Harry Styles Defends Wearing ‘Female Clothing’ After Controversy Over His Dress Pics: ‘Wear What You Like’

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Harry Styles is on top of the world. Between his music and budding acting career, the 26-year-old is making waves in a number of evolving industries — including fashion. The singer recently appeared on Vogue‘s December issue wearing a gorgeous Gucci dress, and to Harry that display was something to celebrate. “To not wear [something] because it’s females’ clothing, you shut out a whole world of great clothes,” Harry shared in a new profile with our sister publication, Variety.

“And I think what’s exciting about right now is you can wear what you like. It doesn’t have to be X or Y. Those lines are becoming more and more blurred.” Harry’s candid, thoughtful response to his Vogue cover comes after a number of fans praised him for his authenticity, amid criticism from conservative pundit Candace Owens. The political commentator wanted to “bring back manly men” after seeing the magazine cover in question. But Candace’s comments struck a chord with Harry’s fans, who lifted up the singer and called out conservative activist.

“It looks wonderful. The masculine and feminine elements are balanced beautifully – the hair and jacket styling give me James Dean vibes too,” U.S. Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez wrote in a response to a question about the photo on her November 21 Instagram Story.  “Some people are mad at it bc some folks are very sensitive to examining and exploring gender roles in society,” she continued. “Perhaps for some people it provokes some anger or insecurity around masculinity/femininity/etc. If it does, then maybe that’s part of the point. Sit with that reaction and think abut it, examine it, explore it, engage it, and grow with it.”

AOC wasn’t the only high-profile figure to get involved in the Vogue cover conversation. YouTuber Logan Paul even stepped in, defining manliness as being “comfortable in your own skin and being comfortable with who you are, regardless of what you’re wearing.” More fans chimed in too, including Harry’s Don’t Worry, Darling director Olivia Wilde, and countless admirers on social media.

When it comes to the accolades he’s received, whether it’s for his bold fashion choices or his music, Harry is really just expressing himself through his work and his art. “It’s always nice to know that people like what you’re doing, but ultimately — and especially working in a subjective field — I don’t put too much weight on that stuff,” Harry told Variety. “I think it’s important when making any kind of art to remove the ego from it.”