David Bowie. Elton John. Prince. When it comes to matters of dressing, we'd peg Harry Styles as the type of guy who looks to the showmen—the dandies, the rebel-style forefathers—of the rock and pop world for inspiration.
We're very wrong.
Styles doesn't take his cues from a rock star. He doesn't even take his cues from a man. When the 23-year-old crooner wants to get his creative juices flowing, he looks to none other than Shania Twain. Turns out those other guys don't impress him much.
"I think both my music and fashion main influence was early Shania Twain," Styles told Entertainment Tonight. "I think she's amazing."
And while that may sound crazy, a look at the musician's brocaded, embellished, and generally over-the-top tailoring does suggest he takes his cues from Twain's more out-there looks. And for anyone who balks at the idea of a guy looking to a woman for fashion advice, don't be stupid and get with the times. In fact, some could say Twain was an early adopter of today's gender-fluid, anything-goes moment. (Less trailblazing: wearing velvet in the desert.)
From crazy to classic, Harry Styles has proven time and again that he can make everything from all-black to your grandma's wallpaper florals somehow look good. And it's always refreshing to know that someone we respect is thinking outside the box in terms of influence. And as for Shania? She's still the one in our eyes.
