Honestly, if you’ve spent more than five minutes on X (the artist formerly known as Twitter) lately, you’ve probably seen it. That grainy, slightly haunting photo of a younger, pale, and surprisingly "goth" version of the world’s richest man. He’s staring into the camera with an intensity that feels like it belongs in a Victorian vampire novel or a Matrix spinoff. But the real star of that viral moment? The Elon Musk trench coat.
It’s a long, double-breasted black jacket with metallic buttons that basically screams "I’m about to buy a social media platform and change the logo to a letter." Recently, Musk himself resurrected this photo, leaning into the meme that he had previously tried to "delete it from the internet." He hadn’t, of course—the internet never forgets—but the resurgence of the look has sparked a massive wave of interest in his peculiar fashion evolution.
From the "Devil's Champion" armor at Halloween parties to the leather jackets at Tesla delivery events, Musk’s outerwear isn't just about staying warm. It’s a signal.
The Mystery of the Gothic Trench Coat
What really happened with that specific trench coat? It’s not just a piece of clothing; it’s a time capsule.
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Most people assume it’s a recent AI-generated image. There are plenty of those floating around—midjourney renders of Elon in Cyberpunk 2077 gear—but the "Goth Elon" photo is very real. It dates back about a decade. At the time, Musk was deep in the trenches of SpaceX and Tesla’s early "production hell." The look was a far cry from the Silicon Valley uniform of Patagonia vests and Allbirds.
Why the look went viral
- The Contrast: Seeing a guy who talks about multi-planetary life dressed like he’s headed to a Cure concert is jarring.
- The Mystery: For years, rumors swirled that he hated the photo. That made people want to share it more.
- The Silhouette: Long coats imply authority. Or a villain arc. Depending on who you ask.
Kinda funny, right? The guy who wants to colonize Mars spent his 30s looking like he might be a regular at an underground industrial club in Berlin.
When Fashion Becomes a Tech Statement
The Elon Musk trench coat vibe didn't stop with that one old photo. If you look at the "We, Robot" event in late 2024, there was a major legal dust-up over a trench coat-wearing figure in a desolate, orange-lit cityscape. Alcon Entertainment, the production company behind Blade Runner 2049, actually sued Tesla and Musk. They claimed the promotional images used AI to mimic Ryan Gosling’s iconic look without permission.
Musk has always been obsessed with the Blade Runner aesthetic. He’s basically tried to build the movie’s cars (Cybertruck, anyone?). When he leans into these long, structured coats, he’s not just picking something off a rack. He’s trying to inhabit a specific futuristic archetype.
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What Kind of Coats Does He Actually Wear?
If you’re trying to track down the exact brand, good luck. Musk is known to wear Alexander McQueen, which makes sense given the brand’s history of "dark" and structured tailoring. But he’s also a fan of custom pieces.
Take the 2018 Met Gala. He showed up with Grimes wearing a white tuxedo jacket that had "Novus Ordo Seclorum" (New World Order) printed on the back. Then there was the $7,500 "Devil’s Champion" leather armor he wore to Heidi Klum’s Halloween party. That wasn't a trench coat, but it shared the same DNA: black, heavy, and intentionally provocative.
Breaking Down the Wardrobe
- The Classic Leather: Usually a belted, stand-up collar style seen at Tesla events.
- The Frock Coat: Longer, more Victorian. This is the one from the "deleted" photo.
- The "Dark Maga" Gear: More recent, often involving black-on-black hoodies and hats, ditching the formal structure for a more "streetwear" power move.
A lot of the "Elon Musk coats" you see online today are actually replicas made by leather jacket companies. They use PU leather or low-grade cowhide to mimic the high-fashion silhouettes he wears. They’re basically cosplay for tech bros who want to feel like they’re "disrupting" a meeting.
The Psychological Power of the Long Coat
Psychologists often talk about "enclothed cognition." Basically, what you wear changes how you think and act.
When a billionaire ditches the suit for a trench coat, he’s signaling that he doesn't care about the traditional rules of the "Old Money" elite. He’s not Bill Gates in a sweater. He’s more like a movie character who came to life. It’s a subtle, psychological demonstration of status. He has the privilege to be scruffy, or goth, or weird, because his net worth provides a shield that a mid-level manager at a bank just doesn't have.
Honestly, the Elon Musk trench coat is the ultimate "I have more money than you" flex. It says, "I can dress like a character from a dystopian sci-fi novel because I’m the one actually building the dystopia." Or utopia. Again, depends on your perspective.
How to Get the Look (Without the Billionaire Price Tag)
You don't need a SpaceX budget to pull off this vibe, though you might want to avoid the full "Goth Elon" look if you’re going to a wedding.
If you’re looking for something similar, search for "double-breasted wool overcoat" or "leather duster." Stick to black or charcoal. The key is the fit—Musk’s coats are usually quite structured in the shoulders.
Style Tips for the Modern Tech Aesthetic
- Keep it monochrome: If the coat is black, keep the shirt and pants black.
- Mind the length: A coat that hits mid-thigh is modern; anything past the knees starts to look like a costume.
- Mix textures: Try a matte wool coat with a leather boot to break up the "darkness."
Insights for Your Wardrobe
At the end of the day, the fascination with the Elon Musk trench coat proves that even in an age of AI and rockets, we’re still obsessed with the "man in the arena" and what he’s wearing. Fashion is a language. Musk uses it to tell a story about the future, power, and his own refusal to fit into a box.
If you want to incorporate this into your own style, start with a high-quality black overcoat. It’s a piece that never really goes out of style, even if you aren't planning on launching any satellites this week. Focus on structured shoulders and a slim silhouette to avoid looking like you're wearing a literal blanket. High-end brands like AllSaints or Theory offer the "dark tech" look at a fraction of the custom McQueen price point. Invest in one solid piece rather than five cheap replicas; the drape of the fabric is what makes the "mogul" look work.