Style is in his name and let’s face it, Harry Styles can carry off any look.
He also has a brilliant sense of humour and doesn’t take himself too seriously, which is why we wanted to share this latest humorous clip from Saturday Night Live.
The skit features Harry and some of his iconic looks on Saturday Night Live cast members. Together their deadpan delivery provides the best of belly laughs (much needed in these times).
Harry quips that’s he partnered with Target with a Harry for Him range of some of his most extraordinary looks at a price people can afford. And Target has playfully responded saying; “adding “harry for him” to our dream collab vision board”.”
I can personally relate when Harry says he’s had countless woman approach him and say, “My husband’s look is so boring, I wish he’d dress more like you”. I’m not knocking my man’s style though I would love to see him wear a more risqué shirt from time to time or have a bit more fun with fashion.
Like many of you, I’ve been binge-watching Bridgerton and the Bridgerton men do cut a good figure in their Regency-inspired garb. Masculine dandy-ism that emphasises immaculate tailoring, attention to detail, and a refined, sometimes rebellious, personal style.
Recently I’ve been making suggestions that perhaps he could add a brooch to the lapel of his velvet jacket – a now popular look, especially at the 2026 Oscars.
For the recent SparkNZ and Netflix’s Bridgerton Masquerade Ball in Auckland I tried to get him to wear a Regencycore-inspired shirt under said jacket with a blue and gold scarf fastened with a diamante brooch and fashioned as a cravat.
It was a hard “no” to attending the ball with me, or wearing said suggested outfit. Though he did wear this (see below) at the recent Splore Festival and I LOVED him in it. He totally carried it off and of course there was the festival context. It’s not exactly boardroom attire.
Splore Festival style. Designer Ceciel DelaRue.
I’ve been so inspired – on behalf of men – that I even pitched a story that discusses all of the above to RNZ but they weren’t keen. Perhaps understandably sceptical that Kiwi males would deign to go there.
It helps to have a special event to attend, such as an awards ceremony, and being a public figure of course provides license to dress more outside of the norm on such occasions.
Broadcaster and Viva dining out editor Jesse Mulligan certainly pulled off a Harry-esque look – wearing a black sheer Trelise Cooper ‘On a Sheer’ blouse with a pussy bow styled by Sarah Stuart – for his role as presenter the 2025 Aotearoa Music Awards. The statement bow even lends the outfit a Regency feel, reminiscent of a modern-day cravat.
It was described by Stuart as “a refined mix of masculine tailoring and soft femininity. A play on texture and black on black”.
“I’m better known for food than fashion, but the music awards is the one chance I get each year to push the boat out,” says Jesse.
Earlier this year The Business of Fashion observed how in Hollywood, “men have historically taken a backseat on the red carpet – relegating themselves to unremarkable black tuxedos, while the women wore gowns that were written into fashion history. One look at the red carpets so far this awards season, and it’s clear those days are long in the past”.
According to The Business of Fashion modern male celebrities are experimental on the red carpet thanks, in part, to expanding gender norms. And as the menswear market has grown, more brands want to design eye-catching finery for male stars they see as viable ambassadors who can drive sales like their female counterparts.
So how does this trickle down, and what can men take from this to express their inner dandy or style in a way that allows them to confidently shine?
“Broaches, pussy bows, fun-epaulettes – these are the accessories that achieve what we call ‘party at the top’,” says Mandatory menswear founder and designer Clare Bowden. “It’s a step on from the bold lapel shape, strong colour, and evening wear fabrics. Displacing gendered wear is fun, eccentric and personal, whilst lengthening the silhouette and drawing eyes up to meet your party eyes.”
Mandatory menswear founder / designer Clare Bowden. Photography Claire Fraser
Mandatory has dressed its fair share of men for the stage and award ceremonies including Imon Starr and Ra Mahal at the recent Grammys and offers a custom fit and made-to-measure service as well as off the rack selection.
Mandatory clients’ range in height from 4’10” to 6’11” of varying builds and body shapes and clients can also commission patterns. Mandatory founder Clare Bowden has many clients with pattern sets and hundreds with preferences and fit recipes noted for ongoing use.
Ezra Jennings-Pedro wearing Mandatory. Photography Claire Fraser
What does she think the average Kiwi male could take from Harry Styles style?
“Anyone that puts intention behind their styling for a party really adds to the room and guys can be just as much part of that,” says Bowden.
