If there is one item that defines the era of Taylor Swift's current attire, it is the corset top.

Taylor Swift, who has worn corsets and bustiers everywhere from the MTV VMAs (plaid tartan) to the Chiefs game (more plaid, with glitter freckles to match), touched down in New York City on Friday, October 11, surprise date night outfit in Soho that even incorporated naked dressing. She chose a Gucci lace corset with a sheer layer of lace over skin-colored fabric, which she paired with a leather mini skirt from RtA.

Between these two pieces and Louis Vuitton black leather ankle boots, Swift and stylist Joseph Cassel Falconer could have been paying homage to the original “Bad Blood” music video. However, Swift was actually headed to the restaurant The Corner Store with her boyfriend Travis Kells for a double date with best friend couple Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds. So what better way to complete the spicy yet romantic look than with Ralph Lauren's classic fall camel coat and soft Old Hollywood curls.

Accessories for the first night back in New York blended the Elas Tour mastermind's all-time signatures with her new favorite trends. Swift's bright red lipstick made a comeback, paired with a gold manicure and a Ben Amun coin necklace.

On the other hand, the one not tangled in Kels' arms looked fresh with a Dior saddle bag, a favorite style shared by celebrities from Jennifer Lopez to Sarah Jessica Parker (at least when she's impersonating Carrie Bradshaw).

Kels also sported a Matisse-inspired illustrated Jacums polo shirt, navy pants, and white sneakers, perfect for date night.

Swiffies could spend weeks trying to find the significance of her fresh gold necklace. The “Fortnite” singer wore a chunky choker for the first time at the 2024 Grammy Awards, announcing the impending arrival of the “Tortured Poet category” with a watch choker set at midnight. After wearing it once more on the eve of the London Erath Tour performance, Swift appears to have replaced the statement piece with a series of gold chain link necklaces.

It doesn't take any Easter egg-like deduction to know that Swift's current personal style is her most glamorous period to date. She has been embracing the more waist-cinching, boudoir-adjacent styles by Vivienne Westwood, Versace, and Dion Lee for almost a year now. One of her recent tops, the denim Versace corset she wore to the Chiefs' home opener, was a sweet reference to Travis Kels: it was the exact same one she wore on their first public date in 2023, only in a different fabric.

As Marie Claire's exclusive Taylor Swift style chronicler, I have to commend her for her late-night twist on high-low styling. Gucci's corset draws candlelight and glances, while Ralph Lauren's camel coat is a classic itself. Put the two together and it's exactly the kind of combination I'd want to copy on my next New York date. And by the time I do, Swift will be showing off another unexpected styling of her beloved corset top.