Taylor Swift’s influence on pop culture, and fashion, continues to grow with each album she releases. Her signature item, the cardigan, began as a lyrical metaphor in her 2020 song “cardigan” and quickly transformed into a full-blown aesthetic, marked by the release of a limited-edition knit sweater tied to her folklore album. Since then, the cardigan has become a centerpiece of Swift’s branding, with each new design reflecting the tone and visuals of its corresponding era. The recent debut of the Fearless (Taylor’s Version) cardigan has reignited interest in this now-iconic line of collectible knitwear. I myself own two cardigans, the 1989 cardigan and the folklore cardigan. As someone deeply familiar with this corner of swiftie culture, here’s my ranking of every official Taylor Swift cardigan, evaluating each based on design, thematic relevance and overall impact.
10. The Tortured Poets Department
There’s subtle, and then there’s forgettable — and unfortunately, this cardigan leans toward the latter. With its all-gray design and lack of distinctive details, it barely registers as official Taylor Swift merch. For an album as intense as “The Tortured Poets Department,” this cardigan feels oddly quiet and understated. Maybe that minimalist approach was intentional, but in comparison to the others, this one just doesn’t say much.
9. 1989
“1989 (Taylor’s Version)” is an album full of seagulls, sunsets, and synth-pop perfection — but the cardigan brought none of these. The bright blue is definitely bold, but it doesn’t scream 1989 the way the album’s visuals do. It’s fun, and as an owner of this cardigan myself, I do not hate it at all, it just falls short in comparison to others.
8. Holiday (Beige)
This cardigan is one of two attempts at a festive twist, but the beige base with red trim just doesn’t do it for me. The color combo feels a little off, especially when there’s already a similar palette in the lineup that’s way cuter, the folklore cardigan. While still seems cozy, it lacks the charm and emotional pull of the original folklore cardigan.
7. Speak Now
This one’s tough to rank so low, especially with its deep purple color and sparkle details, but it just ends up feeling a bit boring. For such an emotionally charged era, the cardigan doesn’t quite live up to the drama. It’s pretty, but not particularly wearable or memorable.
6. Red
I really do love this one. It’s simple, classic, and totally captures the Red era’s cozy, autumnal side. But compared to some of the other cardigans, it just doesn’t stand out as much. It’s cute and nostalgic, but others are definitely better.
5. Fearless
As the newest addition to the cardigan collection, the Fearless design features a subtle golden color that remains relatively neutral. While it may not be as versatile or eye-catching as some of the other designs, its newness gives it a certain charm, and it really matches the whole vibe of the Fearless album.
4. Holiday (Gray)
This cardigan combines muted gray with forest green, creating a calm, earthy aesthetic that feels both cozy and understated. While it may not have the bold presence of some other designs, its simplicity and warm color palette make it a versatile and timeless piece.
3. Midnights
Midnights captures a sleek, polished vibe with its deep navy tones and subtle light blue star accents. The design reflects the album’s deep, reflective vibe, and I especially love the rich navy, not only because it’s my favorite color, but because it also feels very timeless and full of depth.
2. Lover
This cardigan embodies a soft, whimsical aesthetic, similarly to the album. Its cream base and pink heart buttons adds a gorgeous touch. The subtle pink accents contribute to a light, cheerful vibe that feels both uplifting and serene. Overall, the cardigan is adorable and was a really nice surprise when it was released.
1. Folklore
The original, the foundation, the cardigan that set the standard. With its moody black-and-cream color scheme and cable-knit texture, this piece perfectly embodies the folklore aesthetic. The buttons add a touch of whimsy, making it not only a cozy garment but also a reflection of the album’s haunting, ethereal qualities. It remains, without question, the standout piece of the collection. This is not only my favorite album of Swift’s, but my favorite cardigan as well, and something I wear often due to the easy nature of it to style.
