Taylor Swift’s Tortured Poets Department White Maxi Is More Than a Dress: Find Out the Hidden Meaning

Fans spotted the actress wearing a Khaite design in the Spotify visuals for “But Daddy I Love Him” and “Clara Bow” among other songs. Here’s what it may mean.

Now that Taylor Swift has ushered in an entirely new era with the The Tortured Poems Department, there’s a lot more decode when it comes to the pop superstar’s new Victorian-inspired style.

Yes, the singer, 34, may have teased Swifties early on when she stepped on the 2024 Grammys red carpet in a black-and-white Schiaparelli look hinting at the album’s overall vibe and nodding at muse Clara Bow. That’s not to mention all preppy, academia aesthetic evident in her wardrobe leading up to the release of her 11th studio album. But there’s still a lot more style-related Easter eggs to be found.

On April 19, on the same day the surprise double album released, Instagram account @taylorswiftstyle (run by Sarah Chapelle) was the first to point out that Swift wears Khaite’s romantic Lally silk dress in white in the Spotify visuals for a few of the tracks.

The dress features a ruched bodice and flared asymmetric skirt made of pleated cotton poplin. By now, the design, which originally retailed for $2,500, is sold out.

A product description on Saks Fifth Avenue’s website suggests that the dress was part of a collection that “reflects the spirit of the independent and strong New York woman,” which is really what Khaite founder, Catherine Holstein, based the entire label around. So, with this theme in mind, it makes sense that Swift chose to wear the dress to represent songs like “But Daddy I Love Him,” “Robin,” “The Prophecy,” and “Clara Bow” which speak on reclamation, resilience and empowerment.

Swift has also worn label on multiple occasions, like the blue sweater from her Nobu date night with boyfriend Travis Kelce in Malibu and the leather skirt from their New York City night out in October 2023.

But if all this isn’t not enough to get your mind working, there’s about to be a lot more themed looks to come.

At 8 p.m. on April 19 Swift is dropping a music video for “Fortnight” with Post Malone and from the cinematic black-and-white trailer alone, Swifties can expect a lot of Victorian Era and 1920s garb, which seemingly holds significance in regards to her breakup with British actor Joe Alwyn and subsequent relationships.

A fan on X (formerly Twitter) compared the look to a “Victorian mourning dress,” which, according to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, were prevalent during the reign of Queen Victoria from 1819 to 1901 and set a precedent for the ongoing custom of wearing black to grieve loved ones. She also wears a Toni Maticevski design in the form of the bridal-like dress.