A persistent fairy tale calls for a multitude of hair looks—or, in Taylor Swift s case, a duet of styles saturated in easy romance. For the release of Folklore in late July, Swift opted for a pair of low-slung knots elevated by rumpled, air-dried bangs. And, since 2020 is the year that never ends, Swift announced this morning a follow-up to her first quarantine album. Dubbed Evermore, it seems that the new release will continue in a similarly mythologically-minded vein—and this time, Swift is opting for a simple French braid to communicate her woodsy insouciance.
The pop star took over Instagram this morning with a series of shares announcing both the album (which drops at midnight) and the accompanying music video for her new song, “Willow.” Shot from behind, Swift s easy woven plait communicated the sweet, slapdash approach to beauty adopted by many of us during this time of simplified aesthetics. One frame, however, offered a bit of heightened glamour, particularly when juxtaposed with Swift s makeup-free face in the "Cardigan" music video: Pictured from the front, and coupled with a beribboned dress, Swift s braid was afforded an upgrade via a pearl-bedecked headband and a signature red lip. So, while the old-world appeal of a pared-down look still rings true, perhaps Swift is ready for the story to turn slightly more stylized—and just in time for the holidays.
