate with the smoky hazy ‘70s-esque images featured in the Midnights album photoshoot, Taylor wore a retro “Bejeweled” jumpsuit by The Blonds - a designer she hadn’t worn previously. Some fun facts about this look? It’s from a *slightly* older runway collection - Fall 2019 (stylists typically pull from the most recent runways as it’s what brands are often most excited to showcase). Much like the year prior, Taylor also opted to alter the neckline to soften the dramatic plunge that was original to the runway. But the very best part? The styling. While something sparkly and gold is certainly within Taylor’s wheelhouse, it’s the choices made in the hair (big! voluminous! fluffy!) and styling (bracelet stacks, sword earrings, minimalist sandals) that really “complete” the picture. Her jewelry came from a myriad of sources, including her favored Cathy Waterman who made the earrings. Imagine this styled with a sleek low ponytail, for instance. Or a fussy intricate updo. Or even waist-length pinstraight hair extensions a la Cher. It all changes the look in your mind, right? It’s styling, beyond just choosing clothes, that can be so impactful. I personally really loved this look (especially those sleek Giuseppe Zanotti sandals) for giving something a little different and committing to a vision.
Following the final bow of the Eras Tour in December and the final touchdown of the Super Bowl in February, Taylor has been laying relatively low. Her few rare exceptions in publicized outings have been to attend award shows either in person (Grammys) or virtually (iHearts). This, of course, begs the question if Taylor will also add the AMAs to that list.
Will Taylor appear at the awards in person?
We don’t typically receive physical confirmations for Taylor’s award show appearances — tonight being no exception. But unlike Taylor’s two recent award show appearances that made her attendance likely (the iHearts had a confirmed special award, the Grammys are music’s most prestigious affair) this reboot of the AMAs is untested. Which, in my assessment, makes her attendance a little less certain.
What will happen if she shows up?
Of course, fans are speculating what might happen if, indeed, Taylor were to attend this year’s American Music Awards. Questions, excitement, and theories always abound with what she might be planning next.
The below is a succinct summary originally from my iHearts recap that remains relevant.
The Extension Of “Eras”: Taylor is nominated in the “Favorite Touring Artist” category. Should she win (and should she have plans), an acceptance speech extending on the concept of “Eras” would be appropriate. We know that her final round of Eras dates in Vancouver, BC were filmed extensively across all three nights but we don’t yet know what final form they’ll take. (Though sometimes I wonder if it will take any form at all.) Perhaps tonight is when we find out! An extended tour movie release that includes the Poets set? A tour documentary? Something else entirely?
Taylor’s Versions: The two final instalments of Taylor’s re-records project — her 2006 eponymous debut and 2017’s reputation — are both still outstanding. The first four re-records dropped in pairs on odd years. First Fearless and RED in 2021 and then Speak Now and 1989 in 2023. Either of the (Taylor’s Versions) of her original discography could be announced at any moment but perhaps now, 2025, is the time for the remaining two to be released. Interest particularly in reputation (Taylor’s Version) has never been higher. In fact, excitement was recently renewed thanks to the usage of “Look What You Made Me Do” (Taylor’s Version) in a recent episode of The Handmaid’s Tale.
Something New: Given Taylor’s current prolific creative streak (four new albums and four re-records in five years) I suspect that her 12th studio album is not off the table. In fact, we were told as much in October 2024 via sources at Entertainment Tonight (a typically reliable publication for Taylor information). The outlet reported, “Taylor is hoping to put out new music and then take some time off together with Travis,” they said, adding, “She is … very busy with work and sorting out her upcoming plans.”
We know that Taylor has used an award show podium to announce new music before. First, Midnights at the MTV Video Music Awards in 2022 and more recently The Tortured Poets Department at the Grammys in 2024. Some fans have even put stock into updates to Taylor’s web store and official fan account Taylor Nation as indications a new album is on the horizon.
Nothing New: Of course, the night could be surprise-free. Taylor has a historically strong performance at the American Music Awards and is nominated for half a dozen awards which she has the potential to win. Although, we could see a repeat of this year’s Grammys outcomes. You’ll recall that on that night, Taylor was shut out of all her categories. That said - if there was an award for Most Enthusiastic Audience Member I think we all know who would win.
Fingers crossed!
Your turn! I would love to know …
What was your favorite American Music Award appearance?
What do you think she’ll do tonight (if anything)?
My favorite looks are the green dress from 2019 because its screams so loud Reputation. And i love her first look in 2010.
I hope she will attend the AMA. And that RepTV is annoucend soon. But when. I don‘t know. She is the mastermind.
I love this fashion recaps. They my favorite to read
2012 and 2018 are definitely my favorite looks because Taylor in Zuhair Murad is just perfection, and because the mirrorball look is luminescent.
2022 is my least fav looks because I love her hair but the jumpsuit looks very cheap. I know it probably cost a lot but that’s my hot take!
I think Rep TV will be announced or she’ll even drop a single from it. Either way, I hope she’ll go just to see what she’ll wear! 💜