Style

A com-purr-hensive history of ‘Cats’ star Taylor Swift dressing like a cat

By
Social Links for Elana Fishman
Published July 19, 2019, 5:15 p.m. ET
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“Cats,” the Tom Hooper-directed (and much-maligned) adaptation of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s feline musical, boasts a star-studded cast that includes Jennifer Hudson, Idris Elba, Judi Dench and Ian McKellen. But it’s Taylor Swift who’s arguably been prepping for her role as Bombalurina for the better part of a decade, having constantly worked cat-themed clothing and accessories into her outfits throughout her career. Most recently, she wore a pink metallic leopard-print Stella McCartney minidress to perform “Memory” with the rest of the cast and Jimmy Fallon on “The Tonight Show.”
“Cats,” the Tom Hooper-directed (and much-maligned) adaptation of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s feline musical, boasts a star-studded cast that includes Jennifer Hudson, Idris Elba, Judi Dench and Ian McKellen.

But it’s Taylor Swift who’s arguably been prepping for her role as Bombalurina for the better part of a decade, having constantly worked cat-themed clothing and accessories into her outfits throughout her career. Most recently, she wore a pink metallic leopard-print Stella McCartney minidress to perform “Memory” with the rest of the cast and Jimmy Fallon on “The Tonight Show.” Andrew Lipovsky/NBC
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July 2019 The pop star sported kitten socks while rehearsing her dance moves for the movie.
July 2019

The pop star sported kitten socks while rehearsing her dance moves for the movie. Universal
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April 2019 Swift showed up at pal Gigi Hadid's birthday party toting this cat bag by Anya Hindmarch.
April 2019

Swift showed up at pal Gigi Hadid’s birthday party toting this cat bag by Anya Hindmarch. Splash News
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August 2018 She rehearsed for her "Reputation" stadium tour wearing this kitty tee from Paul & Joe Sister.
August 2018

She rehearsed for her “Reputation” stadium tour wearing a kitty tee from Paul & Joe Sister. Getty Images for TAS
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August 2018 Swift freaked out her beloved feline Olivia Benson by wearing earrings featuring her furry face.
August 2018

Swift freaked out her beloved feline Olivia Benson by wearing earrings featuring her furry face. Instagram
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July 2018 The star stepped out in NYC wearing a very '90s graphic tee.
July 2018

The star stepped out in NYC wearing a very ’90s graphic tee. Splash News
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October 2018 Obviously, Swift worked cats into some of her tour merchandise.
October 2018

Obviously, Swift worked cats into some of her tour merchandise. Instagram
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July 2018 Make that ... a lot of her tour merchandise.
July 2018

Make that … a lot of her tour merchandise. Instagram
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August 2017 Snakes may have been the dominant motif of her "Reputation" era, but Swift still snuck in nods to her favorite animal, as with this Gucci tiger hoodie she donned for her "Look What You Made Me Do" music video.
August 2017

Snakes may have been the dominant motif of her “Reputation” era, but Swift still snuck in nods to her favorite animal via pieces like this Gucci tiger hoodie she donned for her “Look What You Made Me Do” music video. YouTube
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November 2016 Double your felines, double your fun! Swift layered this leopard A.L.C. coat over a Dolce & Gabbana top adorned with a crown-wearing kitten.
November 2016

Double your felines, double your fun! Swift layered this leopard A.L.C. coat over a Dolce & Gabbana top adorned with a crown-wearing kitten. Splash News
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August 2015 She paired Charlotte Olympia's kitty-faced heels with a matching purse by the same brand for date night.
August 2015

She paired Charlotte Olympia’s kitty-faced heels with a matching purse by the same brand for date night. Splash News
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March 2015 And carried yet another Charlotte Olympia cat purse to lunch in LA (with a leopard-spotted dress, natch).
March 2015

And carried yet another Charlotte Olympia cat purse to lunch in LA (with a leopard-spotted dress, natch). Splash News
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August 2014 Swift got down to "this sick beat" in her "Shake It Off" video wearing an Aritzia cat sweater.
August 2014

Swift got down to “this sick beat” in her “Shake It Off” video wearing an Aritzia cat sweater. YouTube
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August 2014 And showed some love for "The Great Catsby" in this pullover from Wildfox Couture.
August 2014

And showed some love for “The Great Catsby” in this pullover from Wildfox Couture. Splash News
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March 2013 This cat-ear headband proved the purr-fect accessory for her "22" video.
March 2013

This cat-ear headband proved the purr-fect accessory for her “22” video. YouTube
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November 2012 The star prowled around London wearing this polka-dotted French Connection sweater featuring a tiny kitten face.
November 2012

The star prowled around London wearing this polka-dotted French Connection sweater featuring a tiny kitten face. Splash News
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October 2012 The "Love Story" hitmaker's Charlotte Olympia cat pumps date back to 2012, when she wore them on the BBC Radio 1 Teen Awards red carpet.
October 2012

The “Love Story” hitmaker’s Charlotte Olympia cat pumps date back to 2012, when she wore them on the BBC Radio 1 Teen Awards red carpet. Getty Images
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October 2012 Swift biked around Paris while shooting her "Begin Again" video wearing the flat version of the same feline footwear.
October 2012

Swift biked around Paris while shooting her “Begin Again” video wearing the flat version of the same feline footwear. Splash News
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October 2012 Yep, she also owns the slippers in navy velvet.
October 2012

Yep, she also owns the slippers in navy velvet. Splash News
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January 2012 And Swift picked this cat-print ASOS dress for a day of shopping in London.
January 2012

And Swift picked this cat-print ASOS dress for a day of shopping in London. Splash News
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