I Want to (Pearl) Dress Like Harry Styles

When it comes to dressing, Harry Styles has the award category swept, in his sexy, gender-fluid clothes. He plays with all sorts of signifiers, eras, effects— and pulls it off... in pearls!

The point is not so much a man in pearls (he joins John Legend and Jason Momoa, other exemplars), but the confidence with which he makes them his own. Harry is especially attached to his round whites, but also wears a pearl and turquoise necklace with a fine gold chain and charm. And dig the robin's egg jacket— Harry Styles was created to rock resort wear.

Let's parse Harry's pearl vibe.

1. Swinging on stripes

Are pearls staid? Harry drops his on tees, fresh and sassy: 

Following his lead:

The pearls: Twenty-seven inch, 10mm-11mm high-lustre Chinese freshwater pearl necklace (near-round and short drops) from Pacific Pearls USA; price, $US 320. Someone should buy this right now! 

The stripes: crochet striped sweater from Marni (Netaporter) or look for a less pricey version, but check that one lilac stripe, that's why Marni commands the cash.   

2. Pattern plus pearls  

See what he's doing? Playing those pearls against type in the "Watermelon Sugar" video:

Staid? Not on an exploded print. My version could be a bold, shirred viscose top in "Duskblossom", at Madewell. Price, $CDN 88; duties included.

3. Mixed pearls on a tailored jacket

Harry's luscious blue jacket was perfect for Amalfi (you can see him in it in the "Golden" video), but it's winter here, so I'm headed to velvet. The J. Crew blazer summons the same sharp insouciance, in an unusual colour called "clay sand". 

The whites would work with it, but my Styles sense suggests pairing it with Kojima's rosebud pearl and antique nephrite necklace, which has mystery, charm and that fantastic carved jade focal piece; price, $US 405.

3. Cords and a sweatshirt: How Harry hits it

I have never worn pearls with a sweatshirt. "Why not, Duchesse?, Harry asks. Maybe because I own but one? The time has come.

These are freshwater baroques bought fourteen years ago from Kojima Company and still glowing strong. Similar here, from Judi McCormick; price $US 950.

4. Flashy cardie, graphic tee 

Harry wears a JW Anderson jumper, but it sold out in seconds, so Desigual it is–a jacket designed by Christian Lacroix.

Worn with a glammy-classic strand (detail shown) of graduated pearls, 4mm-9mm white Chinese freshwaters from Pacific Pearls USA; price, $US 250. This is a 16-inch strand, so at least 17 in. when strung, which Pacific Pearls will do with grace.

And shoes!

 Round whites are hardly sedate worn with Sevilla "Tiger" boots:

Photo: Maguireshoes.com

 

I've grown a bit timid over this Pandemic Pause. Harry Styles, besides being fun to be around, shows me not to take pearls, even of the most regal variety, too seriously. 

How to make round white pearls look less "lady": wear with Styles' insouciance, give 'em a shot of surprise.