Let’s Talk About Taylor Swift’s Vetements Boots

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Back in February, eagle-eyed Taylor Swift fans noticed something strange; the pop star had acquired a new pair of shoes, ones that didn’t even slightly resemble the high-heeled oxfords and colorful platform pumps for which she’s known (and frequently maligned). They were goth, calf-high black boots that, with their 5.5-inch heel height (including a 2-inch platform), boosted 5’10 Swift up to nearly 6’4. And they were by Vetements, arguably the most talked-about label in fashion right now. These boots were so incredibly out of character for the singer that those who follow her every move (myself included) immediately suspected that, to paraphrase her 2012 duet with Ed Sheeran, everything had changed. For her style sense, at least.

Photo: Fame Flynet

We were right. This morning, Taylor Swift’s third Vogue cover hit the web — and in the accompanying photos, Swift wears a bevy of avant-garde looks from the likes of Proenza Schouler, Marc Jacobs, and Saint Laurent. More importantly, however, she wears her Vetements boots in nearly every shot, including the one that made the cover. The shoes are even mentioned in Jason Gay’s interview: "Recently, [Swift’s] been seen strutting in a pair of Gothy, over-the-ankle boots that look stolen from the closet of Siouxsie Sioux."

Also of note: The singer's been spotted wearing (and shopping at) Isabel Marant and Saint Laurent over the past couple of months, probably after realizing that said boots didn’t match much in her existing wardrobe. At any rate, judging by the palpable shift in the singer’s style surrounding her shoot, these Vetements shoes could be the start of something big. "Going through different phases is one of my favorite things about fashion," Swift tells Gay. "I love how it can mark the passage of time. It’s similar to my songs in that way—it all helps identify where I was at in different points of my life."

Hear that, Swifties? Considering how heavily Swift’s style seems to influence her sound — the pop star was constantly spotted in crop tops throughout the summer leading up to the release of her ‘80s-inspired smash 1989, after all — perhaps an angsty rock effort is next.

Want to snag Swift's new favorite shoes for yourself, and have $1,655 to spend? You can pick up a pair at Net-a-Porter or SSENSE.