Harry Styles is single-handedly breaking gender norms, one outfit at a time! To celebrate his birthday, we’re bringing you 5 times he ended toxic masculinity!
Today, Harry Styles turns 27-years-old!
In the years since we first met him as a baby-faced teen on The X Factor, Harry has proven that he can successfully make it as a solo artist, and do it in style. The pop-star’s nonconforming, flamboyant wardrobe has made him a fashion icon in his own right. Often wearing dresses, jewelry, and nail polish, Harry is praised for challenging gender stereotypes.
In honor of his birthday, here are 5 times the singer defied toxic masculinity.
His Infamous Vogue Cover
Last November, Harry became the first man to ever grace the cover of U.S. Vogue, and did it wearing a lace, baby-blue Gucci dress.
In an interview with the magazine, Styles shared, “I find myself looking at women’s clothes, thinking they’re amazing.” Many applauded the singer and saw the cover as a step in the right direction.
However, others argue it is not appropriate for men to wear such attire. Of his critics is political commentator Candace Owens, who called the cover an “outright attack” on society and famously tweeted “Bring back manly men.”
His fans and many celebrities, including Olivia Wilde, Sara Bareilles, Zach Braff, and Bobby Berk, came to Harry’s defense and showed their support for the gorgeous images.
Harry, on the other hand, simply brushed off the haters, but not before poking some fun at Owens. The singer took to Instagram and posted an image with the caption “Bring back manly men.”
What a clapback.
His SNL Photoshoot
In November 2019, the star rocked an embroidered pink tutu and tights for his Saturday Night Live promotional photoshoot.
Fans went wild, praising the star for once again proving that gender is just a societal construct.
His Beauty Papers Cover
In Beauty Papers’ 8th issue, Harry proved that he can truly pull off any look as he posed shirtless in black fishnet tights. In another image, he is seen wearing eyeshadow while someone applies lip-liner on the star.
Staying true to the issue’s title, REVOLUTION, Harry is redefining men’s fashion.
“Falling” Music Video
In 2019, the singer released a music video for his song “Falling” and of course, made a major style statement. In the video, he plays the piano, underwater, in a magnificent Lilac Gucci chiffon gown.
The Guardian Photoshoot
In December 2019, Harry wore a long black dress with white ruffled sleeves on the cover of The Guardian. During the interview, Harry shared, “in terms of how I wanna dress, and what the album sleeve’s gonna be, I tend to make decisions in terms of collaborators I want to work with. I want things to look a certain way. Not because it makes me look gay, or it makes me look straight, or it makes me look bisexual, but because I think it looks cool. And more than that, I dunno, I just think sexuality’s something that’s fun. Honestly? I can’t say I’ve given it any more thought than that.”
Harry is truly changing the fashion landscape, and along the way, encouraging others to question their own ideas of gender norms. We want to thank the star for inspiring us to be our authentic selves and we wish him a very happy birthday.
