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Fans Gutted After Learning Why Ariana Grande Really Wore That Sweatshirt and Boots Look
Ariana Grande's signature style from a few years back—massive oversized sweatshirts paired with thigh-high boots and that sky-high ponytail—was absolutely everywhere. Everyone was copying it. But now fans have found out what was actually going on behind it, and they're heartbroken.
In a recent Vogue video where she talks through her different looks over the years, Ariana opened up about that outfit. She called it "a very strange time" and admitted she was dealing with some really heavy stuff emotionally. She just didn't have it in her to think about what to wear. "I genuinely at the time did not have the mental energy to consider clothing," she said. The huge sweatshirt felt safe and like she could hide in it, whilst the boots gave her at least a bit of an edge and some confidence.
This was all happening after the Manchester Arena bombing in 2017, which left her with PTSD, then Mac Miller's death in 2018, and a messy, very public breakup on top of that. She was grieving, barely keeping it together, and fashion was the last thing on her mind—she just threw on whatever felt easy and gave her some comfort.
People online are saying how gutting it is that everyone was obsessed with the "aesthetic" without realizing she was actually struggling badly. Loads of fans are properly sad reading her explanation now, understanding it wasn't some cool fashion statement—it was just her trying to get through each day when everything felt too much.
It's a quiet reminder really: sometimes the most "iconic" looks are covering up the toughest times.