How Harrison White Refined and Redefined the Concept of Style

This article examines some key tenets of Harrison White’s concept of style. It starts with core insights from his magnum opus, Identity and Control, where style connects all other key concepts within his framework, and discusses its potential for sociological research (“so what?”). Positioned as a flexible yet structured tool, style helps sharpen the sociological eye. Notably, the author recalls memories of how he came to engage with the concept of style in his work with Harrison White, highlighting the role of style in shaping meaning, guiding network dynamics, and connecting social order and change.