Taylor Swift: Song notes and striped dresses

She’s been quiet but there’s been all kinds of Taylor Swift news today – starting with the work. The New York Times just published a feature on The 30 Greatest Living American Songwriters, an unranked list chosen by over “250 music insiders and six New York Times critics”.

I was thrilled to see Lucinda Williams and Missy Elliott included. Also Fiona Apple. And yes, Mariah Carey, even if the Rock Hall hasn’t figured it out yet…

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There are interviews, on camera, to accompany the selections and, of course, Taylor Swift’s is making headlines since she’s been so undercover lately and, well, because it’s Taylor Swift. I’ve not yet watched the entire video because I’m saving it for later, for when I can pay full attention since this is very much a Show Your Work by Taylor Swift about Taylor Swift’s songwriting, which I always have time for. Taylor Swift showing her work is probably my favourite version of Taylor Swift although, obviously, Taylor Swift the gossip main character is up there too.

The gossip, right now, and has been for months, is about the wedding. And Page Six’s exclusive that Michael Rubin has moved up his Fourth of July party in the Hamptons ostensibly because he doesn’t want to conflict with the TNT wedding. So Page Six is doubling down on their previous report that Taylor and Travis Kelce are getting married on July 3. Originally they said it would be in New York and now they seem to be hedging that it’s either New York or somewhere “out East”.

To go along with the New York Times 30 Songwriters piece, Taylor also stepped out yesterday for dinner with her dad, Jerrod Carmichael, and Jack Antonoff. As Maria has already pointed out, will both Jack and Lena Dunham be invited to the wedding – and after everything she’s shared in her book, how will that play out and go down?

Let’s talk now about Taylor's outfit, this blue and white striped dress that I hate. It’s the Staud Wells striped cotton midi dress, selling out fast but still available at that link in most sizes. It also comes in a darker (and better) colourway.

I’ve worn a lot of Staud on television, I like the brand, but in my opinion, Taylor’s dress is not the best showcase of the label. In fact, Staud has similar blue and white styles right now that are so much cuter than the one she chose. Like the Staud Callie minidress, in the same pattern, but shorter with a more interesting cut.  

But if we’re talking about striped blue and white dresses? This is the season for them, and there are many, many options that are far superior if you’re looking. Here are a few that I’ve tried.

Reformation’s Janu linen dress is very much the same idea as Taylor’s but the shade of blue is, in my opinion, way more chic.

The Simkhai Chamberlain blue stripe dress is multi-panelled, more visually interesting – it’s in the thickness of the stripes, right? Taylor’s stripe thickness is just not right for the style, sorry. By the way, I tried on this Simkhai under a denim jacket, it was giving yacht season, I loved it.

At a higher price point, the Tanya Taylor Vivien is also multi-panelled blue and white stripes and it’s so crisp and fresh and classic, I wish it came in a tennis or golf version.

I threw a white cropped leather jacket over the Pistola Bianca dress and it was also yacht vibes. What I really like about this one is the smocking – I’ll never not try on a smocked summer dress.

Aritzia has a really, really, REALLY great striped dress right now, in several colourways. The Wilfred Encourage poplin dress comes in the lighter blue of Taylor’s dress but the standout, for me, is the dark wash denim shade that I’ve linked to. And look at the back!

Finally… while we’re here… let me show you the blue and white striped dream. It’s more formal than Taylor’s and the (better) alternatives so not exactly in the same category but it’s pretty f-cking special, and if you need something for a wedding and stripes are your thing, and you’re willing to spend a bit more, please enjoy the Self-Portrait strapless striped taffeta midi. This is gorgeous and timeless, the first time I saw her I gasped and squealed, she is that girl.

Please note, the above are affiliate links. Let's go shopping!