Exclusive: Taylor Swift Talks Fashion Regrets, Style Crushes, and Her Must-have Red Lipstick

Pop sensation Taylor Swift may get constant press for her love life, but here at Yahoo Shine we're obsessed with the star for another reason: her personal style. From her pitch-perfect off-duty wardrobe to her glam taste in red carpet gowns, the way Swift dresses is as flawless as her enviable bangs and gorgeous red lips. While she prepares for her international tour, the American Music Awards and Country Music Awards, and an upcoming album, Swift has also been collaborating with Keds, the iconic sneaker brand, on covetable, comfortable shoes. We sat down with the star to get the scoop on her style icons, the best and worst things she's ever worn, and her beauty secrets.

Yahoo Shine: Your red carpet style has really evolved over the years. What's your favorite look you've ever worn?

Taylor Swift: I think I wore a gown to the Brits [in February] that was a black [Elie Saab] dress, and I think it had a belt, and it was kind of a really smoky makeup look. That was one of my favorite dresses that I've gotten to wear.

Y.S.: Do you have any fashion regrets from the past?

T.S.: I started walking red carpets when I was 16. I think I missed prom too many times, so I would wear dresses that looked like you would wear them to prom. Princessy, pastels… I can't remember one, I just see them all as a blur. [Laughs] Please don't put a big picture of them in your article like, "A slideshow of Taylor's terrible prom choices!" [Editor's note: Sorry, Taylor. We had to show just one!]

Y.S.: Have stylists ever introduced you to something you didn't think you'd wear that you now love?

T.S.: I remember the first time my stylist brought in a pair of high-waisted shorts. I was like, "Oh, what is that? No! Get it away from me!" and then I put it on and I was like, "I love this!" And then I ended up wearing them on stage all the time.

Y.S.: What style tip would you share with our readers?


T.S.:
I feel bossy telling people what to do, but I think the best option for what to wear is something you're not going to look back and cringe at in 20 years, like passing styles. When everybody's wearing neon I'm not. When everybody's got spikes on everything I'm not doing that. When everybody's trying to look tough I'm not. When you kind of ignore fads and just wear what you like and what's classic and simple, I think that's the way to go for longevity as far as style.

Y.S.: Which of your peers do your think has great style?

T.S.: I always like what Lena [Dunham] wears, because it's always so her. She knows how to dress in a way that represents her personality directly. It's so perfect, because she's always just being herself in her fashion choices, and I think that's my favorite thing. It's a very brave thing to do to showcase who you are in what you wear, and I just really like it.

Y.S.: Who are your style icons?

T.S.: Do you know who Cyd Charisse is?

Y.S.: Yup! [Editor's note: Cyd Charisse was a beautiful actress and dancer popular during the 1940s and '50s and performed alongside Fred Astaire and Gene Kelly.]

T.S.: She is my favorite right now. I keep looking at photos of her looking so classic. She's my style icon of the moment. I always go between Audrey Hepburn or Francoise Hardy or Jane Birkin.

Y.S.: We've seen you wear polka dot Keds on stage and on your free time. What's a surprising offbeat way to wear them?

T.S.: I've been wearing Keds to kind of kick around and go to the gym and go to dance class. The play I usually throw on Keds is when I'm going to the beach or going for a walk or something. For me it's very nostalgic, like it reminds me of my childhood, 'cause I used to always wear these white Keds when I was a little kid. It kind of reminds me of being young and little, and if I'm going anywhere that seems playful or fun that's where I put on Keds.

Y.S.: What's your favorite design?

T.S.: I love the nautical knot themed ones (available in Spring 2014), and I love the floral print. Those are my favorite. In the summertime I always go for the polka dot, because that's a summer thing for me, I'm always obsessed with polka dots.

Y.S.: What's your current go-to outfit on a day off?

T.S.:
When I'm just kind of wandering around I really like skinny jeans and a sweater and I'll throw on, like the maroon or darker colored Keds are for fall and winter for me. Or the black velvet ones are nice for nighttime.

Y.S.: What's your go-to outfit for a night out?

T.S.: Usually I'll wear a dress and tights or a little skirt and tights and a sweater. This sweater weather is kind of my obsession right now

Y.S.: What's your typical beauty regimen?

T.S.: My makeup artist does makeup for concerts, but when doing my own makeup I always make a choice: is it going to be a heavy eye look or a heavy lip look? if I'm gonna do a red lip I'll do a simple cat eye liner, but if it's going to be a smoky eye I'll do a nude lip or barely any color on the lip. You don't ever want to look like you're wearing too much makeup. If you have a heavy eye and a heavy lip, people are like, "wow, what are you covering up?"

Y.S.: Is there anything you do to pamper yourself or wind down?

T.S.: I love baths and I love listening to music alone in my house. For me that's the extent of my luxurious activities. I don't do manicures or pedicure or facials or massages really.

Y.S.: Wait a minute. You don't do your nails?!

T.S.: I paint them.

Y.S.: Oh, you paint them yourself.

T.S.: Yeah! [Laughs.] I don't know. I'm like a seven-year-old. I don't really have the patience to sit there with my hands not moving for 20 minutes. I find luxury in very simple things.

Y.S.: What are your must-have beauty item when traveling on tour?

T.S.: I always like to have a good red lip thing.

Y.S.: You're sort of known for that! What's your favorite red lipstick shade?

T.S.: There's a Make Up For Ever lip stain that's really good. It's red lip stain on one side and gloss on the other. [Editor's note: it's Aqua Rouge in Iconic Red, $24]

Y.S.: Your bangs are always so perfect-they're actually very Jane Birkin! How often do you trim them?

T.S. Oh, thank you! It's been like three weeks and they're really long now. Usually when I'm on tour I get them trimmed them every two weeks so they don't get in my eyes. I'm kind of letting them grow, and I think I'll know when the time is right to cut them.

Y.S.: What item do you always have with you in your purse?

T.S.: I always have several cameras because I love taking pictures…They're digital, but sometimes I like the classic Polaroids.

Y.S.: Is there anything unusual on your tour rider?

T.S.: No! Riders are so funny. I don't even think I have one!

Y.S.: You don't like any candles or special foods or anything?

T.S.:
No! The only thing I like to have is water.