Harry Styles Lessons: Friendship, Fashion & Why Life Is Too Short
Throughout my life, I’ve learned firsthand the profound importance and impact of music. My journey as a One Direction fan began back in 2013. Their songs were the constant soundtrack to car rides for soccer practice or playdates. By middle school, I had earned the label of the “crazed Harry Styles fan,” often facing ridicule for my musical tastes. This led me to conceal this part of myself when I started high school, hoping to blend in. During icebreakers, if asked about my favorite artist or song, I’d pick something generic I’d heard on the radio, aiming for “normal.” Yet, as high school progressed, I grew more comfortable expressing my true self through my music preferences. This shift was possible thanks to finding friends who shared my taste, delving deeper into song lyrics, and becoming more invested in the artists themselves and their values.
The Power of Music: Forging Friendships Through Fandom
I’ve made countless friends bonded by a shared love for music. There’s an undeniable chemistry music creates; it connects people and fosters a powerful sense of belonging. It might sound unusual, but some of my strongest friendships were forged in concert queues and through social media. Music is central to my life, and discovering others who feel the same way can lead to lifelong connections. Sharing this passion makes the experience of being a fan far more enriching. Over the past few years, I’ve been incredibly fortunate to attend over 50 concerts, and nearly every show brings new friendships or opportunities to reconnect with old ones.
A perfect example happened at Harry Styles’ concert in Tacoma in November 2021. While queuing, I met a girl named Eloise. We discovered she attended another high school in Seattle and we even had mutual friends, though we’d never met. We talked for hours, realizing our music tastes were almost identical. We quickly became close friends and regular concert buddies. Since that day in 2021, we’ve attended nearly ten concerts together, seeing artists like Phoebe Bridgers, The 1975, Louis Tomlinson, Sunroom, and even traveling to Los Angeles to see Harry Styles again.
Another significant set of friendships born from my love for Harry Styles involves Stella Cox and Megan Rainforth. Stella and I met through mutual friends here at Blanchet, quickly bonding over Harry Styles. In May 2022, we traveled together to Long Island, New York, for Harry’s One Night Only concert. While waiting for a photo opportunity, we asked the girl behind us, Megan, to take our picture. Little did I know she would become one of my best friends. Megan hung out with us until we had to find our seats. We started a group chat after the show, constantly sharing updates about our favorite artists, our lives, and having weekly FaceTime calls. Later that year, Stella and I returned to New York City for the first three nights of Harry Styles’ 15-show residency at Madison Square Garden. We met new people, saw familiar faces, and reunited with Megan. On our last night, we stayed at Megan’s house in New Jersey, spending the whole night watching movies and talking. Although it’s been nearly ten months since we last saw her in person, Megan is planning a visit to Seattle in late June. Clearly, Harry Styles is more than just a favorite artist; he’s been a catalyst for connection.
Style as Self-Expression: Harry Styles’ Fashion Influence
In 2022, Rolling Stone Magazine ranked musical artists by their fashion sense, and unsurprisingly, Harry Styles placed fifth. In recent years, his wardrobe choices, both on and off stage, have captivated fans. His extravagant and flamboyant style has inspired concertgoers to express themselves boldly through their own outfits. In a 2020 Vogue interview, Harry stated, “clothes are there to have fun with and experiment with and play with.” Guided by stylists like Alessandro Michele (Gucci’s former creative director) and Harry Lambert, his fashion is often described as unique and flamboyant, blending vintage aesthetics with modern sensibilities.
This bold approach has transformed his concerts into fan-driven fashion spectacles, akin to the Met Gala. Fans often dedicate months to planning and creating the perfect ensemble. For me, Harry’s confidence has taught me to embrace my own style and experiment fearlessly. For his final Los Angeles show at The Forum (the 15th night), I decided to recreate his iconic Coachella weekend 2 outfit. Over a month, I poured countless hours into painting, drawing, and bedazzling the pieces to replicate his look as closely as possible. The process was incredibly fun, and wearing the finished outfit was a joy. I deeply admire how Harry encourages his fans to dress up and showcase their individuality through style.
Finding Meaning in the Music: Decoding Harry Styles’ Lyrics
Harry Styles’ music has had a significant impact on my life, largely through its emotional depth. He seems to have a song for nearly every mood or situation. Need a track that feels like driving down the California coast? Try “Golden”. Dealing with heartbreak? Listen to “Cherry”. Feeling disconnected from yourself? Put on “Falling”. Want an instant mood boost? “Daydreaming” is the answer. One of my favorite aspects of Harry’s music—and music in general—is deciphering the underlying meanings. Artists rarely spell out the exact intention behind their songs, leaving room for fans to interpret them in ways that resonate personally.
