26 style lessons from Zayn Malik
Zayn Malik has been welcomed by the fashion world since his exit from One Direction in 2015 - the watershed moment was his apperance at the menswear spring/summer 2016 shows, when he wore two excellently put together looks.
But, the musician showed fashion promise even in his 1D days. Bear with us, he knew bomber jackets would be a big deal long before everyone else; he rocked a polo neck while the rest of us were still sniffy of them, and he's always been a pioneer of that off-duty model look. And he worked a neckerchief before all the fashion bloggers followed suit last year.
Don't get us wrong, there have been some mistakes ( the zig-zag comb hairband was one), but on the whole we're delighted to have Zayn Malik a part of our fashion gang - partly because it gives us a chance to stare into those pretty, soulful eyes.
See 26 of his key looks:
Rex FeaturesAvoid cowl necks
It's in no way Zayn's fault that this look doesn't work - there is no making a cowl neck look good, it's just one of life's challenges. Although, we do favour his semi AllSaints vibe here, as seen in 2010 on the X Factor.
Rex FeaturesNever underestimate the power of skinny tailoring
If this were a true Dior Homme look, the trousers would be skinnier - in fact, his legs would look incarcerated by cloth - but it's a commendable nod to one of menswear's most favoured cool boy styles.
Rex FeaturesInvest in a bomber jacket
Zayn knew before most of us that bomber jackets were bound to be a big deal at some point, working his from 2012 onwards. It's still a style staple today.
Rex FeaturesIf you hate what you're wearing, hide it
This picture of Zayn hugging a koala went viral back in 2012, but who's to say that he hadn't spilt something down his front and was using the aforementioned animal as a way of concealing the mess?
Rex FeaturesDo channel your inner Danny Zuko
Danny Zuko's look was timelessly cool - a leather jacket worn with black trousers and a white tee, accessorised with a daft quiff. Following a screening of Grease (maybe), Zayn felt inspired by the lead T-Bird and rocked this ensemble.
Rex FeaturesGo easy on the eyeliner
Now we're not saying that men can't wear eyeliner (we're big into gender equality, after all), and yet there is such a thing as going OTT as young Zayn found out in late 2012.
Rex FeaturesRibbon is always chic
How to make a white shirt stand out? Tie a black ribbon round the collar for a chic twist. Nice work Zayn.
Rex FeaturesBe yourself
Even when your pals are embracing whatever fashion fad is currently in (see here Louis Tomlinson in cropped trousers and no socks), stay true to what you want to wear. Create a style uniform and stick to it - in Zayn's case, that's a colour palette of black and clean, crisp tailoring.
Rex FeaturesDo try high-top trainers
They give everything a sporty, urban edge. Even white skinny jeans.
Rex FeaturesPolo necks are your friends
It's not often that you see a man under 40 in a polo neck, but Zayn knows only too well that they immediately give men folk an air of mature elegance.
Rex FeaturesAccessorise with a neckerchief
Wearing a neckerchief became a big fashion trend among fashion bloggers in 2015 but Zayn was ahead of the game, injecting a pirate-esque appeal to his suit with a rolled up scarf and statement rings at the 2014 BRITs.
Rex FeaturesNever wear a zig-zag comb headband
Look, we're into 90s nostalgia as much as the next person, but some things should just be left in the past.
Rex FeaturesYou CAN wear a dress coat
Zayn proved that dress coats are not solely reserved for members of the royal family. He pulled out the big guns for his first appearance at the menswear fashion shows, showing off his buzzcut and diamond nose stud with a beautifully cut, simple Valentino coat.
Rex FeaturesHawaiian prints are a go-go
At the Louis Vuitton SS16 show, Malik managed to temporarily mute talk of his pretty eyes to discussion over his Hawaiian shirt-cum-varsity jacket hybrid. The fashion scene have since welcomed him with open arms.
Getty ImagesSee slide 1
Enough with the cowl necks Zayn. Stop it now. Please replace with a polo neck.
Getty ImagesAllow for normcore
Here we have Zayn channelling one of fashion's most questionable trends of 2014 and 2015 - normcore, which is about wearing detail-free bland clothes that make the wearer look anonymous. Considering Malik left One Direction in a bid to lead a more normal life, it seems like a trend that would be very fitting for the 22-year-old.
Do dress in one colour
Dressing in one block colour has become a favourite among fashion circles of late, and so Zayn has followed suit. We love his understated rock 'n' roll vibe here.
Getty ImagesRipped jeans are ok even in winter
Zayn Malik's an advocate for all-year-round ripped jeans, even in the coldest depths of winter. Cold knees, Zayn?
Getty ImagesYou can wear a tracksuit to a formal event
... if you're Zayn Malik. The pop star rocked up to a radio event in a Nike tracksuit and he still managed to look damn good. Fair play to you, Zayn.
Rex FeaturesMatching suit? No need
Zayn proves that mix and matching your suit components can result in a pretty suave outcome.
Splash NewsDon't be afraid to go grey
Grey isn't boring, so make like Zayn and wear it doubled.
Rex FeaturesBreak the style rules
Some say navy and black should never be seen. Zayn proves them wrong.
Rex FeaturesThe logo tee is for any month of the year
Even winter - just style it up with a shearling jacket a la Zayn.
Rex FeaturesEven men can do bombers
Let this picture of Zayn be all the proof you need.
Getty ImagesNeon yellow hair is never a good idea
We don't know what we dislike more about this look: the slicked back hair with yellow ends or the extremely low-buttoned shirt. We'll forgive you this once, Zayn, because we love you, ok?
Getty ImagesCheck shirts are a staple
Check shirts are a wardrobe staple and can be rocked whatever the weather. We're not quite sure about those jeans though...
