Rag Report: Country Star Breaks Out of Her Shell

Rag Report dives under the covers of fashion publications to rant or rave about all the glossy goodness.

Taylor Swift, a girl who normally is conservative, shy, and discrete with both her music and style, is shockingly edgy in this month’s cover of Allure magazine. Michael Thompson took the lead in this photo shoot as the main photographer. Shot in a little studio in Berry Hill, Nashville, Swift proves to her fans that she is growing up in a lady-like manner.

In her first photo, Swift looks stunning as her head is titled toward the right. Her usually tamed hair is teased with wild waves. Swift sports a deep v-neck dress designed by Peter Som. Typically, Swift is seen in fairy tale-esque outfits but this floral print expresses deep violets, dark reds, and navy blue. Her arms are placed on her lap; her body language looks as if she is in deep thought.

Another photo featuring Swift captures the singer intensity that the audience has yet to see on the red carpet. Michael Thompson captures Swift’s innocence in this head shot. She engages the audience with her eyes. The simplicity of her makeup and hairstyle allows us to look at her eyes and see the vulnerability. The lighting used on the picture, although black and white, gives Swift a slight glow that can also be considered angelic, and more innocent.

Swift’s body language is different than her previous photos. Her demanding pose has us viewing the early stages of her edginess. She is not smiling but just staring right into the camera, forcing us to look at this never-before-seen Taylor Swift. Her hair is outrageous keeping her head almost hidden. But, her smoky eye makeup as well as her red lipstick really pops out. Swift wears a cotton silk taffeta dress by Lanvin Paris. The sinister colors of the dress as well as her body language, shows the audience a different, riskier side.

The inspiration for Swift’s photo shoot was the Cacharel fragrance advertisements by Sarah Moon during the late 70’s. This scent can be described as sunny but dark—a perfect combination of both Swift’s style within this specific shoot. Taken as a whole, Swift looks stunning with her dark based makeup and out of the ordinary floral print dresses placed in front of a run down or haunted background.

-Stephanie Smith

The Craze: Suddenly Sequins

The Craze is a trend report bringing you the latest (and, duh, the greatest) in beauty and style.

They’ve been slowly creeping up in magazine spreads here and there, but now they’re absolutely everywhere (ok, we rhymed).

Yes, friends, we're talking about sequins.  They’re on clutches, leggings, dresses, shoes and Kristen Stewart on the November cover of Allure Magazine.  The craze this season clearly includes sequins on almost any article of clothing you can imagine. 

Our favorite is the refreshing twist on the black legging.  Black, sequined leggings are a glamorous upgrade from last fall’s black polyester shiny leggings.

Costume Dept. - karmaloop.com $68

 

What’s great about the black, sequined legging is that it’s not as over-the-top as gold or silver.  Black is always a safe, chic option for any outfit. 

BUT, as safe and understated as black may be, don’t forget that you’ll be wearing SEQUINED PANTS so let’s not get carried away and add any more glitz.  

All you really need is a loose-fitting white tee and a blazer in black or charcoal grey to complete the look. Ankle boots, platform heels or ballet flats (if you’re not into heels) would probably be the best shoe options because they’ll lengthen your legs, as well as show off the whole legging.

If you don’t think you can take the plunge with the sequined legging, try just a hint of sparkle with a sequined clutch or sequin-embellished cardigan.

Ellian (also in blue, silver and pink) - nordstrom.com $58

 

Smitten (also in black) - piperlime.com $140

- by Rosalind Dean