One song that holds particular significance for me is “Ever Since New York” from his debut solo album. Since Harry has never explicitly stated its meaning, I’ve found myself listening to it and connecting it to my own experiences. The song opens with, “Tell me something, tell me something, You don’t know nothing, just pretend you do.” I interpret this as receiving difficult news repeatedly and wishing someone could offer reassurance, even if it’s not entirely true. He continues, “Brooklyn saw me, empty at the news, There’s no water inside this swimming pool.” For me, this evokes receiving bad news in Brooklyn, leading to a feeling of helplessness and emotional numbness. The empty pool symbolizes having cried all possible tears, leaving none left. Another line that stands out is, “Choose your words ‘cause there’s no antidote for this curse.” This resonates in multiple ways: perhaps asking a dying loved one for final words of wisdom, or the struggle to carefully articulate a painful truth.
The song closes with the repeated line, “Oh, tell me something I don’t already know.” I see this as the exhaustion of hearing the same devastating news over and over, wanting to shut it out despite its reality. While unconfirmed by Harry, speculation suggests “Ever Since New York” might be about learning of his stepfather’s terminal cancer diagnosis and the period leading up to his passing. Personally, the song strongly reminds me of the day I learned about my own grandfather’s cancer diagnosis. Harry’s songs are incredibly meaningful, often using powerful metaphors to convey complex emotions and experiences that are hard to express directly. His music has been a companion through difficult times, offering words when I couldn’t find my own.
Life Lessons Learned: Embracing Vulnerability and Kindness
I’ve often been labeled the “fangirl” in my family, friend group, and school, which frequently invites criticism. Comments like “You’re obsessed,” “He doesn’t even know you exist,” or “You’re wasting your time and money” are common. However, through this journey, my favorite artist, Harry Styles, has taught me valuable lessons about myself and life itself.
Lesson One: Live in the moment and be spontaneous. This is where the idea that Harry Styles Life Is Too Short truly resonates. His concerts have become opportunities to travel the world with my best friends. Witnessing him perform live is an unforgettable, electric experience unlike any other. Hearing songs that have personally impacted me, live in that atmosphere, is something I’ll cherish forever. People often ask why I camp out for his shows. The answer lies in the pursuit of General Admission (GA) floor tickets – the closest you can get. Camping increases the chance of getting barricade, that front-row spot. When I’m there, it feels incredibly intimate, like it’s just me and him, separated by only a few feet from someone who has genuinely changed my perspective on life. This past August, flying to NYC with Stella for the first three nights of Harry’s MSG residency exemplified this. We initially planned for two shows but spontaneously bought tickets for the third. That night turned out to be one of my favorites ever. We secured barricade spots right at the corner of the stage where he performs my favorite song, “Matilda.”
Fan photo capturing a special moment at Harry Styles' Madison Square Garden concert, highlighting the spontaneity and connection discussed.
That show felt incredibly special: he sang a life-changing song mere feet away, he smiled directly at Stella and me after “Matilda,” and he even caught and wore the boa I threw on stage. Without embracing spontaneity and living in the moment, prompted by the understanding that life is too short for regrets, I wouldn’t have created half the memories or friendships I cherish today.
Lesson Two: Dress how you want. Harry’s renowned unique and colorful wardrobe isn’t just for show; it’s a statement. At concerts, his sparkly, bold outfits are a form of self-expression. This has directly inspired me to embrace my own clothing choices as a way to express myself authentically. I admire how he actively encourages his fans to be themselves and use fashion as a tool for that expression.
Lesson Three: Don’t be afraid to be vulnerable. Through his candid lyrics and music, Harry opens up about his own life challenges. Many songs employ powerful metaphors to explore deep emotions and experiences. His music often touches on difficulties I’ve faced, helping me process and understand them better. His willingness to be open encourages vulnerability in others.
Lesson Four: Treat People With Kindness. This isn’t just a song title from his Fine Line album; it’s a principle Harry actively promotes. He has consistently advocated for social justice issues, including LGBTQ+ rights, Black Lives Matter, and gender equality. He has participated in BLM marches, proudly waves pride flags during his shows, and once donated his signature long hair to cancer charities. In an industry where many artists shy away from taking strong stances, Harry’s openness in advocating for kindness and important social causes is another reason I deeply admire him.
