How Taylor Swift, Beyoncé, and more are dropping fashion moodboards faster than albums

You know how growing up, we always tried to dress like our favourite pop stars? Of course, back then, it was just street style and overall vibe. Cut to today, music and fashion have intertwined to an extent where artists are actually cultivating an aesthetic with each new album they release. And Taylor Swift might have a lot to do with it. 

Wait, let's rewind.

Music and fashion are both powerfully expressive, and one almost always influences the other. Back in the '70s and '80s, punk rock fans embodied the grunge aesthetic with ripped jeans and t-shirts held together with safety pins, while disco fans rocked sequins with every look, even as metalheads went full goth glam with all black fits, leather jackets, lace tights, and the like. This relationship between the two is not a new phenomenon. But over the years, it has undergone a transformation and evolved into something far more immersive, where artists are building entire aesthetic worlds around their sound.

They’re going back in time, borrowing from different eras, and bringing with them a fashion moodboard that’s as intentional as their lyrics. Every album now comes with its own colour palette, texture, and silhouette, moving on from emotion-driven albums to era-inspired aesthetics.

From playlists to closets

So when we said Taylor Swift had a lot to do with it, we’re talking about her Eras Tour. It was more than just another concert. You can even go so far as to call it a fashion archive because the stadiums were a runway filled with fans who dressed like their favourite Swiftie album. Each one represented a different mood and musical phase—the shimmery golden tones of Fearless, the soft, muted knits of Folklore, the romantic, fairytale-esque fits of Speak Now, and, of course, the bold Red lips. And these looks were recreated to perfection. Fans mirrored every detail, whether it was bedazzling their boots or adding the perfect pair of earrings. These era-inspired looks became a shorthand for an emotion that fans associated with Taylor Swift. You had sequins for nostalgia, lace and tulle for heartbreak, and fringe for joy. 

And the virality of the tour only proved her influence on music beyond the album artwork. What she created was less a tour and more a living museum of aesthetics. But it’s not just Swift. Several artists are using Swift's playbook as a guide, dropping music albums that have a full visual identity—releases with a signature palette, a unique narrative, and a very specific style code.

Take Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter, for instance. Her Western-inspired era redefined Americana with a couture twist—think denim, leather, fringe, and wide-brimmed hats that felt more high fashion than honky-tonk. Every look, from custom Mugler and Balmain to Schiaparelli, had this fierce, feminine energy that made the cowboy aesthetic feel brand new again. For weeks, everyone was recreating her looks, especially during Coachella season. Sabrina Carpenter, meanwhile, is busy bringing back old-school glamour in the most fun way possible. Her pastel co-ords, sparkly mini dresses, rhinestones, and that dramatic winged eyeliner paired with a 1960s-style blowout are pure retro perfection. She even made vintage swimwear the next big thing with her ‘Espresso’ video, which went viral in a matter of days.

And it’s not just pop stars setting the tone. Indie artists like Cigarettes After Sex are influencing fashion in a big way, too. Their moody, monochrome aesthetic with soft tailoring, sheer fabrics, and a palette that’s basically fifty shades of black and white. Closer to home, Peter Cat Recording Co. are giving us all the nostalgia feels with their sepia-toned performances, turning every show into a stylish little time capsule.

The aesthetic economy

Every big album drop today comes with its own visual universe that instantly spills over into fashion. Instagram and TikTok creators then decode these visuals, turning inspiration into outfits within hours, with feeds turning into living, breathing moodboards, sailing away from the good old days of Pinterest boards. 

And brands have caught on to this shift. Luxury fashion houses pick up on these trends and partner with musicians to build entire worlds around their sound, while high-street labels are quick to translate viral aesthetics into capsule collections. Campaigns too blur the line between a concert and a couture show; Valentino has taken cues from stage lighting, and Balenciaga has built full soundscapes for its runways. In short, sound has become style’s newest language, with different genres shaping different trends. 

Hip-hop continues to dominate streetwear trends, with oversized silhouettes, bold logos, and statement jewellery as cultural identity. Country made a big comeback with Cowboy Carter and a new generation of genre-blending artists, bringing back denim, fringe, and the cowboy boot renaissance with a fierce feminine energy. Indie and dream-pop acts lean into minimalism and nostalgia, with muted tones and fluid tailoring. And K-pop, always one step ahead, turned experimental accessories, gender-fluid dressing, and polished coordination into global style staples.

Fashion’s new rhythm

This constant back-and-forth between sound and style is rewriting fashion’s own calendar. Traditional spring/summer and autumn/winter drops may give you a few trends, but album releases set the tone. And while Swift's The Life of a Showgirl may not be as well received by fans, it is definitely ushering in a “disco revival” moment, with brands leaning into rhinestones, sheer fabrics, and retro silhouettes. 

Fashion journalists are calling it “moodboard marketing”, where musicians, not designers, set the emotional tone of a season. It’s less about forecasting trends and more about following the beat.

Let's just say, the line between sound and style has never been thinner. Artists are visual storytellers, fans are creative collaborators, and every song has the power to start a new fashion moment. Music and fashion have always shared a rhythm—but right now, they’re moving in perfect sync. So before you ask us, yes, in 2025, your outfit says as much about your playlist as it does about your personality. 

Lead image credit: Getty Images 

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