The shadow. That’s usually the first thing you notice when you look at the original red taylor swift cover from 2012. It’s heavy. It’s moody. It cuts right across her face, leaving only her signature red pout and the brim of a beige hat visible. Honestly, back then, it felt like a total departure from the sparkly, high-school-princess vibes of Fearless or the purple-ballgown-fairytale of Speak Now.
It was Taylor Swift, but she was hiding.
Most fans remember that specific 2012 image as the peak of "Tumblr-era" aesthetic. You couldn't scroll through a feed without seeing that high-contrast shot of her looking down, seemingly lost in thought. It felt intimate but weirdly distant at the same time. But if you look closely at the shift between that original cover and the 2021 re-recording—Red (Taylor’s Version)—you start to see a much bigger story than just a change in hats.
The Mystery of the Two Hats
So, let’s talk about the hats. People get genuinely heated about this. On the 2012 red taylor swift cover, she’s wearing a wide-brimmed felt hat that casts that famous, dramatic shadow. It was shot by Sarah Barlow and Stephen Schofield, who really captured that "late autumn in Nashville" feeling. The whole vibe was about being in the middle of the mess—being sad, being ecstatic, and being "miserable and magical" all at once.
Fast forward to 2021. The new cover, shot by Beth Garrabrant, features a very different Taylor. She’s in a vintage car. She’s wearing a "Mattie" burgundy cap by designer Janessa Leoné.
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Some fans actually complained when the new art dropped. They said it looked too much like her Evermore or Folklore era. Basically, "Evermore 2.0." But there's a reason for the shift. In the original, she’s looking down, shielded from the world. In the Taylor’s Version cover, she’s looking forward. She’s in the driver’s seat. Literally.
What the Red Ring Actually Means
Have you noticed her hand in the re-recorded cover? It’s not just resting there for no reason. She’s wearing a ring that says "RED" in silver block letters.
A lot of people think this was just a cute piece of merch, but it’s a massive symbol of ownership. During the original era, she didn't have that ring on the cover. Bringing it front and center for the re-recording was her way of saying, "This belongs to me now." It’s a flex. A subtle, stylish, $45 (at the time) flex.
The ring was actually designed by Cathy Waterman, and it became an instant holy grail for Swifties. But beyond the fashion, it grounds the image. Without that ring and the lipstick, the 2021 cover might have felt a bit too "cottagecore." That splash of crimson pulls it back into the world of autumn leaves and heartbreak.
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Why the Original Looked So "Grainy"
If you pull up the 2012 red taylor swift cover on a high-res screen, it’s not perfectly crisp. It’s got this film-like grain. Sarah Barlow has talked about how they wanted the shoot to feel like a "photograph taken by a friend."
They weren't trying to make a polished pop star poster. They wanted something that felt like a memory.
- The 2012 cover used a blue-ish, cooler filter.
- The 2021 version is much warmer, almost sepia-toned.
- The original focus was on the lips; the new focus is on the eyes.
That's the big nuance. In the original, we aren't allowed to see her eyes. We are looking at her from the outside. In the 2021 version, even though the hat is still there, her gaze is clear. She’s invite us in. It’s the difference between being 22 and heartbroken, and being 31 and remembering what it felt like to be 22.
The Designer Behind the "Taylor's Version" Look
When the Red (Taylor's Version) cover hit Instagram, Janessa Leoné—the designer of the hat—was actually caught off guard. She didn't know Taylor was going to use that specific cap for the main artwork. Suddenly, "The Mattie" was the most famous hat on the planet.
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It sold out instantly.
This happens a lot with Taylor, but the choice to use a female-owned brand for such a pivotal career moment wasn't an accident. The entire re-recording project is about female autonomy and taking back what’s yours. Using a hat from a woman-led business to replace the "old" hat was a quiet nod to that theme of empowerment.
Actionable Insights for the "Red" Aesthetic
If you're trying to capture that specific red taylor swift cover vibe for your own photos or wardrobe, it's not just about wearing a red scarf. You have to nail the lighting.
- Use Side Lighting: The 2012 look is all about "Rembrandt lighting." You want a light source from the side to create that deep shadow under the brim of a hat.
- Texture Over Color: Notice that both covers rely heavily on textures—wool, felt, leather seats. If you’re styling a shoot, skip the shiny fabrics. Go for matte.
- The "Blur" Factor: Don't be afraid of a little motion blur. The Red era is supposed to feel like a fleeting moment.
- Specific Red Tones: Don't just go for "bright cherry." You want a deeper, brick-red or oxblood. It needs to feel like it’s been through a Nashville winter.
Ultimately, the cover art isn't just a wrapper for the music. It's the visual thesis of the album. The original was about the chaos of losing yourself. The new one is about the peace of finding yourself again, even if you’re still wearing the same red lipstick.