Nobody ever put a poster of a boyband star on their wall out of respect for their sartorial choices. Squeaky leather, ill-fitting tailoring, bicep-baring vests and endless crimes against denim have all been accounted for. But never mind, because our crushes have been blind to their dubious sense of style.
There is someone, however, who is disproving this narrative. Enter Mr Harry Edward Styles, the former One Directioner who has also claimed the mantle as one of fashion's favourite pin-ups. His all-frills style is so fabulous that even the most jaded fashionista might want a poster of him on their wall (especially if it features his look from this weekend; a purple sequinned jumpsuit by Arturo Obegero). From custom Gucci looks to headline Coachella (alongside Lizzo and Shania Twain) to championing new designers like S.S. Daley and Obegero - Styles knows exactly how to woo the fashion set.
The cover of his hotly anticipated new album, Harry's House, sees Styles in a custom Molly Goddard SS22 outfit - almost identical to the look worn by Edie Campbell on the runway - complete with baggy jeans and a frilly little blouse.
Styles' personal style is irreverent, sure, but it’s also sexy, confident, cool, lighthearted, fashion-literate and, above all, heart-burstingly joyful. Just look at the video of the singer's single As It Was, an emotional, heart-on-the-sleeve, treat for the eyes and ears. It appears red is the colour for Styles, as we see him change from a cherry wool coat to some fabulously garish, scarlet sequinned flares and, finally, into a pair of bright red boxer shorts.
Styles has established himself as a fabulous fashion rule-bender in recent years. Working with stylist Harry Lambert, Styles makes the rigid rules of gender-defined dressing look not just outmoded but utterly irrelevant. He has single-handedly redefined what the modern heartthrob looks like. He is fearless when it comes to fashion; school-girl shoes, lace jumpsuits and grandad knits are all part of the Styles repertoire (much of it is by Gucci, he is part of the Italian house's delightfully eccentric family of muses and collaborators). There is something instinctive and emotional about Styles’ clothes and how he wears them; it’s pure fashion fantasy.
Perhaps you’re wondering how this translates to real life. Maybe you’re thinking: ‘this is all well and good if you’re an internationally adored pop star, but I’m not sure my boss would be enthused if I turned up to work in a SEX T-shirt’ - FYI Styles once wore one by Christopher Kane when hosting Saturday Night Live. But take note, this cheerful spirit is all about attitude.
Clothes can be performative, meaningful escapism from topsy-turvy politics, and a chance to stick two fingers up to fear and hate through experimentation, creativity and glamour (what that looks like is down to you). Sounds like a no-brainer to us. We do have one question, however: Harry Styles, can we raid your wardrobe sometime?
SEE: Harry Styles' Best Looks
Wearing another custom Arturo Obegero sequin jumpsuit - this time in purple and black - for BBC Radio 1's Big Weekend in Coventry, no less.
When filming with James Corden for The Late Late Show, Styles wore a custom Gucci striped tee, flared jeans and a beaded necklace by Eliou.
And the pop star wore Gucci (duh) - this time paired with the highly anticipated Adidas x Gucci sneakers.
No thoughts just midriff...In a custom AMI Paris jacket and jeans for rehearsals ahead of his Today Show performance.
In further jumpsuit news, Harry wore a custom JW Anderson jumpsuit inspired by its resort 2022 collection.
A more casual look for Mr Styles in an S.S. Daley duck sweater (which is available to pre-order on its site) for the Spotify listening party ahead of the Harry's House album release.
The Watermelon Sugar singer turned to Gucci for this custom strawberry tee paired with bright green trousers. Yum.
No this isn't a fever dream. For Harry's second headliner weekend performing at Coachella, he of course opted for custom Gucci to perform with Lizzo.
To kick off his headliner gig at Coachella 2022, Harry Lambert worked with Gucci to produce a series of custom looks complete with fluffy coats and plenty of sequins.
In custom Arturo Obegero sequin jumpsuit for new single As It Was, styled by Harry Lambert.
Styles wears custom Molly Goddard, almost identical to the look worn by Edie Campbell in the SS22 collection, for the cover of his latest album Harry's House.
Harry performed onstage at his Harryween Fancy Dress Party at Madison Square Garden in New York City, dressed of course, as Dorothy (a Gucci creation, natch)
As he picked up the Mastercard British Single award for Watermelon Sugar at the BRITs 2021, Styles donned a psychedelic suit from Gucci.
Ahead of opening the show, Harry made a case for feather boas on the Grammy red carpet.
Honestly...there are no words.
His famous pearl necklace made an appearance on the star's visit to the SiriusXM studios, sending fans (and us) wild.
Further proof that we all need a sweater vest + baggy pants combo - make like Styles and go for polka dots.
The Watermelon Sugar singer selected sherbet shades for his Today Show performance in 2020, but it was his rehearsal outfit that went VIRAL...
2021 - the year that Harry really nailed his on-stage style.
A rare glimpse at HS backstage (aka, my new phone wallpaper).
Leaving the BBC Radio 2 studio in February 2020, Styles wore Gucci trousers and a jacket by Bode, a fashion insider favourite renowned for its folky, patchwork designs.
School girl shoes. Pearls. A brown suit. It shouldn't work, but in the world of Harry Styles, it blasts everything else on the red carpet out of the water.
Styles cemented his status as a fashion insider at the 2019 Met Gala, which he co-hosted with Lady Gaga, Serena Williams, Anna Wintour and Gucci's Alessandro Michele, who also dressed him on the night. He also cemented his status as the only man who could look this good in a sheer shirt and super-high waisted trousers.
You see a knit your grandma might have made you; Harry sees an opportunity in this Lanvin sweater vest.
Performing Falling at the BRIT Awards 2020 in custom Gucci, Harry wears a lace jumpsuit (and matching gloves!) with all the ease of jeans and a T-shirt. Unpredictability score: 10/10.
A silky cardigan and string of pearls might sound like they belong at the country club, but Harry gives them rock and roll swagger at a Spotify party to celebrate the launch of his album. The cardi is Lanvin, FYI.
Yes, it's more Gucci and no, we still can't get enough of it on him. Performing on The Late Late Show Styles showed some boybanders do know how to do tailoring.
'Stay Away From Toxic People' it says on Harry's Marc Jacobs x Magda Archer lime green sweater, which he wore on The Ellen Show. You don't have to tell us twice...
Another day, another knockout Bode jacket. Leaving the Live Lounge he also wore a Self-Love tee, a collaboration between Harry and Gucci. As if we could love him anymore, a portion of proceeds from the sale of the T-shirts was donated to the Global Fund for Women.
Rules? What rules? Styles wore a daffodil yellow suit from Marc Jacobs' SS20 womenswear collection for his first appearance as a solo artist at the 2020 BRITs. We bow down.
The JW Anderson crochet cardigan that sparked a worldwide crochet trend (mainly on TikTok) and had us all phoning up granny asking for a patchwork knit, stat.