It’s almost impossible to go through a day without coming across the name Taylor Swift. Whether it’s her catchy music that seems to be playing everywhere or her highly publicized romantic relationships that dominate tabloids, she is a constant presence in popular culture. Additionally, Swift is known for her close-knit group of celebrity friends, whose every outing together makes headlines. However, these days, another aspect of Swift that is gaining attention is her fashion sense and wardrobe choices.

The online world just can’t get enough of Taylor Swift’s fashion choices, and the opinions are, let’s just say, less than glowing.

“Is Taylor Swift deliberately avoiding being a fashion trendsetter?” was the question posed by a popular Vogue article that sparked a trend of discussions on Swift’s style. Fashion publications like Fashion and The Sun have also chimed in, wondering if Swift’s fashion choices are intentionally relatable rather than groundbreaking. It seems that Swift’s style identity, or lack thereof, may be more about connecting with her fans than setting fashion trends.

Here’s the deal – Swift’s fashion choices are not the best, according to some. It’s not just that she dresses poorly, but she does so in such a way that it seems like she’s doing it on purpose to connect with her female fans. In a recent Vogue article, the writer described Swift’s casual look as something you might see on just any random person waiting in line at H&M. The writer also mentioned that her wardrobe is filled with meringue-skirt prom dresses, slogan tees, and sparkly bodysuits that seem more suited for a small-town talent show performer.

I’m not suggesting that Taylor Swift’s fashion choices are runway-ready just yet – I mean, I was at London Fashion Week recently, and I can say that with certainty. It’s not that her style is terrible. It’s just that she tends to lean towards sequins, has made some unconventional choices for the Grammy Awards, and there’s a bit of a young-girl-playing-dress-up feel to it that might not be considered fashionable in the traditional sense. But honestly, does that really make a difference?

Critics are mostly focused on the fact that, despite being one of the richest women globally, with an estimated net worth of $1.1 billion by Bloomberg and Forbes, she should be able to dress more elegantly. However, this argument has several flaws. The primary one being that true style cannot simply be purchased.

Certainly, Taylor Swift has the means to deck herself out in luxury brands like The Row, Gucci, and Saint Laurent. She could even casually stroll around with a couple of Hermès Birkin bags dangling from each arm, each costing as much as $35,000 on average. However, being able to afford high-end fashion doesn’t automatically make someone a true fashionista. And why should Taylor feel the need to immerse herself in that world when it’s so different from her own? While many musicians dabble in the fashion industry, like Miley Cyrus posing for Gucci campaigns or Dua Lipa strutting the runway for Versace, Taylor doesn’t have to follow suit if she’s not genuinely interested. It’s unnecessary for her to conform to a standard set by others in the music industry, especially if it doesn’t align with her personal style or preferences. Critics who suggest that Taylor’s fashion choices are solely for pleasing her fans may be overlooking the complexity of her personal style. Accusing her of manipulating her image for popularity seems unfair and somewhat sexist. Would the same accusations be made towards a male artist? Probably not. Moreover, I doubt that people would scrutinize a male artist’s wardrobe choices to the extent that Taylor’s are dissected. Even if she were to embrace more mainstream fashion trends and collaborate with renowned designers, there would likely be criticisms thrown her way. Ultimately, Taylor Swift should be free to express herself through fashion without unwarranted judgment or scrutiny.

Swift’s worldwide fame and constant presence attract both adoring fans and vocal critics who seem to enjoy disliking her, especially when she doesn’t conform to their expectations, particularly in terms of her fashion choices. It’s possible that her biggest offense, in their eyes, is simply being a bold and independent woman.