Harry Styles Wears a Dress; Breaks Gender Norms

By Chloe Elder ‘24

This winter former One Direction star Harry Styles announced that he would be gracing the cover of “Vogue” magazine in a dress from Gucci’s “Fall ‘20 Runway” collection.  Naturally this stirred up a heated debate on whether or not his attire was appropriate.
Styles has continuously expressed his traditionally feminine side during his career by painting his nails, wearing stereotypically feminine jewelry and even rocking a dress, catching the attention of many people who believe that “real men” should not dress this way. 
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Candace Owens, an American conservative author and political activist, said, “Bring back manly men,” in response to the cover, insinuating that men should not wear traditionally feminine clothing if they want to be considered manly. She went on to say that men should not paint their nails nor wear makeup.
Many celebrities, including Styles’ former bandmate Liam Payne, defended Styles. 
“I think he’s enjoying himself and he’s free to do as he wishes,” Payne said on “Entertainment Tonight.” “And, you know, I just think that people don’t need to be so bothered about stuff.”
Actor Elijah Wood also stood up for Styles on Twitter and said, “I think you’ve missed the definition of what a man is. Masculinity alone does not make a man.” 
On Dec. 2, Styles publicly responded to the widespread discussion.  He posted a picture on Instagram, posing in a blue suit with light blue ruffles, and captioned the picture: “Bring back manly men.” 
Styles auditioned for the “X Factor” in 2010, where he was put in a band with four other boys who, in the next five years, produced five albums and went on four tours. Since the band went on a hiatus in early 2016, Styles has released two successful albums, some of his most famous songs being “Sign of the Times” and “Watermelon Sugar”. 
Though he is known for his singing, Styles acts too. He played Alex in the 2017 film “Dunkirk,” set during World War II, and is currently filming his second movie, a thriller-drama hybrid called “Don’t Worry Darling.”
“I think it’s cool how he does whatever he wants and doesn’t care about what other people think. I respect that about him,” freshman Yehonatan Ashkenazi said. 
“I think what he was trying to communicate by wearing feminine clothing is extremely influential in abolishing gender norms and young men seeing his posts can be inspired to dress how they want, and not how society wants them to,” freshman Mimi Lebeau said.
Although Styles’ imprint is unique, he follows in the footsteps of some of his rockstar idols like David Bowie, Prince and Freddie Mercury who are known for their non-gender-conforming styles.
“As a kid it was completely mind-blowing. Now I’ll put on something that feels really flamboyant, and I don’t feel crazy wearing it,” Styles said in his interview with “Vogue.” “I think if you get something that you feel amazing in, it’s like a superhero outfit.”
Styles was the first solo male on the cover of “Vogue” magazine, and according to the reaction of the public, he made history.
“I think it is really powerful that people are understanding that clothes don’t have a gender. Especially people with a big platform that can influence others,” freshman Aliza Bieber said. “I think he got his message across in a great way.”