"Clara Bow" peaked at number 22 of the Billboard Global 200 and reached the top 25 in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Singapore, and the United States.
[6] Prior to the album release, the family of actress Clara Bow, whom the track is named after, said they hoped the song would encapsulate her legacy.
[8] Clara Bow biographer David Stenn also praised Swift's song, describing the lyrics "beauty is a beast that roars down on all fours" as "poetry" and "profound.
Billboard's Jason Lipshutz praised the song for its production, dubbing it "careful pop rock" and highlighting its self-referential outro ("You look like Taylor Swift") and depiction of beauty.
[3] Dakota West Foss from Sputnikmusic commented that "Clara Bow" ended the album "with intriguing and, more importantly, genuine self-reflection that examines the weight of her crown".
[12] Beats Per Minute's John Wohlmacher similarly said "Clara Bow" is one of Swift's best songs, attributing it to its "gorgeous melody and urgent pre-chorus".