The Fine Line - The Fashion of Harry Styles
By Hannah Schmidt-Rees
““I’m not sprinkling in sexual ambiguity to be interesting.””
At only 26 years old, Harry Styles has becoming one of the biggest fashion icons for the younger generations.
Starting his career as part of One Direction, Styles has always been one of the most fashion-forward members. Subtly wearing garments from Saint Laurent, Gucci and Burberry, his sense of style led to British Style Award in 2013.
Even since One Direction went on hiatus in 2016, Styles has pursued his own solo musical career, beginning with his eponymous album; Harry Styles. After years of his image being controlled by marketing teams, stylist and managers, his newfound control over his image in his solo career lead to some of his most iconic looks yet. Styles’ style (no pun intended) can be summed up in a few key ways; he channels gender ambiguity in a way that references the major rock/pop stars before him, becoming the ultimate symbol of freedom of identity. He uses fashion to create a message of kindness, creativity and acceptance.
Fusing 60s and 70s trends; patterns, rich fabrics, silhouettes are all used to create a fully unique outfit. Bellbottom trousers are combined with large lapels, rich lamé combined with modernised Nudie Suits. Outfits are accessorised with platform heels and a vast number of rings. Every outfit wears oozes with editorial edge, an artistic and fashion-history-aware viewpoint that makes his looks so different from other musicians his age.
““I think for both my music and fashion, my main influence was probably Shania Twain. Yeah, I think she’s amazing.””
(I’d also like to note that Styles also takes inspiration from Princess Diana, very nice indeed)
Dressing as Elton John for a Halloween Party.
In June 2019, Styles became the face of Gucci, serving as a muse and being featured in many unique photoshoots and marketing material. He also became a co-host for the 2019 Met Gala themed around Camp (fitting). He’s also known for repping designs from gender-nonconforming fashion designers, including Harris Reed, Marc Jacobs and Charles Jeffrey.
As much as I’d like to break down his fashion on deeper level, noticing the historical details and gender-bending moments, that’s not how Styles views his fashion. He wear certain things because he think they’re cool, not because it’s a women’s shirt or that it’s bound to cause a reaction. He wears what he want because he wants to. Nothin more, nothing less. This way of viewing fashion is honestly the best way. Fashion is essentially fabric. Yes, it comes in different colours and is sewn together in different ways, but that’s all it is. If you like something, wear it. Never feel restricted by other’s opinion, because guess what, you’re the one wearing it.
While, it’s amazing that Styles is not afraid to fully use fashion to explore his unique identity, I’d just to mention his long-time stylist; Harry Lambert, who can be credited for helping Styles along his fashion journey.
Also, I couldn’t help myself, so here are some of my favourite looks:
Wearing Charles Jeffrey at The Late Late Show with James Corden.
Wearing Marc Jacobs at the 2020 Brit Awards.
““For me, it’s not like doing it to send a message. Part of being on the last tour, when people came to watch the show, I realised, ‘Oh, these people just want to see me be myself, and I’m telling them to be themselves.”
”And I just didn’t want to be a hypocrite. I do it when I’m not working, so to me it doesn’t feel like it’s, ‘Oh, I’m sending a message with my nail polish.”
”I just put a lot less weight behind it, I think.””
For AnOther Magazine.
““He’s got his nails painted, he’ll wear a women’s sweatshirt with shorts. He plays with what you would think of as women’s - he’s very unencumbered by what men and male pop stars are expected to wear.””
Wearing Archie Alled-Martinez on stage in London 2019
