If the legality of the “pap walk,” a staging in which a celebrity tips off photographers to capture their image in an attractive light, has taught us anything, it’s that street style is a more lucrative business than anyone ever thought. From Hailey Bieber blatantly launching her husband’s brand of wired headphones while enjoying a meal at Sushi Park to Kylie Jenner subtly promoting Timothée Chalamet’s performance Marty Supreme Wearing the film’s iconic merchandise, these off-duty outfits prove anything but.
In recent years, couple dressing, an extreme version of this fad, has evolved into a highly strategic public relations mechanic that takes advantage of the influence and power of both parties. But what happens when praising someone’s personal style crosses the line from respect to imitation? “When we get close to someone, there can be a natural process of convergence in our habits, language, interests and preferences,” explains Professor Caroline Mair, PhD, a fashion historian and author psychology of fashion. “Clothes are a clear expression. Although we retain our individual identities, we can also develop a sense of ‘we’, so wearing similar clothes can become a way of communicating a shared identity.”
In the mid-2000s, daily Express A now infamous article was published that called Brad Pitt “the guy who likes to look like his girlfriend.” “He loves looking like the new love of his life,” the journalist wrote, citing the time he and Jennifer Aniston arrived at the 1999 Emmy Awards with matching tousled waves or the time he and Angelina Jolie looked like Neo and Trinity at an event in Switzerland in 2006. math question. When the piece resurfaced in 2018, it immediately became meme fodder for the internet age. It quickly went viral before Gwyneth Paltrow insisted on the sermon: “Or we like to look like her, let’s face it.”
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Now, in the age of hyper-manicured and hyper-sanitized stardom, there is more to achieving cultural recognition than being seen shaking hands with some infamous figure. Running errands in designer clothes can be included in coveted ambassadorial roles, so why can’t the wardrobe of the person you date be the same way? Harry Styles is the man who epitomizes this. Throughout her career, the Grammy Award winner’s dating history has been closely scrutinized. However, her fashion pedigree has only grown stronger since her solo endeavors. And who is to blame? French-American model and actress, Camille Rowe.
Of course, this might understate the role of his longtime stylist, Harry Lambert, in reviving his image, taking him from his frat-boy era when he was dripping in Hedi Slimane. From Saint Laurent to David Bowie-esque suits and Alessandro-Michele-for-Gucci flamboyant tailoring. Yet, this is something Styles himself acknowledged on his sultry sophomore album, fine line. Humming the folk-pop single “Cherry”, in which an old voicemail from Rowe appears in the outro, Styles laments: “I notice there’s a bit of you in the way I dress. Take it as a compliment.”
Styles isn’t someone who needs to elevate his stature; She is one of the most commercially successful global pop stars of her generation, with record-breaking residencies at prestigious venues and huge numbers of fans. Still, at a moment when he’s being criticized for his slow repetition of dance music and lackluster attempts to capture the hedonism of Berlin’s nightclubs, hanging out with one of the world’s best dressers certainly helps his reputation. Indeed, his engagement to actress Zoë Kravitz, the poster girl for effortlessly chic street style, has helped give him new fashion credibility, their effortless synchronicity a sign of new fashion savvy.
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Jessica McCormack Equipped with a collection of jewelry and woven leather bags that would rival Jane Birkin’s, Kravitz’s sophisticated sensibility has helped channel Styles’ penchant for gaudy patterns and threadbare tote bags. He may have known about Jacques Marie Madge before they started dating, but now seeing her wear these brands as his boyfriend, this choice feels more real.
Jacob Elordi is one man who has also adopted the beneficial nature of complimenting your girlfriend’s outfit. Although she and Kendall Jenner have been moving in the same sartorial circles for years, both fronting campaigns for Bottega Veneta and regularly shopping at The Row, their pairing has made them a commanding force in each other’s respective spheres. When Jenner hit the red carpet at the Venice Film Festival in September, she looked natural, not like an interloper encroaching on one of Hollywood’s most prestigious events. When Elordi sat front row during Milan Fashion Week, he looked more like an addict than a random plus-one.
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“The similarities may become more noticeable as celebrity couples are photographed and discussed extensively,” adds mier. “When couples naturally or intentionally coordinate their clothing, it may be a form of reflecting behavior that signals connection and identification with one another.” These pairs essentially have wires connected to them. We are waiting to see how these stars keep up with each public appearance. We quickly analyze each piece for signs of something deeper. We add our favorite clothes to our baskets with the hope that we will wear them ourselves. After all, we can’t tell if we want to be like them, hang out with them, or just dress like them.
Shop pieces inspired by Harry Styles and Jacob Elordi’s wardrobes
eggolde
90s Pinch Waist Straight-Leg Jeans
totem
waxed-cotton jacket
bottega veneta
barbara tote
jimmy fairley
aila sunglasses
with nothing below
boyfriend shirt
rise fall
Woolen V-Neck Jumper
Polo Ralph Lauren
Cotton-Twill Baseball Cap