Taylor Swift made her triumphant return to country music's biggest night with a show-stopping
performance and much-talked about look at the 2020 Academy of Country Music Awards.
Swift's performance of "Betty" from her latest album Folklore was the first time in seven
years that the pop idol has graced the ACM stage, and it was well worth the wait.
Unlike past years, where Swift showed up in eye-catching, sparkling gowns, this year she
went for a rather understated and casual alternative to the typical awards show dress, via her
designer pal, Stella McCartney.
"Hey Stella! It's Taylor, and I just wanted to say thank you so much for making my outfit
for the Academy of Country Music Awards."
And while the singer still added some sparkle with a long-sleeved, high-necked sequin top
in a flattering burgundy color, the head-to-toe was a more modest look, not revealing much
skin at all. Instead, Swift highlighted her fabulous figure with immaculately tailored,
high-waisted tan capris. The stylish trousers also showed off a feminine subtlety with their
detailing near the base of the tapered leg. Swift paired the look with summer sandals
in black and a barely-there heel.
People magazine reports that Swift did her own hair and makeup for the show, as well
as her own styling, so it seems like the top-selling artist really wanted to add a personal touch
to this appearance. Her curly hair was pulled back into a low bun with a few loose tendrils,
while her makeup was subtle and natural looking and featured a warm, orange-red lip.
It's thought that the look may have been inspired by the lyrics to "Betty," which is sung from
the perspective of a teenage boy named James who is feeling insecure as he loses his first
love. In promotional material for the album, Swift explained,
"I think we all have these situations in our lives where we learn to really, really give
a heartfelt apology for the first time. Everybody makes mistakes, everybody really messes up
sometimes, and this is a song that I wrote from the perspective of a 17-year-old boy.
I've always loved that in music you can kinda slip into different identities and you can
sing from other people's perspectives. So that's what I did on this one."
Swift's tough-yet-feminine styling just might be a nod to the character she's exploring
in the song. This appearance marks the first time Swift has performed the song "Betty"
since the surprise July release of Folklore, an album that has won raves from critics and
fans alike. Of her buzz-worthy return to the ACMs, Swift wrote on Twitter,
"Guys I don't know anything but I know I miss youuuuu"
When it comes to her fashion, Swift has certainly come a long way since her early appearances
at the ACMs. Take this mustard-colored dress and studded cowboy boot look from 2007, for
example. And who could forget her signature blonde ringlets that completed each look?
But since her early years, Swift's look has certainly evolved with looks that are more
polished and sophisticated, as is befitting the budding queen of the country-pop crossover.
Her decision to wear head-to-toe Stella McCartney for this year's ACMs should come as no surprise
to anyone, as the singer and designer enjoyed a collaboration in 2019, and even opened up
a pop-up store together, featuring a merchandise collection in support of Swift's album, Lover.
Just how did the two first pair up? Turns out, they met at one of Swift's concerts in
London. Swift told Vogue,
"When I started spending more time in London, Stella and I would go on walks, have cocktails,
and talk about life. So when it came time to write this album, I name checked her in
one of my songs, and when I played her the album, I said, 'Should we do something?'"
At the time, Swift remarked on the collaboration on Twitter:
"It's been SO much fun to work/dream up cute stuff with my friend @stellamccartney to create
a line inspired by my new album Lover."
And the two have seemingly remained tight, with Swift turning to McCartney once again
for her stunning return to the ACMs.
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