Don’t judge me, but I’ve become a massive Taylor Swift fan — and one of her videos from her just-released album has an 18th century/Cinderella theme. The song “Bejeweled” is actually my favorite on the album — good melody and beat, great theme (she’s been rejected by the guy who she’s into, but who cares because she can still turn all eyes) — and while the video isn’t exciting in a frock flicks/costume way, it seemed like we should post about it, so here we are!
First, here’s the video if you’d like to watch it:
No costume designer is listed on IMDB, but here we go:
Taylor has been “exiled” to work as a scullery maid for an awful family. She gets to wear a dirty sleeveless sort-of-Edwardian, sort of medieval Lengberg bra blouse and skirt combo.
I think the petticoat is attached?
Her awful step-sisters are played by the bandmembers of Haim. The lefthand one’s dress doesn’t fit her AT ALL.
The right-hand sister’s dark purple cutaway dress is probably my favorite; the middle girl…
Is wearing yet another gown inspired by this famous portrait: Portrait of Madame de Pompadour by François Boucher, 1756, Alte Pinakothek
According to Recycled Movie Costumes, it was first worn in a 2007 episode of CSI: NY (what?) and then in a 2017 episode of Encore! – Back to the Woods.
What I don’t get is why everyone who reproduces it — and it has been reproduced a TON — never does it in its original colors? Dark green, dark blue, whatever, none of them are very 18th century, and what, does Pompadour’s color palette suck or something?
Laura Dern plays the step-mother. Her dress has great serpentine trim on the skirts, but is sadly missing hoops.
Her hair lists forward in a very Edwardian pompadour sort of way.
Of COURSE the step-sisters have Battenberg lace fans, just to annoy me!
At least nothing is back lacing?
Dita von Teese randomly shows up as the fairy godmother. I only figured out that was supposed to be her role by looking at the credits on IMDB. She does look gorgeous as always!
Taylor gets a coordinating sparkly pinup outfit.
Taylor then goes on to do some kind of 1920s burlesque stage performance?
Bejeweled, get it?
“Queen Pat,” aka makeup artist Pat McGrath, approves. She’s in a faux-Renaissance outfit (I think?) with a ruff, although with a bad faux-18th century wig, and I’m unclear about why she’s surrounded by portraits of randos.
The step-sisters are PISSED; maybe because they have to wear the same outfits to the ball? And are clearly victims of hairpin rationing?
Taylor “wins” the prince in an 18th century-esque burlesque outfit. Brits will hopefully understand when I say Girls Aloud did it better.
Taylor’s wig also lists forward in a very Edwardian way.
In the end, Taylor ghosts the prince but takes the castle, which she enjoys in this yellow française.
Which has pretty silver trimming.
Let the art wash over you!
I totally forgive you. Honestly, I have to because my Baby Orchid is a YUGE Swifty and I would get disowned otherwise. lol 😉
This is a fun romp of a video. I was thrilled to see Dita. Personally, I now want my fairly godmother to look like that.
Yikes lol I thought Frock Flicks was my safe “no chance of a TS-sighting” space …guess no place is safe after all.
Nowhere is safe anymore from her.
I love this video lol. I know it’s not the perfect historically accurate recreation of the 18th century BUT I had fun – and I like that in the end she takes the prize and ditches the prince haha.
I love the sleek outfit at the beginning (personal taste) but I enjoyed the video as a fun romp. I fully support taking the castle while leaving the prince.
I love the original Pompadour colors and would wear the crap out of that. Of course, the kids on my bus might look at me a little strangely… :)
Loved the video. Taylor is awesome.
In the shots of the yellow francaise, it appears Taylor Swift has introduced a new twist to the ever-popular “head necklace”– “head dress clips.”
I got mad first time I saw it because Dita is in it and it misrepresents my beloved burlesque (yet again) as something skinny white girls in crystal encrusted corsets do with their clothes on, when it’s a radical, hilarious, inclusive form which all shapes, sizes, genders, colours, abilities and ages participate in and get their clothes OFF.
But, having seen it again because of this, I will put this aside and it was FUN. And yes I like the song. I also like anti-hero. I like a fair bit of this album. And I am trying not to diss Taytay just because it’s her. Hating on our women artists is something I’m really trying not to do.
Poor Taylor is also the victim of beachy waves with her yellow francaise! Hey, that rhymed!
I’m all about ditching a shitty prince and keeping the castle with dragons. I was waiting for the castle to have many cats, but dragons are very close.
If TS has the castle, it will be full of cats soon.
I love it when y’all do fun reviews of music videos!
there are several versions of Mme de Pompadour’s portrait by François Boucher.
One of them (in Edimburg) is blue,as Mme de Merteuil’s dress in dangerous liaisons. https://www.rivagedeboheme.fr/medias/images/francois-boucher.-madame-de-pompadour-1756-58-.jpg