The Girls of 2014 — No. 2

Julien Macdonald | Alice + Olivia | Romona Keveza | Zuhair Murad | Michael Kors | Calvin Klein

No matter how hard you tried, Taylor Swift was one name you simply could not shake off this year. The girl was literally everywhere. Her new album 1989 debuted to phenomenal commercial and critical success and with it came a new, even poppier sound and a brand new Taylor. Gone are the acoustic guitars and cowboy boots and curly ringlets. The 2014 Taylor is urban, stylish, and sleek, and she's ready to rock.

I'll be the first to admit that I haven't been the biggest fan of Swift's past music or personality. Country pop is so not my thing, and I kind of can't stand when celebrities are continually "surprised" by their own success (see: Jennifer Lawrence). However, Taylor Swift has grown into a confident and empowered young woman and she is owning her fame and success now. She's not crying about boys that got away anymore; she's singing songs about going Amy Dunne on their asses and poking fun at the way the media paints her as a serial dater. She even poked fun at critics who say she can't dance in the video for her hit single "Shake It Off", so haters continue to hate (hate, hate, hate, hate) but know that Taylor really doesn't care what you think. She's totally rocking it no matter what the critics say (also, "Shake It Off" is likely going to bring Swift more Grammy glory come February).

In regards to style, T-Swift definitely upped her fashion game this year. With a new look and plenty of fashion friends like BFF Karlie Kloss, Swift is appearing more glam and modern both on the red carpet and out and about in her new hometown of New York City (Have you seen what she wears to and from the gym??). The crop top has become one of her signature looks and it's never seemed so polished as it does on Swift. She also totally made the matching set trend catch on this summer. Talk about a trendsetter!

Her lob has become one of the hottest hairstyles of the moment, and her signature red lip has never seemed so stylish. She can go from a sexy lace romper at the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show to a cat-print Kate Spade frock in a second and look cool and fun in either one. Now that's something that will never go out of style.

So pump up the volume and bust a move to 1989 and just accept the fact that this is Taylor Swift's world now, we're all just living in it. And frankly, I'm okay with that.

Who will be the Number 1 It Girl of 2014? Check back tomorrow to see!