Transcending Men’s Fashion

How Harry Styles is redefining mens fashion

By: Hailey Juen

Harry Styles is changing the standards of men’s fashion worldwide. From the first time he wore a dress on the cover of Vogue to the sparkling jumpsuits he wears on stage now, Styles has never followed the status quo.

He first began stepping out of the box of gender norms in his later One Direction years with billowy, vibrant button-downs and suits, but the controversy about his style kicked into motion in 2020 after the new issue of Vogue was released. Styles was the very first man to grace the cover of Vogue with a solo shoot, and he did it in no other than a ruffled Gucci gown. The dress was a bold choice and a message to the world about stereotypical gender boundaries. Many people viewed this as his chance to make a stand against the societal norms surrounding men’s clothing.

Since then, his outfits have only become more wild and bold, encouraging everyday individuals to step out of their box and other celebrities. The red carpet has become much more than plain black suits in the past couple of years, with designers expanding their creativity as celebrities feel more comfortable in their own skin. For example, Timothee Chalamet recently rolled out on the red carpet in a bright red pantsuit with an open back and halter neck topped off with heeled boots designed by Haider Ackerman. The history of men’s fashion on the red carpet is more vibrant now than ever.

Fashion is developing into a movement of free expression. As one of the most famous celebrities of our generation, Styles can change the entire course of the fashion industry. So much of the eccentric, neon, bright patterned style taking the world by storm can be highly accredited to Harry Styles’s influence. Fans idolize Harry Styles for his carefree spirit regarding fashion despite

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PHOTOGRAPHERS: Tenley Bogle & Tatum Johnston (Guest)

what others have to say about it. He hasn’t let the hate change what he’s doing but rather let it spur him on to dress bigger. This style has been seen at his concerts for the Love on Tour show.

His concerts have become a red carpet event of their own. His fans spend months and months sewing outfits, bedazzling jackets and shopping for the wildest one-of-a-kind pieces just to attend the show in correct ‘Harry’ style. Not only is he redefining what men’s fashion is but also encouraging people of all gender identities to embrace themselves and express that through their clothing.

Many criticize how Styles dresses, but that never stops him from wearing exactly what he wants. There’s a lot to be said about what makes a man a man these days. But what truly defines being manly? Why can’t we accept that there is more than one type of personality? More than one way to express yourself? Harry Styles seems to say, I don’t care, I’m a man, and I’m going to wear whatever I want. He went from pushing the limits to throwing them out the window. Being such a public figure, wearing what he does, and acting as he does is changing the definition of a masculine man. He challenges the idea of a man that society has accepted for years.

Harry Styles has given a voice to men who can now feel more confident expressing themselves through their outward appearance. The evolution of gender stereotypes in fashion is happening right before our eyes. Wear what you want to. Paint your nails pink. Wear a smiley face ring. Mix and match patterns. Wear a dress. Regardless of gender, you are who you are, and you should feel comfortable in your own skin. You deserve the freedom to wear what you want to wear.

Romanticization

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I struggle to define privilege. I live in a nice house. I don’t usually want many things. My room is neatly decorated, and my family of five has an adorable cattle dog named Durango. But my whole life hasn’t been this way. Neither of my parents had a plan when they got married. They didn’t settle into a perfect corporate job right after college; as a matter of fact, my father didn’t even go to college. They started their life poor. Not to fish for pity for them, but they weren’t born into what the world may define as privilege or wealth. They both worked incredibly hard from the bottom. They had nearly nothing but worked to create a very comfortable life.

You may call this privilege. And you might be right. The world indeed does paint this sort of life as privileged. It’s comfortable. It’s unbothered. But what makes it that way? You may believe that the greater power you believe in randomized who would get to live such a simple life. A life with a 9-5 father who loves his family, a stay-at-home mother who participates in all the school activities; a family unit. Or maybe you believe it’s race that allows this. Or sexual orientation. Or education. But there’s a take that lives lost in the past century.

