Olivia Rodrigo Faces Backlash Over Babydoll Dress as Taylor Swift Link Sparks PR Speculation

Olivia Rodrigo has come under criticism online after wearing a babydoll-style outfit during a recent performance in Barcelona, with some social media users accusing her team of trying to shift attention by linking her fashion choices to Taylor Swift.

The backlash grew after Rodrigo performed at Spotify’s Billions Club event on Tuesday, 12 May 2026, wearing a Génération78 micro-dress with matching bloomers. Rodrigo’s supporters described the look as inspired by 1990s riot grrrl and punk fashion, but critics called it “infantilising” and inappropriate.

The discussion became larger after Vogue published a fashion article connecting Rodrigo’s outfit to a recent look worn by Taylor Swift at a dinner in New York. The article grouped Swift, Rodrigo, and Sabrina Carpenter together as part of a growing babydoll dress trend.

Some Taylor Swift fans reacted negatively online, claiming the timing of the article seemed designed to soften criticism aimed at Rodrigo by associating her style with Swift’s more widely accepted fashion choices. One Swift fan account criticised Vogue, writing that a “magazine of your level should not be accepting paychecks for articles driven by PR stunts.”

There is no evidence that Rodrigo’s public relations team influenced the article or attempted to involve Swift in the controversy.

Babydoll dresses are short, loose-fitting dresses with a high waistline, often made with lightweight fabrics and soft details such as lace, ribbons, or puff sleeves. The style first became popular in the 1950s and has remained a recurring trend in mainstream fashion for decades.

Although some people argue the silhouette can appear overly youthful, others say the criticism is unfair and that adults have worn babydoll dresses for many years. Supporters also point out that the style is often used in punk, grunge, and alternative fashion, where it is paired with heavier accessories like boots or leather jackets.

The renewed attention has also revived online discussion about the reported tension between Rodrigo and Swift. Rumours of a feud began after Rodrigo’s song Deja Vu added Swift and her collaborators to the songwriting credits because of similarities noticed by listeners between the song and Swift’s Cruel Summer.

Rodrigo had previously described Swift as one of her biggest inspirations, but fans later noticed she stopped mentioning the singer as frequently in interviews. Neither artist has publicly confirmed any personal conflict, and much of the speculation has been driven by fan theories online.