Last week, Taylor Swift swooped in and singlehandedly saved 2020 with the surprise release of her eighth studio album, folklore. The record was a secret to everyone except Taylor (seriously, her label didn’t even know about it) and immediately reached number one on the US iTunes chart. We screamed. We cried. We looked up cardigans.
Yes, cardigans, in honour of the first single off the album in which the singer compares herself to a jumper and sings, ‘And when I felt like I was on old cardigan under someone’s bed / You put me on and said I was your favourite.’ Oh, Taylor, you’ll always be our favourite.
Since the release of the accompanying music video, the Internet has collectively gone insane for the chunky, cream cable-knit cardigan Taylor wears in the video. And luckily for us, it’s available to buy online, along with the album. However, if you’re part of a certain inside circle, you might find your cardigan has already arrived in the post…
Now, it’s no secret that Taylor Swift is big fan of having a set friendship group. No one will ever forget The Squad and the FOMO-inducing pictures that came out of their Fourth of July parties at Taylor’s Rhode Island beach house every summer (and I will never forget the despair of not being invited, despite only being an hour away in Massachusetts. What happened to my invite, Taylor?)
This time around, if the celebrities receiving gifted cardigans are anything to go by, it seems as if The Squad is gone and in its place is The Cardigan Crew. Bigger, more diverse and certainly more comfy looking, is this The Squad 2.0? Here’s your guide to every celebrity in Taylor Swift’s Cardigan Crew. We think ours must’ve gotten lost in the post…
Taylor Swift's Cardigan Crew - Grazia
Jonathan Van Ness
1/5 of Netflix's Queer Eye's Fab 5, Jonathan Van Ness appeared along their co-stars in Taylor Swift's music video for You Need To Calm Down last summer. Since then, they have been vocal in their support for Taylor, especially when it comes to politics.
Bobby Berk
Bobby Berk, Queer Eye's interiors expert, was also in the YNTCD music video.
Tan France
Tan France, also of the Fab Five, was in fewer scenes of the YNTCD video than his co-stars, but squashed any rumours of a rift with Taylor in an Instagram statement that read, 'Taylor Swift's new video is out now, and it's a celebration of Equality! Thanks for having us, Taylor Swift. P.S I was filming my new show the day the other boys shot their part, and I'm so sad I missed their tea party.'
Natalia Bryant
Natalia Bryant, daughter of the late basketball legend Kobe Bryant, has been a fan of Taylor Swift for many years as Taylor became closer to the family. During Taylor's 2015 tour, Kobe Bryant appeared on stage with her.
Suki Waterhouse
Model Suki Waterhouse and her boyfriend, actor Robert Pattinson, have been spotted on double dates with Taylor and her boyfriend, actor Joe Alwyn.
Jameela Jamil
Taylor has been a huge fan of activist and actress Jameela Jamil for awhile, publicly praising her for her work around body positivity several times. Jameela also presented Taylor with Billboard's Woman of the Year award in 2019.
Monica Aldama
Monica Aldama, head coach from Netflix's Cheer, is a bit of a random pick, but we loved the show, too, so we get it.
Jennifer Hudson
Jennifer Hudson starred alongside Taylor in the live action remake of Cats.
Spencer Pratt
Spencer and his wife, Heidi, are huge Taylor Swift fans and even brought their son, Gunner, to meet the singer during her Reputation tour.
Haim
Haim opened for Taylor Swift during her 2015 1989 tour and were members of the OG Squad.
Ava Phillippe
Reese Witherspoon's look-alike daughter, Ava, received a cardigan in the mail, much to the envy of her mum.
Millie Bobby Brown
Millie Bobby Brown has always been a huge fan of Taylor's and the two have been pictured together at events several times.
Ruby Rose
Taylor and Ruby Rose have been friends since 2015, when the actress made an appearance on the 1985 world tour.
Elle Fanning
We're not sure when Elle and Taylor became friends, but her caption is exactly how we reacted to the new album, too.
Loren Gray
TikTok star Loren Gray appears in the music video for Taylor's song, The Man.
Nina Nesbitt
Scottish poster Nina Nesbitt credits Taylor for inspiring her career in music and Taylor featured Nina's song, Last December, on her Apple Music playlist.
