Taylor Swift's Versace Denim Corset Is Actually a Sweet Travis Kelce Reference
I think I've seen this film before....

In all the excitement over the first Taylor Swift Chiefs game outfit of the football season—a double denim trend and thigh-high boots combo, for inquiring minds—fans might have missed the sweet backstory behind the singer's Versace denim corset. Spoiler: Her shirt is an Easter egg for a pivotal moment in her relationship with Travis Kelce.
Swift arrived to cheer on the Chiefs in Versace's Medusa top. It's a structured bustier with thin, adjustable straps and a cropped silhouette. At first glance, it was a sexy twist on the singer's WAG style from last season, when she mainly wore number 87 jerseys and cozy sweaters in Chiefs tones (with red lipstick to match). Swift being Swift, there was more than meets the eye.
Taylor Swift's outfit for the first Chiefs game of the season highlighted a denim corset by Versace.
Fashion journalist Sarah Chapelle, who researches every item Swift wears on the Instagram account @taylorswiftstyle, spotted that Swift wore a black version of the same Versace top on another special occasion: October 15, 2023, the night she and Travis Kelce attended a Saturday Night Live after party together in New York City. That time, Swift dressed for her relationship's hard-launch with matching black pants, a drapey checked overcoat by Gant, and Aupen's "Nirvana" bag. (Swift had attended her first Chiefs game weeks before their SNL visit, but she and Travis hadn't been officially photographed together.)
When Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce went public with their relationship in 2023, she wore a Versace corset top.
Corsets are a pillar of Taylor Swift's Tortured Poets Department era fashion, a personal style chapter tied to her latest album that's defined by romantic silhouettes. They've also been a fixture in Swift's Chiefs game day style. Most notably, Swift styled a Dion Lee corset into her 2024 Super Bowl outfit—and joined Kelce on the field following the Chiefs' win.
At the Super Bowl, Taylor Swift also showed her support while wearing a corset top (albeit by a different designer).
Attention on Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce's relationship is at an all-time high, but the pair hasn't been shy about lifting one another up in the press. (In an interview this week, Kelce said he's happy being Swift's "arm candy.") Re-wearing a piece that she debuted for a major milestone in their journey in front of thousands of fans in the stadium—and even more broadcast viewers at home—sure looks like a sign of sweet, yet subtle, support.
It also wasn't the only reference Swift made to their relationship in her outfit. Her denim hot shorts came from a brand called—wait for it—Grlfrnd. Clever!
The brand behind Taylor Swift's shorts was yet another clever nod to her relationship.
Long live Taylor Swift's eye for meaningful fashion moments.
Stay In The Know
Get exclusive access to fashion and beauty trends, hot-off-the-press celebrity news, and more.
Shop Corset Tops Inspired by Taylor Swift
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 like celebrity stylist Molly Dickson, to breaking news stories on noteworthy brand collaborations and beauty product 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 style trends—like the rise of emotional support accessories or TikTok’s 75 Hard Style Challenge—can say about culture writ large. She also 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. She 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 earned 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.
-
Kate Moss Is a Walking Time Capsule in Every 2016 Trend
She brought throwback looks to Stella McCartney's front row.
By Kelsey Stiegman Published
-
I Corrected My Facial Posture with New York’s Premier Face Sculptor
Joseph Carillo and his magic hands have me looking snatched for my wedding.
By Jess Graves Published
-
This New Spring Collection Is My Shortcut to 24/7 Power Dressing
Statement dresses, tailored separates, polished tops, and more will take me everywhere with ease.
By Brooke Knappenberger Published
-
The Row's It-Shoes Go Missing From Its Paris Fashion Week Fall 2025 Runway
Guests at the Fall 2025 show say shoes weren't on the runway.
By Halie LeSavage Published
-
Zoë Kravitz Styles The Row's Staple Pieces Head-to-Toe for a Sushi Girl Dinner
The actor put her own spin on the shacket trend for a sushi friend date in Los Angeles.
By Hanna Lustig Published
-
Katie Holmes Upgrades Her Accessories Collection With a Bejeweled Crossbody Bag
Meet your new handbag obsession.
By Halie LeSavage Published
-
Kaia Gerber Test-Drives Givenchy's New Era in a Ladylike Sheer Lace Dress
In a lace naked dress, at that.
By Hanna Lustig Published
-
The Best Looks From Le Grande Dîner du Louvre, AKA the French Met Gala
This night at the museum was especially stylish.
By Halie LeSavage Last updated
-
Meghan Markle and Serena Williams Power Lunch in Monochromatic Rich-Mom Outfits
The longtime besties linked up for a celebratory meal in color-coordinated outfits.
By Hanna Lustig Published
-
Kaia Gerber Pairs Her Chic New Trench Coat With The Row's $820 Minimalist Mary Jane Flats
The model seems to have added two new staple pieces to her wardrobe.
By Hanna Lustig Published
-
Kendall Jenner Slips Into a Tiny Mugler Mini Dress and Sheer Tights for Beyoncé's 2025 Oscars After-Party
The model managed to pull off another Mugler costume change for her second stop of the night.
By Hanna Lustig Published