Taylor Swift Skips the iHeartRadio Music Awards in Her Most Casual 'Tortured Poets Department' Look Yet

Her virtual acceptance speech came with a low-key outfit idea—and maybe some Easter eggs.

Taylor Swift appears in a virtual acceptance speech at the iHeartRadio Music Awards
(Image credit: iHeartRadio Music Awards)

Here's the thing about Taylor Swift's personal style: Even when she's skipping a red carpet and delivering an acceptance speech over Zoom, she's going to stick with her current album cycle's aesthetic. Such was the case with honors the burgeoning director and decorated singer accepted remotely on Monday night, in a low-key take on her uniform for the The Tortured Poets Department era.

Swift virtually accepted three fan-voted trophies at the 2024 iHeartRadio Music Awards: Artist of the Year, Pop Artist of the Year, and Tour of the Year. In a pre-recorded acceptance speech televised at the Los Angeles, California, event, Swift appeared on-camera in a navy blue bodysuit and touches of gold jewelry. Her signature red lip and side-parted blonde hair were also in (virtual) attendance.

"I want to say thank you so much to anyone who voted for this award," Swift said in her acceptance recording. "You've all been so incredibly supportive over the entire course of my career, but especially this year has been pretty spectacular and I am so grateful for that."

Swift's look was a 180-degree turn from the custom Schiaparelli Grammys outfit she wore earlier this year, with a laid-back vibe more suited to another Nobu lunch date with Travis Kelce than a step-and-repeat. (The iHeartRadio Music Awards are as casual as awards shows come, allowing artists to show their personal style in a more relaxed setting.) Joseph Cassell-Falconer, her longtime stylist, likely worked on the look with her.

While the pair didn't comment on her remote awards show bodysuit—they rarely make statements about her outfits in general—it did have an obvious parallel to her upcoming album's cover. Just like in theTortured Poets' artwork released so far, Swift wears tight-fitting underpinnings in a neutral tone. This time, eagle-eyed fans attributed the navy bodysuit to Alix NYC; on variations of the album cover, she's wearing similarly understated pieces by The Row.

Swift also repeated two accessories fans have noted before: her T-bar gold necklace and T-initial charm earring.

Overall, the look's mix of neutral basics and flashes of gold jewelry aligned with the preppy-chic outfits she's tied to her upcoming album. From casual dinners with friends in New York City, to stops on the Eras Tour in Sydney, Australia, Swift has teased the Tortured Poets' moody soundscape with academic pleats and structured leather accessories, hailing from designers like Miu Miu, Sandy Liang, and The Row.

In Swift's long history of awards show appearances, the iHeartRadio Music Awards are usually a chance for the singer to take a more playful approach to her current album era's aesthetic. At her last appearance, in 2023, she winked at the Midnights era's hazy glamour in a hooded, bejeweled Alexandre Vauthier jumpsuit. For Lover in 2019, she shimmered in a pastel sequin romper and butterfly-embellished heels; for a remote Folklore win during the 2021 pandemic, she opted for folksy florals and a braided crown bun.

Taylor Swift at the 2023 iHeartRadio music awards in a glittery bodysuit

Taylor Swift attended the 2023 iHeartRadio Music Awards in a sparkly bodysuit by Alexandre Vauthier, befitting the dark glamour of the Midnights era.

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Taylor Swift at the 2019 iHeartRadioMusic Awards

Back in 2019, Swift embraced the pastels and optimism of the Lover era in a pailette-coated bodysuit and Sophia Webster heels embellished with butterflies.

(Image credit: Getty Images)

All the bodysuits, corset tops, pleated mini skirts, and loafers Swift has worn over the past several months will (likely) correspond with expanded album visuals when Tortured Poets finally arrives. As if Swifties needed reminding, the "Anti-Hero" artist noted in her speech that her highly-anticipated eleventh studio album is weeks away.

"You know, we have so many exciting things ahead of us. I'm continuing on with the tour, and most importantly, I have a brand new album, The Tortured Poets Department, which comes out April 19. I can't wait to share it with you," she said. "I just can't wait to keep having fun with you guys, because we have a lot of exciting things coming up."

Note the repetition: Swift mentioned "exciting things" twice. While other Swifties decode whether her double allusion is some sort of Easter egg, you can shop variations on Swift's low-key bodysuit and jewelry pairing below.

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Halie LeSavage
Senior News Editor (Fashion & Beauty)

Halie LeSavage is the senior fashion and beauty news editor at Marie Claire, where she assigns, edits, and writes stories for both sections. Halie is an expert on runway trends, celebrity style, emerging fashion and beauty brands, and shopping (naturally). In over seven years as a professional journalist, Halie’s reporting has ranged from fashion week coverage spanning the Copenhagen, New York, Milan, and Paris markets, to profiles on industry insiders including stylist Alison Bornstein and J.Crew womenswear creative director Olympia Gayot, to breaking news stories on noteworthy brand collaborations and beauty launches. (She can personally confirm that Bella Hadid’s Ôrebella perfume is worth the hype.) She has also written dozens of research-backed shopping guides to finding the best tote bags, ballet flats, and more. Most of all, Halie loves to explore what trends—like the rise of doll-like Mary Janes or TikTok’s 75 Hard Style Challenge—can say about culture writ large. (She justifies almost any purchase by saying it’s “for work.”) Halie has previously held writer and editor roles at Glamour, Morning Brew, and Harper’s Bazaar. Halie has been cited as a fashion and beauty expert in The Cut, CNN Underscored, and Reuters, among other outlets, and appears in newsletters like Selleb and Self-Checkout to provide shopping recommendations. In 2022, she was awarded the Hearst Spotlight Award for excellence and innovation in fashion journalism. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in English from Harvard College. Outside of work, Halie is passionate about books, baking, and her miniature Bernedoodle, Dolly. For a behind-the-scenes look at her reporting, you can follow Halie on Instagram and TikTok.