A simple life is the collection of generations before who have worked hard to provide such a thing. It’s the sum of honorable decisions, long, hard worked days, and choosing family and marriage. These things sound blissful, but I assure you they are hardly the easier choice than their opposites. You can call my opinion outdated, but there is romance in this way of life. Romance in people having so much hope for your future that they would continually make choices to provide for you. Often I’ve found myself with shame for having never suffered. Soon enough, in my young life, I reached college applications and paused when it asked me to describe a hardship I endured, and I struggled to write 200 words. This is not accidental. My parents, grandparents, great-grandparents and those before them chose that moment for me before I existed. They made sacrifices, strug-

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gled with work, opted for less income to have a mother at home, budgeted, prayed and chose the narrow way for me to struggle to write about a hardship.

Don’t mistake my words. There are exceptions to the rule. Bad things happen to people. Accidents and things out of human control may prevent this for some of us, and I don’t want to discredit that. But I mean to talk directly to those with a similar experience as me. There is so much to be said for a simple life.

I find myself in a state of gratitude as I reflect on the 22 years of my life. As I venture into my adult life, I consider my own children. I contemplate the sort of spouse I’ll partner with to create a simple life. I chose a job that will allow me to provide for my soon-to-be family, save for a home to protect them, and educate myself to raise them to do the same. This opened my eyes to just how early my parents began to do this for me. They didn’t know who I’d be in their early twenties, but they had started to prepare for me. And so did their parents. And their parents’ parents. It is a legacy of bliss created through choices.

Indeed there are alternate choices in life. I am in a place to decide the rest of my future. I have begun to see the romance in continuing a suburban legacy. I see the romance in preparing a way for my children to succeed and feel loved. I see romance in enjoying small moments with a spouse and working to do the world well. It may look like privilege, but that is only its disguise. A simple suburban life is lovely, and I hope to see the day my children struggle to write about their hardships too.

Love thrift shopping? Well, have you ever thought of looking a little closer to home? The best vintage clothes may be just under your nose. Your mother’s old cheer sweater is lying around somewhere along with some of your dad’s flannels. Maybe in their closet or maybe deep in storage. Your dad’s flannels that he doesn’t wear anymore, or perhaps he does, are ripe for the taking and at no cost. There is always treasure in places you least expect to find it. Look for something your mom hasn’t worn in years and make it yours because it’s probably back in style.

Last year I went into my parent’s closet and looked for things they didn’t wear or wouldn’t miss. I took my dad’s old clothes that my mom would rather just throw away. I picked up a red flannel from my dad that he had worn for years that my mother was more than happy to get rid of and a different flannel from my mom. My mother’s flannel is much more colorful and was a great vintage brand that had been passed down through many family members before it reached my closet. I also snagged two college sweatshirts from my dad, one from UCLA and another from Notre Dame, that make great fall outfits and are sentimental. The sweatshirts have cracked screen print paint, making them perfectly old and vintage and perfect for today’s styles. Lastly, I snuck out a high school soccer sweatshirt with old school records on it and a Pom sweater from my mom with her name embroidered. Now you may think to yourself, my mom doesn’t have any cool clothes, or I’m not the same size as my parents, but let me assure you, I am not the same size as either of my parents, nor did I think their clothes would be suitable for my lifestyle. However, oversized clothes are in, and I am taking full advantage. Now, if you think your parents’ closets have nothing to offer you, let me tell you, you haven’t looked. There are years of un-donated clothes dying to be taken out for a spin and given a new lease on life.

Sweatshirts and flannels are great basics and an easy place to start when looking for secondhand clothing because they do not have to fit perfectly or look brand new. A great second place to look would be in jeans or fun old tops. Jeans are an excellent second-hand item because they last forever and can be cinched up, painted, or reworked completely (think Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants vibe). Jeans are always in style and are perfect for all occasions as they can be dressed up or down, made into shorts, or lined for different seasons. Old tops are a great way to add style or personality to a basic outfit and, along with jeans, don’t have to fit perfectly to be cute. They can be cropped or put over a tank or turtleneck for different seasons or events. You can later them to make an entirely new piece for your wardrobe that is great for any season.

As they say, one man’s trash is another man’s treasure. And let me tell you, your mother has a closet full of well-lived-in clothing that is dying to be your new treasure.

Photographer: Madelyn Lindsey Stlylist & Model: Anabelle Lindsey