Take a journey through V&A South Kensington’s galleries to discover iconic looks worn by pop phenomenon Taylor Swift. Each of the 13 stops on this trail showcases a chapter in the songbook of Taylor’s career and spotlights a particular era of her music and prolific songwriting.

The trail takes around 60 – 90 minutes and occurs across four floors of the museum. It is approximately 1 mile long and includes multiple flights of stairs or lifts. Arrive at the Cromwell Road entrance and head to the Welcome Desk to start the trail. V&A staff will be on hand to guide you, and a step-free route is available.

Stop 1: Lover – Map link: Room 126, Britain, Level 3

This look transformed Swift into a ‘playboy millionaire’ for her The Man video. Directed by Swift, the video plays with gender stereotypes. The single is taken from her Lover album, which is a playful and celebratory work, in contrast to the darker tone of the preceding album reputation.

Stop 2: reputation – Map link: Room 119, Britain, Level 3

This striking costume was worn on Taylor Swift’s first stadium tour. With darker, more combative music and lyrics, reputation explores the impact of fame and the media on the life of the artist. Looking back, Swift described this work as ‘a goth-punk moment of female rage at being gaslit by an entire social structure’. The snake motif, as seen on the boots, typifies the reputation era aesthetic.

Stop 3: Speak Now – Map link: Room 52b, The Norfolk House Music Room, Level 1

Speak Now is the first Taylor Swift album to be completely self-written, featuring songs that with ‘brutal honesty, unfiltered diaristic confessions and wild wistfulness’ detail her transition to adulthood. As a songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and singer, Taylor Swift is at the helm of her creative output. This ukelele was used on the Speak Now World Tour.

Stop 4: Red – Map link: Room 54a, Britain, Level 1

This fisherman’s cap was worn on the cover of Taylor Swift’s 2021 album Red (Taylor’s Version). The original album marked a shift in approach, incorporating elements of rock and pop music alongside her familiar country sound. The gown on display was worn by Swift in the music video for ‘I Bet You Think About Me’, a ‘From The Vault’ track on Red (Taylor’s Version).

Stop 5: Fearless – Map link: Room 48a, The Raphael Cartoons, Level 0

Reflecting Taylor Swift’s passion for fairytales and storytelling, this theatrical costume was worn for performances of ‘Love Story’ on her first headline tour, the Fearless Tour. The song reimagines Shakespeare’s tragedy Romeo and Juliet as a story with a happy ending. Swift doodled ’13’ on her hand each night of the tour, an early taste of the unique ways she communicates with her fanbase. This album won Swift her first ‘Album of the Year’ Grammy award.

Stop 6: 1989 – Map link: Room 48a, The Raphael Cartoons, Level 0

The release of the 1989 album saw Taylor Swift move away from the world of country music, cementing her place as one of the undisputed Queens of Pop. The synth-pop-inspired album features assertive lyrics which explore her responses to living in the public eye. The album won Swift her second ‘Album of the Year’ Grammy, a first for a female performer.

Stop 7: Taylor Swift – Map link: Room 40, Fashion, Level 0

Taylor Swift’s groundbreaking self-titled debut album was released when she was just 16. The young songwriter fused traditional country with contemporary pop, crafting autobiographical guitar-based songs which detailed the trials and tribulations of adolescence. Its huge crossover appeal spiked interest in country music for a new generation. This stage look is customised with designer cowboy boots.

Stop 8: evermore – Map link: Room 82, Paintings, Level 2

Evermore was released in 2020 as a continuation and creative conclusion of the folklore recording sessions. Combined, the sister albums reveal songs that saw Swift move away from her established autobiographical style, instead creating magical, wistful worlds inspired by fantasy, nature, and fiction. willow is the third self-directed music video by Swift. The pages from the original storyboard show how the story unfolds.

Stop 9: folklore – Map link: Room 87, Paintings, Level 2

Folklore was a surprise album, recorded and released by Taylor Swift during the pandemic. Written in isolation, it explores dreamy narratives of introspection, longing, and escapism in intimate songs where ‘the lines of fantasy and reality blur’. This cardigan became a favourite among members of the ‘Swifties’ fandom and sparked a tradition of a new cardigan for every era.

Stop 10: Midnights – Map link: Room 110, Prince Consort Gallery, Level 2

A concept album inspired by sleepless nights, Midnights is ‘a collection of music written in the middle of the night, a journey through terrors and sweet dreams’. Sonically experimental, the album includes nods to electronic and synth-pop as well as R&B. The album broke streaming records on its release, was the bestselling album of 2022 and won Swift her fourth ‘Album of the Year’ Grammy Award.

Stop 11: Records and re-records – Map link: Room 110, Prince Consort Gallery, Level 2

In 2021 Swift began re-recording her first six albums to take back control of her catalogue. Each new edition is subtitled ‘Taylor’s Version’ and includes reworked versions of her original compositions as well as additional tracks ‘From The Vault’. This shirt dress features previous album titles and was worn when Swift was awarded ‘Artist of the Decade’ at the American Music Awards in 2019.

Stop 12: The Tortured Poets Department – Map link: Room 25, Sculpture, Level 0

In February 2024 Swift announced her forthcoming album The Tortured Poets Department as she received the ‘Best Pop Vocal Album of the Year’ Grammy Award for Midnights. An example of her extraordinary creative output, this double album features 31 tracks. Its eclectic mix of poetic and emotional songs reference a range of female artists including Patti Smith, Stevie Nicks and Clara Bow.

Stop 13: Childhood – Map link: Room 64b, Medieval and Renaissance, Level 1

Born in Pennsylvania on 13 December 1989, Taylor Swift began writing songs at a young age. The little girl with big dreams can be seen here in a selection of childhood photos, alongside the music video for ‘The Best Day’, which celebrates Swift’s relationship with her mother. Her talent for songwriting and performing would eventually catapult her to international stardom.