Fans Are Heartbroken After Learning Why Ariana Grande Always Wore Oversized Sweatshirts and Thigh-High Boots

For years, Ariana Grande’s oversized sweatshirts and thigh-high boots were seen as a fun and confident fashion statement. Fans copied the look, and it quickly became one of her most recognizable styles. But according to Grande, the real reason behind those outfits was far from playful.

In an interview with Vogue published on January 26, the singer looked back at some of her most talked-about fashion moments. While reviewing photos from 2018, she explained that the clothes were not about trends at all. They were about survival.

At the time, Grande was dealing with intense emotional pain. She was still processing the 2017 Manchester bombing that happened after her concert. Not long after that, she lost her former partner, Mac Miller. She also went through a very public engagement and breakup that unfolded in front of the world. Looking back, she described that period by saying, “This was a very strange time in my life. I was processing a lot.”

Grande said her mental health was at its lowest point then. Getting dressed was not something she had energy for. Instead, she chose clothes that made her feel safe. “I genuinely at the time did not have the mental energy to consider clothing,” she told Vogue.

Wearing oversized sweatshirts helped her feel hidden. They allowed her to move through the world without feeling fully exposed. Still, she found small ways to hold onto confidence. She explained that while she wanted to disappear into cozy clothes, the boots gave her a boost. “I always wanted to hide away in something really cozy, but I remember that the boots still made me feel c**t,” she said.

Grande also admitted that it feels strange knowing how many people loved and copied that look. The truth behind it was much darker than fans realized. “I’m sorry to say it. This is just the honest truth,” she added, making it clear she wanted to be open about what was really going on in her life.

Today, things look very different for her. As of early 2026, Grande says she is in a much healthier and more balanced place. Her focus has expanded beyond music into acting and long-term creative goals.

She recently earned praise and award nominations for her role as Glinda in Wicked For Good, which was released in late 2025. She is also preparing for her Eternal Sunshine Tour, set to begin in June. It will be her first major tour in six years, and she has hinted it could be her last for a while.

Outside of music, Grande has several acting projects lined up. She will appear in the comedy Focker In-Law alongside Robert De Niro and Ben Stiller, and she is also joining the cast of American Horror Story for its upcoming 13th season.

In a separate interview with Vogue Japan, Grande shared that her main goal moving forward is balance. She said she wants to follow her instincts and stop living based on outside pressure.

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