Kesha
Taylor and Kesha have been friends for years, and in 2017 Taylor donated $250,000 to Kesha's legal fees in her case against Dr Luke.
Martha Hunt
Model Martha Hunt was one of the members of the original Squad and has been friends with Taylor for almost 10 years.
Abigail Anderson
Abigail Anderson is Taylor's lifelong best friend; they met as teenagers in Nashville.
Hayley Kiyoko
Singer Hayley Kiyoko was also in the YNTCD music video and joined Taylor on-stage for a surprise performance in Boston on the Reputation tour.
Adam Rippon
Olympic figure skater Adam Rippon also appeared in the infamous YNTCD music video.
Jesse Tyler Ferguson and Justin Mikita
Jesse Tyler Ferguson was, you guessed it, also in the YNTCD video. The actor and Taylor also performed Taylor's hit Shake It Off at the Stonewall Inn's 50th anniversary celebrations in 2019.
Maren Morris
Country singer Maren Morris is a friend of Taylor's who appeared on stage with her in Dallas during the Reputation tour.
Kelsea Ballerini
Taylor and country singer Kelsea Ballerini have been friends for years.
Adam Lambert
Another star of the YNTCD music video!
Fletcher
Taylor Swift showed her support for singer Fletcher earlier this year when she posted on Instagram, saying 'This is absolutely stunning,' after the singer and Niall Horan covered Taylor's song Lover.
SEE MORE: Taylor Swift's Hairvolution From Teenage Ringlets To A Blunt Fringe
Taylor Swift's Hairvolution From Teenage Ringlets To A Blunt Fringe
Click Through For More >>
taylor swift hair 2
Cascading, tight curls is the Taylor we first fell for
taylor swift hair 3
Playful, natural hair for teenage Taylor
taylor swift hair 4
Glossy ringlets were Taylor's original go-to
taylor swift hair 5
A sideswept curly fringe for an awards show
taylor swift hair 6
A polished updo fast became Taylor's signature - along with sequinned gowns
taylor swift hair 8
Looser, more ethereal curls to watch a Fashion Week show
taylor swift hair 7
Angelic with a sweet braided 'do
taylor swift hair 9
Looser, more ethereal curls to watch a Fashion Week show
taylor swift hair 10
Glossy and gorgeous, this was one of Taylor's first forays into fringe-dom
taylor swift hair 11
Taylor's first big chop was this - taking off a few inches and playing with the texture of her hair
taylor swift hair 12
Sleek and polished, we were happy to see Taylor embrace a fringe
taylor swift hair 13
A truly sexy style with a full fringe and slept-in lengths
taylor swift hair 14
Va Va Voom! This sultry bob marked the beginning of a more grown up Taylor
taylor swift hair 15
Textured and wavy, this bob for the VMAs paid homage to Taylor's curly roots
taylor swift hair 16
Going for the chop! Debuting shorter locks in 2013
taylor swift hair 17
Going for the chop! Debuting shorter locks in 2013
462986996
Working some serious root lift in 2014 - and the trademark swept-over fringe, of course.
463705884
Soft waves through the front of Taylor's hair frame her face beautifully
464328302
This is pretty edgy for Taylor - a slicked-back, wet-look 'do that's seriously on trend.
464483812
A twisted chignon and a little lift at the crown makes for an elegant style.
466537392
A Taylor classic - strong side part and soft, soft waves.
taylor-swift-bob
Taylor looks cute and chic with this fringe and bob combo. A full fringe just above her eyes and sleek lengths make for one very sophisticated 'do, no?
taylor-swift-hair
Hello, bombshell. We love the old Hollywood glamour vibe Taylor's channelling here with those big curls and swept-over fringe. A deep side parting completes the look. We love.
taylor-swift-ponytail
This is a statement look from Swifty. Wet-look tresses swept into a tight, low ponytail is her most directional look yet - and we're feeling it.
taylor-swift-straight-hair
Taylor certainly knows how to get a lot of looks out of one cut. Working her bob into a teased and tousled voluminious 'do, we think Taylor looks tres French, no?
READ MORE: Taylor Swift Has Turned 30 And No Longer Cares What Anyone Thinks Of Her
READ MORE: Inside Taylor And Joe's Secret Night At The Globes