CNN
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Taylor Swift was one of several stars who mimicked ’90s fashion at the MTV Video Music Awards on Wednesday, wearing a chic taffeta bustier and skirt by Dior.
The yellow tartan was familiar, recalling one of the decade’s most iconic looks: the preppy Dolce & Gabbana blazer and pleated skirt worn by fictional character Cher Horowitz (played by Alicia Silverstone) in the 1995 hit film Clueless. But this isn’t the first time Dior has referenced the timeless screen outfit. In 2022, Natalie Portman wore a nearly identical two-piece for a Halloween costume, while Blackpink’s Jisoo wore a version for Dior’s Fall-Winter 2022 show in Paris.
But with its punk-inspired styling in the form of black buckles, collar and tight front zip, Swift’s version is by far the most outlandish. Velvet shorts, over-the-knee boots and gloves completed the look. The look was straight out of Dior’s 2025 Cruise collection, which was inspired by Scottish craft traditions and Mary Queen of Scots. In the show notes, the brand quoted its founder Christian Dior, calling tartan “the only chic fabric that defies fashion.” Models in gothic plaid pieces walked through the grand gardens of Drummond Castle in Perthshire, Scotland.
Wednesday night’s look was a departure from Swift’s typical red carpet style. The megastar is usually never without a few crystals, diamonds or sequins, and often stays true to classic silhouettes and more glamorous dresses. She even swapped her signature red lipstick for dramatic black smokey eyes.
Swift was the big winner at the Video Music Awards, taking home seven of the ceremony’s Moon Person trophies, including the top prize for Video of the Year for “Fortnight” featuring Post Malone.
The pair also won the award for best collaboration and Swift used her acceptance speech to commemorate the September 11 attacks.
“I was just thinking about what happened 23 years ago, to everyone who lost a loved one and to everyone we lost,” she said onstage. The star attended the VMAs a day after endorsing Kamala Harris for US president, a decision that made headlines around the world.
