7 Style Lessons One Direction Has Taught Me

There are many reasons why I love One Direction (British accents, anyone?), but one of the major causes of my adoration for Niall, Harry, Louis, and Liam has to do with what they wear. Although I love their music and personalities, One Direction has influenced my personal style in more than a few ways. I know what you're gonna say, and you can brush me off and easily click on another "non-silly," boy band related article if you please. Conversely, you could hear me out.

Everyone gets their style inspiration from somewhere, whether it's tropical destinations, a few specific fashion blogs, or even just from checking Instagram. As for me, One Direction never fails to quench my sartorial thirst. No matter how lost and confused I am when it comes to figuring out what to wear, I love picking apart what those four dudes rock in their day to day lives. From them I've learned to step out of my comfort zone, stick to the basics, and opt for what's comfortable above all else.

One Direction might sometimes seem (to non-devotees) to be yet another cheesy boy band. Sure, they're impeccably dressed and ravishingly handsome. They're also style inspirations, though, and they've influenced my own personal expression in countless different ways.

In an effort to share my thoughts and open your eyes to the world of One Direction's sartorial prowess, here are nine style lessons One Direction has taught me.

1. You Can't Go Wrong With All Black

I cannot tell you how many times I have looked in my closet and felt utterly uninspired. That's when I look to my favorite young men for advice. While it is pretty uncharacteristic of me to wear all black, and despite that it is daunting to wear all black in the summer, the boys' encouragement always has me reaching for my darker clothes. After all, black is the new black. Right?

2. Personalization Is Cool

As cheesy and as nerdy as it is, I love a good personalized clothing item (and no, I'm not just talking about my beloved Eddie Bauer backpack from middle school). I'm talking about personalization that not only highlights your interests but your sense of self as you proudly showcase your name or the special message embroidered in. So my dear Niall, good work with the personalized baseball jersey. Excuse me while I lust over it.

3. Change Your Beauty Look Often

I realize that Zayn Malik is no longer an "official" member of One Direction. In my heart, he's still a part of the group, and I think most 1D fans would agree. Nevertheless, the changes he has made to his hair recently have really shown me that it's OK to want to change your appearance once in a while. I may not shave my head, bleach my hair, or dye it green like Malik, but I might try out a different lip color or set of highlights for a little change that'll add some experimentation into my style.

4. It's OK To Match Your Friends

Have you ever planned a night out with friends, and orchestrated a perfect outfit for the event? Then, upon arrival and meeting your friends, realized you all wore if not the same outfit, something super similar? I'm sure this inevitably happens to the dudes of 1D, and they've taught me that it's nothing to be embarrassed or ashamed about.

While some of us might initially have hesitations about perfectly matching someone we know or even a stranger (remember worrying about wearing the same dress as another person to prom?), a case of accidental twinsies always ends up being something to laugh about.

5. Style Mistakes Happen

No one is perfect — and yes, that includes the young gents of 1D. As you can probably tell from the photo above, the band has certainly come a long way when it comes to their style. Their jeans have gotten tighter and their color choices a little darker, but that certainly isn't a bad thing. We all have horrible photos from our past that we hope never resurface, even though mom is inevitably going to flaunt them come holiday season. That being said, it's always nice to take a look back at the past and see how far along you have come.

6. Accessories Always Add A Little Oomph

When it comes to clothes, I like to stick to basics. Just like the musicians, I typically reach for darker colors and fitted silhouettes. That's where the details come in. Just like Liam, I value a good accessory. Although I may not be rocking a hat like he is, I do love a good neckerchief, a bold pair of shoes, or even a pretty choker. Sometimes changing up your whole wardrobe is a little overwhelming, but subtly making adjustments to your style or trying out trends through accessories is a great way to go.

7. Comfort Over Everything

Ultimately, it's clear to me that Niall, Harry, Louis, and Liam sacrifice nothing for comfort. Think about it: They're on stage for hours almost every single night while on tour, running around and trying to entertain thousands of young, screaming women. You would want to be dressed comfortably for that, too. While they're certainly stylish and creative individuals, it's nice to feel that they're not as preoccupied about what they're going to wear as they are about showing every attendee at their shows a good time. Obviously, comfort takes precedence, allowing them to focus on what's really important: Making every 1D fan's day.

Without a doubt, One Direction's rad sartorial influence is just one of the things that makes these boys beautiful.

Images: Getty Images