If you caught Taylor Swift on the red carpet at the 2026 VMAs, you'll already know there's a new Taylor Swift hairstyle worth talking about. From her sleek new lob to the '90s-inspired look from her Opalite video, her signature fringe, and the vintage waves she keeps coming back to, this is your guide to recreating each one this autumn, extensions, shade and steps included.
Taylor Swift's Hair Right Now
Her shortest cut in years
Taylor's shortest cut in years made its red carpet debut at the 2026 VMAs on 27 September, a sleek, shoulder-grazing lob with flicked-out ends that's a big change from the long waves she's worn for most of the past few years. She'd apparently been wearing it for a few weeks before the VMAs, but this was the moment we saw it go properly viral. If you want to try one of the most recent Taylor Swift hairstyles, this is the one to go for.
Why her looks work so well for autumn
Warm brunette and honey-blonde tones, soft, undone texture, and cosy, low-maintenance styling, Taylor's whole aesthetic this year just happens to line up with everything autumn hair is about – but many of her album cover hairstyles are iconically autumnal too. The best part is you don't need to commit to a cut or a colour change to try any of it. With the right clip-ins, you can test out a whole new length or shade for the weekend, then go back to your usual look on Monday – it's one of the best things about hair extensions! Cliphair's been going since 2007, and in that time, we've built up an extensive shade range, so there's one to match most of Taylor Swift's hairstyles – and there are many (we imagine her hairdresser is very busy)!
Look 1: The 2026 VMAs Sleek Lob
The look
Sleek and shoulder-grazing with flicked-out ends, styled dead straight rather than wavy, and paired with a peachy-pink lip and winged liner instead of her usual red. It's a soft, polished look that would work just as well as an autumn look as it did on the VMAs carpet.
Extensions to use
If your hair already sits around shoulder length, you don't need extra length, just extra fullness. A 14" One Piece Top Up is exactly what this look calls for, since it's designed to add thickness rather than length, and it's a great match for fine or thin hair. A Halo isn't the one to reach for here, it's designed for longer looks and isn't suited to hair this short.
How to recreate it
Clip the top up piece in just below your crown, then straighten your natural hair and the extension together so they blend as one section. Once it's smooth, flick the ends out and away from your face using a round brush or the end of your straighteners. Finish with a light shine spray to get that glossy, red-carpet finish.
Look 2: The Opalite '90s Chocolate Brown Lob
The look
In her Opalite music video, Taylor swaps her usual blonde for a faded chocolate-brown lob with soft curtain bangs, styled with a proper '90s toolkit of claw clips, butterfly clips and scrunchies. It's a nostalgic look, but a genuinely wearable one for fringe season.
Extensions to use
A clip in fringe styled into curtain bangs is the easiest way into this one, in a warm mid-brown shade. Medium Brown (4) and Toffee Brown (5) are the closest matches to her Opalite colour. If you're not sure which will blend best with your own hair, our free colour match service takes the guesswork out.
How to recreate it
Clip the fringe in along your parting, then split it down the middle and blow-dry each side away from your face using a round brush, so it curves softly rather than sitting flat. For the full '90s effect, twist the back of your hair up and secure it with a claw clip.
Look 3: Taylor's Signature Fringe and Game-Day Waves
The look
Taylor's trademark look is her full, lash-grazing fringe paired with loose, lived-in waves, the same combination she's worn under a beanie at NFL games. Between the fringe and the beanie, it's about as autumn appropriate as hair gets! Channel Taylor Swift bangs from across the pond (or a Taylor Swift fringe as we'd call it!)
Extensions to use
Pair a clip-in fringe with Seamless Clip-Ins in 18" or 20" for the length and volume this look needs. Seamless suits all hair types, so whatever you're working with, this combination should blend easily.
How to recreate it
Clip in your Seamless set first, then wave your hair with a large barrel wand, leaving the very ends straight for that lived-in look rather than a full curl. Add the fringe last. If you're going for the beanie version, pull your hat on after you've styled the fringe, so it holds everything in place rather than flattening it. Our Ultimate Guide on How to Style Clip In Bangs should have all the info you need.
Shades to try
For her classic honey blonde, look at Dark Blonde (14), Light Golden Blonde (16), or a Blonde Mix (14/22) for a bit more dimension. Cliphair's collection of blonde shades has something for everyone.
