Taylor Swift’s Reputation-Coded Look Signals the Return of 2013’s Most Controversial Shoe Trend

With a nod to her sixth studio album and millennial fashion, Swift brings back the divisive platform boots that defined the early 2010s.

Taylor Swift is no stranger to making headlines with her fashion choices, but her latest outfit isn’t just turning heads—it’s signaling the comeback of one of the most polarizing shoe trends of the early 2010s. Stepping out in New York City on September 21 for a girls’ night with supermodel Gigi Hadid, Swift brought her signature flair, combining a mix of “Reputation”-era style cues with a millennial fashion flashback that’s hard to miss.

The 34-year-old pop icon paired Ramy Brook’s plaid Derrick Pleated Miniskirt with a long-sleeve black crop top and layered gold necklaces, including what appears to be a flipped initial choker—a small detail that will undoubtedly fuel countless fan theories. But it’s Swift’s choice of footwear that has everyone talking.

According to Page Six, she completed the look with a pair of Vivienne Westwood’s snakeskin Pleasure Boots, inspired by Victorian-era fashion. However, for many millennials, these shoes conjure up memories of a more modern—and divisive—era: the early 2010s, when Jeffrey Campbell’s Litas dominated fashion blogs and street style alike. Known for their towering five-inch platform heels and unconventional designs, Litas were both loved and loathed in equal measure.

The Return of a 2010s Icon

Though the Vivienne Westwood boots are elegant and in line with Swift’s current “Reputation”-coded style, they inevitably draw comparisons to the Lita—a shoe trend that had millennials in a firm grip from 2010 to 2013. The chunky platform design, which made its debut over a decade ago, was deemed both shockingly comfortable and incredibly divisive. The shoe came in a dizzying variety of styles, from lace and glitter to leopard print and glow-in-the-dark fur.

At its height, the Lita was a phenomenon. By 2013, The Daily Beast had declared it the “world’s ugliest shoe,” yet that didn’t stop the Lita from being produced in 164 different colors and 65 variations. Sharon Blackburn, a former Jeffrey Campbell employee, explained the relentless demand for fresh iterations: “Every season, new materials or heel treatments were added,” she told The Cut in 2023, noting styles that ranged from paint-splattered suede to spiked and studded leather.

Despite being polarizing, the Lita left an indelible mark on millennial fashion—and now, it seems ready for a comeback. Jeffrey Campbell recently relaunched the iconic design, including the spiked versions that once ruled the streets and blogs. Unsurprisingly, many of the relaunch’s most nostalgic styles, like the suede variant, have already sold out.

Swift’s Millennial Style Legacy

Swift’s choice to step out in a look that mixes modern flair with nostalgic elements from her “Reputation” era and millennial fashion underscores her role as both a fashion icon and a savvy trendsetter. As she continues to reclaim her music catalog, there’s no doubt that her sartorial choices will remain steeped in symbolism, as fans eagerly analyze each outfit for hidden Easter eggs.

But beyond the nods to her past albums, Swift’s style taps into something even more universal: a deep-rooted connection to the trends of her generation. Whether it’s reintroducing the plaid skirts that ruled the early 2000s or hinting at a full-blown revival of the Lita, Swift knows exactly how to tap into the fashion nostalgia that resonates with her millennial fanbase.

As Jeffrey Campbell’s iconic Lita prepares for its second act, there’s no better ambassador than Taylor Swift to guide the trend back into the spotlight. After all, if anyone can bring back a controversial shoe with style and grace, it’s the woman who has effortlessly navigated countless musical and fashion eras. And with Swift leading the charge, the Lita is primed for a triumphant return to the fashion forefront.

4o

With a nod to her sixth studio album and millennial fashion, Swift brings back the divisive platform boots that defined the early 2010s.

Taylor Swift is no stranger to making headlines with her fashion choices, but her latest outfit isn’t just turning heads—it’s signaling the comeback of one of the most polarizing shoe trends of the early 2010s. Stepping out in New York City on September 21 for a girls’ night with supermodel Gigi Hadid, Swift brought her signature flair, combining a mix of “Reputation”-era style cues with a millennial fashion flashback that’s hard to miss.

The 34-year-old pop icon paired Ramy Brook’s plaid Derrick Pleated Miniskirt with a long-sleeve black crop top and layered gold necklaces, including what appears to be a flipped initial choker—a small detail that will undoubtedly fuel countless fan theories. But it’s Swift’s choice of footwear that has everyone talking.

According to Page Six, she completed the look with a pair of Vivienne Westwood’s snakeskin Pleasure Boots, inspired by Victorian-era fashion. However, for many millennials, these shoes conjure up memories of a more modern—and divisive—era: the early 2010s, when Jeffrey Campbell’s Litas dominated fashion blogs and street style alike. Known for their towering five-inch platform heels and unconventional designs, Litas were both loved and loathed in equal measure.

The Return of a 2010s Icon

Though the Vivienne Westwood boots are elegant and in line with Swift’s current “Reputation”-coded style, they inevitably draw comparisons to the Lita—a shoe trend that had millennials in a firm grip from 2010 to 2013. The chunky platform design, which made its debut over a decade ago, was deemed both shockingly comfortable and incredibly divisive. The shoe came in a dizzying variety of styles, from lace and glitter to leopard print and glow-in-the-dark fur.

At its height, the Lita was a phenomenon. By 2013, The Daily Beast had declared it the “world’s ugliest shoe,” yet that didn’t stop the Lita from being produced in 164 different colors and 65 variations. Sharon Blackburn, a former Jeffrey Campbell employee, explained the relentless demand for fresh iterations: “Every season, new materials or heel treatments were added,” she told The Cut in 2023, noting styles that ranged from paint-splattered suede to spiked and studded leather.

Despite being polarizing, the Lita left an indelible mark on millennial fashion—and now, it seems ready for a comeback. Jeffrey Campbell recently relaunched the iconic design, including the spiked versions that once ruled the streets and blogs. Unsurprisingly, many of the relaunch’s most nostalgic styles, like the suede variant, have already sold out.

Swift’s Millennial Style Legacy

Swift’s choice to step out in a look that mixes modern flair with nostalgic elements from her “Reputation” era and millennial fashion underscores her role as both a fashion icon and a savvy trendsetter. As she continues to reclaim her music catalog, there’s no doubt that her sartorial choices will remain steeped in symbolism, as fans eagerly analyze each outfit for hidden Easter eggs.

But beyond the nods to her past albums, Swift’s style taps into something even more universal: a deep-rooted connection to the trends of her generation. Whether it’s reintroducing the plaid skirts that ruled the early 2000s or hinting at a full-blown revival of the Lita, Swift knows exactly how to tap into the fashion nostalgia that resonates with her millennial fanbase.

As Jeffrey Campbell’s iconic Lita prepares for its second act, there’s no better ambassador than Taylor Swift to guide the trend back into the spotlight. After all, if anyone can bring back a controversial shoe with style and grace, it’s the woman who has effortlessly navigated countless musical and fashion eras. And with Swift leading the charge, the Lita is primed for a triumphant return to the fashion forefront.

4o