Taylor Swift's Signature Bangs

Bangs may thread in and out of favor, but for Taylor Swift, fringe is forever. Throughout her nearly 20-year career, Swift has shaken out an ever-shifting blonde mane. What began with a tumble of sun-kissed ringlets has morphed as along with the pop star’s constantly shifting public persona. But whether worn pin straight or would up, chopped above shoulders or left long (the better for that go-to onstage hair flip), Swift’s bangs are a reliable beauty signature — perhaps even more than her classic red lip.

From glossy and polished to mussed and romantic, here’s how Swift’s trademark bangs have evolved over the years.

Crown of Curls

Swift kicked off her career as a pop country crooner, her eponymous debut album and the following Fearless marked by a mane of curls afforded extra height and glamour via a side-swept bang (fine, perhaps an almost bang). The curls lent well to a dramatic hair toss, a move that Swift has embraced throughout her career.

Bright and Blunt

Her Speak Now album saw Swift moving in the direction of pop, a subtle transformation that called for a not-so-subtle makeover. For the 2010 American Music Awards, Swift showed off the blunt blonde bangs destined to become her pop star signature.

Soft Polish

With 2012 and Red came Swift's more natural (and cooler-toned) soft blonde, still punctuated by a lash-skimming, glossy fringe.

Old Hollywood Wave

Swift's album 1989 came with an above-shoulder chop, worn finger-raked or ironed flat depending on the occasion. For the 2014 Met Gala, Swift afforded her bangs some Old Hollywood flair in keeping with the evening's theme.

Feathery Fringe

The same side-swept bangs blown straight create a glamorous, slightly feathery frame, a smooth and sophisticated finish to her long blonde bob.

Stylized Side-Sweep

Swift flirted with edgy at the 2015 VMAs, her side-swept bang worn slightly shellacked playing well with a low pony and high-impact eye moment.

Tousled Peroxide

The year 2016 was a turning point for Swift — think stalled albums and media firestorms — one which she marked with an irreverent peroxide chop and tousled bangs.

Back to Basics

Swift's post-Reputation era saw the pop star returning to her roots, blunt blonde bangs softened by an extending frame of loosened tendrils.

Bucolic Bangs

The pandemic's forced slow down brought Swift's Folklore and Evermore, the cottagecore period embodied by ever-rumpled air-dried hair and the wavy bangs to match (the style provided a little extra polish for the Grammys, naturally).

Pop Princess

The Lover album promised a return to full-tilt pop princess vibes best represented by Swift's brightened blonde and softly choppy long fringe.

Bejeweled Bangs

Midnights brought a medley of Swiftie aesthetics, among them the '20s-inspired glam featured in the music video for her single "Bejeweled." From a bang standpoint, that meant a center part and balanced side swooping.

'80s-Inspired

Though many of Swift's voluminous side bang moments owe something to the 1980s, her 2022 American Music Awards fringe was an entire homage, particularly when paired with brushed-up waves.

New Romantic

The premiere of "Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour" Concert Movie World Premiere saw Swift returning to her folkloric roots, an artfully undone faux bob and carmine lip speaking (appropriately) to the merging of eras.

Old Money Bangs

Swift's return to her original leanings comes with a sense of sumptuousness, a perfected shade of blonde teamed with soft, full, and subtly rounded bangs that ooze easy luxury.

Pretty Poetic

The announcement of The Tortured Poets Department called for some character dressing, including side bangs finished in a gentle, retro wave.

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