Look 4: Old Hollywood Waves With a Red Lip
The look
Glossy, side-parted vintage waves paired with a bold red lip, a combination Taylor's gone back to time and again since her 1989 era. It's polished, a little dramatic, and perfect for anything from a party to an autumn date night. Taylor Swift red lipstick is a classic, and pairing it with waves is a truly glam combo.
Extensions to use
Seamless Clip-Ins give you the fullness this look really needs to hold its shape. A Halo is a quicker option if you're short on time, but it only works for hair-down styles, so keep that in mind if you want to pin any sections back.
How to recreate it
Curl your hair in sections, all in the same direction, and let each curl cool fully before you touch it, this is what gives you that lasting wave rather than one that drops in an hour. Brush the curls out gently into soft waves, push them forward at the side, and pin. Finish with a shine spray for that glossy, old-Hollywood look.
Look 5: Cosy Folklore Waves and a Low Plait
The look
Soft, undone waves and loose, low plaits, straight out of Taylor's Folklore era. It's an easy, cottagecore kind of look that pairs perfectly with chunky knits and an oversized coat.
Extensions to use
A wrap-around ponytail, either the 20" Classic or the 14" Mini, gives you a fuller low plait without much effort. Alternatively, Seamless Clip-Ins work well if you'd rather thicken up a side plait instead.
How to recreate it
Tie your hair into a low ponytail, wrap the ponytail extension around the base to hide the join, then plait loosely. Gently pull the plait apart section by section for that soft, undone volume, and leave a few face-framing strands out at the front. For more braided looks from this era, our post on 8 Taylor Swift Hairstyles to try for the Eras Tour has plenty more to try.
Look 6: Throwback Curls
The look
The bouncy, blonde curls from Taylor's earliest era, we're talking way back at the start of her career. If Taylor Swift curly hair is what you're after, this is the throwback to go for.
Extensions to use
Curly Clip-Ins are the one to reach for, since they're specifically designed for naturally curly or textured hair. They can't be heat styled or coloured, which means the curl pattern stays exactly as it arrives, no extra styling needed.
How to recreate it
Clip them in, then scrunch through a curl-defining cream to bring the curls together and keep them bouncy. Only ever brush them while wet with conditioner in, never dry, or you'll end up with frizz rather than definition.
Autumn Shades Inspired by Taylor
If you're looking for autumn hair colours with a Taylor twist, here's where to start.
Rich browns
Her Opalite colour is the inspiration here: Medium Brown (4), Toffee Brown (5), and Dark Brown (3) all these brown-toned shades bring that warm, faded-brunette feel with autumn hair colours.
Warm, honey blondes
Her signature dark blonde is easy to take a shade deeper for the season: Dark Blonde (14), Light Golden Blonde (16), or Oak Brondie all work.
Copper and auburn
Not a Taylor look as such, but these auburn and copper shades are seasonal favourites: Autumn Spice (30B), Cowgirl Copper (350/33), and Light Auburn (30).
Balayage blends
For a lower-commitment way into autumn tones, balayage shades like Chestnut Bronde, Cinnamon Swirl, and Chestnut Honey are worth a look. As always, if you're torn between shades, our free colour match service is there to help. For even more inspiration, see our 10 Trendy Balayage Ideas For Autumn.
Which Extensions Should You Choose?
Quick look-by-look guide
| Look |
Extensions |
Suggested Shade |
| VMAs Sleek Lob |
One Piece Top Up (14") |
Your closest natural match |
| Opalite Chocolate Brown Lob |
Clip-In Fringe |
Medium Brown (4) or Toffee Brown (5) |
| Signature Fringe & Game-Day Waves |
Clip-In Fringe + Seamless Clip-Ins (18"–20") |
Dark Blonde (14), Light Golden Blonde (16), or Blonde Mix (14/22) |
| Old Hollywood Waves |
Seamless Clip-Ins (or Halo for hair-down styles) |
Any rich, glossy shade |
| Folklore Waves & Low Plait |
Wrap-Around Ponytail (14" or 20") or Seamless Clip-Ins |
Soft, natural tones |
| Throwback Curls |
Curly Clip-Ins |
Warm blonde |
Want a longer-term look?
If you'd rather wear Taylor-style length every single day rather than clip in and out, tape-ins or our new Remy Royale Tape Wefts are worth considering. Both are fitted and removed by a qualified hair extension specialist, so you get salon-lasting results without any daily clipping.
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