Taylor Swift's Opalite Necklace Sparks Online Controversy 

Taylor Swift’s latest merch drop for her new album ‘The Life of a Showgirl’ has led to tense online discourse, with fans divided over the design of the since removed ‘Opalite’ necklace.

The controversy began with TikTok user @samplre1513’s post claiming that the lightning bolts side by side along the necklace’s chain resemble ‘SS’ symbols, and that the eight bolts shown could be a dog whistle to far-right numerical codes.

Other fans jumped to defend the Popstar, pointing out that the lightning imagery is in reference to the lyrics ‘dancing through the lightning strikes’ from her new song ‘Opalite’.

Also contradicting the dog whistle accusations is the fact that, while the viral pictures of the necklace depict it with only eight lightning bolts, the necklace in fact has twelve. The number is likely a reference to Showgirl being Swift’s twelfth album.  

The necklace has since been removed from her official merch site. Despite online uproar, Taylor Swift has not publicly addressed the controversy, further fuelling fans’ speculation and debate.

In light of the similarly skeptical public reaction towards Sydney Sweeney’s American Eagle campaign, released earlier this year, it’s clear that fashion remains closely entwined with politics. Whether these are cases of ridiculous overreach or valid criticism of careless design, the passionate responses highlight how intently consumers now examine celebrities' design and endorsement choices.