Ariana Grande’s old-school sweater-and-boots combo is back in the spotlight, thanks to a fresh Vogue video that’s got everyone talking. Released in late January 2026, her “Life in Looks” segment has U.S. fans revisiting that 2018 style oversized sweatshirt, thigh-high boots, high ponytail and realizing it wasn’t just a trend. A viral clip shared by Pop Crave nailed her exact words, pulling straight from the interview, and it’s sparking real conversations about pop star life under pressure.
A tweet from X.
In the Vogue video, directed by Alexandra Gavillet and hosted by Sergio Kletnoy, Grande breaks it down at around the 8:38 mark. Looking at a 2018 photo of herself in the look, she says:
“This was a very strange time in my life, I was processing a lot. I always wanted to hide away in something really cozy, but I remember that the boots still made me feel ct. I genuinely at the time did not have the mental energy to consider clothing. So the easiest thing for me was to throw on a sweatshirt and a cty boot and that was how it happened.”
The Pop Crave post on X from January 26, 2026, quotes this verbatim, and it matches the official Vogue upload word for word.
This wasn’t about chasing trends. Grande was dealing with heavy stuff back then, like the aftermath of the 2017 Manchester Arena bombing at her concert, which left her with lasting trauma. Then came the 2018 death of her ex, Mac Miller, from an accidental overdose, plus the quick end to her engagement with Pete Davidson. She called it a time of “all-consuming” grief in earlier chats. The outfit let her feel covered up and safe while still stepping out with some edge no stylist tricks, just real coping.
What started as her go-to for bad days turned massive. Paparazzi snaps in New York City showed Grande rocking it everywhere, from apartment exits to casual strolls. Brands like Stuart Weitzman and Giuseppe Zanotti hooked her up with boots, but fans ribbed her online with memes yelling for “a pair of f***ing pants!” By 2019, though, it defined late-2010s streetwear. Oversized hoodies spiked in sales think Vetements and Champion and the no-pants vibe influenced everyday American fashion, from TikTok recreations to celeb copycats.
U.S. fans on X and Reddit are all in, sharing empathy like
“This hits hard depression dressing but make it iconic.”
Replies highlight the authenticity: one user noted how it blends “vulnerability with bold sensuality.” At 32, Grande’s honesty feels fresh in 2026, especially post her Wicked films and Eternal Sunshine album. It’s reminding people that stars aren’t immune to low points, turning old criticism into appreciation.
Grande’s story flips the script on how we judge celeb style. What media once called lazy was actually resilience a comfort zone that accidentally shaped a decade’s trends. In U.S. entertainment, where mental health talks are louder than ever, this shows fashion as survival, not show. It’s a win for real talk, proving icons like her build legacies through honesty, not perfection.
