Taylor Swift Grammy 2012 Performance: What Was With Those Clothes? (PHOTO)

Taylor Swift looked like her shiny, sparkly self while walking the 2012 Grammy red carpet. The Grammy winner (and this month's Vogue covergirl) was all high-fashion, sporting a Zuhair Murad gown, Prada shoes and jewels by Neil Lane.

But when she hit the stage, performing "Mean," she channeled another vibe entirely. Grasping a banjo and singing alongside a group of ragtag bandmates, Taylor looked shabby-chic... minus the chic. Her drapey dress was a washed-out floral print and her backup players looked like they had been pulled from the set of a Great Depression period film.

At least, those were our first reactions. But folks on Twitter had a few more clever comparisons. Check out our favorites below and offer your best quips in the comments section.

PHOTO:

Comments

[BobSacomano]

11:58 AM on 05/04/2012

Now if only her talent would catch up to her looks, she's gotten plenty of mileage from that face.

[mandomitch]

03:34 PM on 02/21/2012

The look is nothing new. New Age Old-Time string bands have been doing it for a while. Alison Krauss' album "Paper Airplane" had a similar theme to its cover. The Old Crow Medicine Show has been doing the look for ten years. That said, Taylor is undeniably cute in anything she wears.

[RenataLMartinez]

03:37 PM on 02/19/2012

she's so amazing! and you'all critics are worried about the instead of than her voice, her music, her talent? com' on !!!!

[BushDemocrat87]

12:02 AM on 02/17/2012

The artsy effort by Taylor Swift went right over most people's heads, it seems. It was easy to see that the song was written in response to a 'mean' and nasty review of one of her performances. (A duet with Stevie Nicks, to be exact) She nailed that bully, as well as every other bully of every kind with her intense glare she brought from behind the vintage mic. Pure Genius. As for the hillbilly band-mates: obviously a nod to her country roots. And, a short story about someone who comes out of obscurity to make it big.

As a 59 year old man, I am certainly not part of her fan base. But, my favorite set of the night, by far.

[RenataLMartinez]

03:35 PM on 02/19/2012

you are my idol. I think exactly like you. Tay is the best. she's such an artist.

[BushDemocrat87]

12:44 PM on 02/20/2012

Thanks, I always wanted to be an idol!

Just for fun, check out an old classic on YouTube: "You're So Vain", and compare Taylor's line "Some day, I'll be singing this at the Grammys" with the line "You probably think this song is about you".

[Hutchy]

01:23 PM on 02/15/2012

Criticism for dressing modestly, criticism for dressing like a hooer.

Quiet, please. She has a wonderful singing voice. You sound like that guy criticizing Adele.

[mcattcald]

10:12 AM on 02/15/2012

Listen to the lyrics... there's a very personal story behind "MEAN". A blogger on a mission to destroy her emotionally...

[mcattcald]

10:06 AM on 02/15/2012

I loved loved loved the performance... I play it over and over again. What a zinger to a talent-less Blogger critic. Criticize if you want but don't take it to another level where your words become downright "MEAN". Unlike in some instances when entertainers respond to critics using curses and in some instances bullets Taylor wrote simple yet thought provoking lyrics. Take this in your face BULLY!!!

[BushDemocrat87]

12:05 AM on 02/17/2012

I'm just as annoyed as you. Seems like the art of her performance went right over many heads. Stumped by a 21-year-old. I also posted a reply.

[shartne]

02:40 AM on 02/15/2012

Man she is so cool no matter how she dresses. She has talent and looks to kill. When your hot your hot! when your not your not. And she is red hot! no matter what! the talent and beauty just oozes from her pores. Pretty cool theme! Its country. It humble I think its refreshing.

[mcattcald]

09:57 AM on 02/15/2012

I agree... for me that rendition of "MEAN" was over the top the best performance of the evening! The song should become the anti bully anthem. I laughed and cheered her on!!! You don't have to like her music, but nothing gives you the right to eviscerate, to deMEAN, to humiliate.... just don't purchase, don't listen to her music... So in the war between a mean-spirited individ and a kind spirited one.. kindness won out.. Taylor used her bully pulpit to respond to the obvious pain a BLOGGER.. no less caused her. She achieved her goal in spectacular hillbilly chic fashion... a true Class Act...

[carlinaia]

09:13 PM on 02/14/2012

Perhaps this was her audition for a part in a historic film (a' la COAL MINERS DAUGHTER, which garnered Cissy Spacek an Academy Award)? In her case she'd look good dressed in a potato sack. And this is a SHOW. She dressed to the 9's where necessary.

[unsweetened T]

07:55 PM on 02/14/2012

I liked the dress. You're just mean.

[5pants]

06:54 PM on 02/14/2012

I thought it was refreshing. Go ahead and boohoo this style...but I think it will have legs.

[thejadedentrepreneur]

05:57 PM on 02/14/2012

It was to distract from her sophomoric lyrics and mediocre singing ability. Compare her lyrics to Adele's (who is only a few months older than Taylor) and I dare you to still say that Taylor is a talented song writer.

[BushDemocrat87]

12:08 AM on 02/17/2012

Sounds like the whining of a Jaded Entrepreneur. Hope to hear your song at the Grammies some day.

[HexonT3]

05:50 PM on 02/14/2012

Like it or not she certainly garnered a lot of reaction. I didn't know fully what to think, but I think she had fun with it! Personally I like it when an artist takes a chance with something different. I really think that is part of the role of an artist, to surprise if they can. Bravo to Taylor for the nerve!

[lady joanna]

06:09 PM on 02/14/2012

He, I thought she had fun with it as well and was dressed for the song. Sure beats all the skin showing on others. She's a cute young lady and is doing it her way and getting wealthy along the way.

fanned for a very sensible post

[Michael Pohanka]

05:50 PM on 02/14/2012

If the author did not know, this type of clothing Taylor use since releasing a videoclip Mean . And I can not help myself, it just fit the song more than any expensive clothes.

[vinnie2930]

05:29 PM on 02/14/2012

If you all noticed, the audience [ TRUE PROFESSIONALS , who know whats good and not so good ], gave TS a STANDING OVATION !!!!!