You've probably seen it. That razor-sharp, slightly oversized silhouette cutting through a rainy Manhattan street. It’s a look that shouldn't work—a symbol of 1980s excess and corporate soullessness—yet here we are in 2026, and the Patrick Bateman trench coat is somehow the most relevant piece of outerwear in your social media feed.
It’s weird, honestly. We’re taking style cues from a fictional serial killer whose entire personality was a curated mask. But if you look past the gore of American Psycho, the fashion was actually brilliant. It wasn't just about clothes; it was about armor.
The Identity of the Coat
First, let's get the facts straight. People often confuse the different layers Bateman wears. In the film, Christian Bale sports two distinct "long" looks that get lumped together. There’s the heavy, dark wool overcoat—often cited as a Cerruti 1881 or Burberry piece—and then there’s the tan, lighter-weight trench.
Costume designer Isis Mussenden had a massive job: make Bateman look like a million bucks while ensuring he looked exactly like every other guy in the room. That was the joke. They all wore the same designers. They all had the same hair.
The trench coat specifically serves as his "public" skin. It’s a tan, double-breasted gabardine masterpiece. While the book mentions brands like Armani and Brooks Brothers with obsessive frequency, the film's wardrobe had to navigate real-world brand sensitivities. Fun fact: Cerruti actually supplied most of the suits for Bale, but they supposedly had a rule that he couldn't wear their clothes while actually committing the murders.
Imagine being a high-end fashion house and saying, "Yes, he can look fabulous while talking about Huey Lewis, but please put him in a plastic poncho before he picks up the axe."
Why the 80s Yuppie Look is Back
Trends are cyclical, sure. But the return of the Patrick Bateman trench coat feels different. It’s part of a broader "Corporate Gothic" or "Power Casual" movement. We're tired of sweatpants. People want to feel "important" again, even if they're just going to a coffee shop.
The 1980s trench was defined by:
- Huge, padded shoulders (the "Power Suit" silhouette)
- Long hemlines that hit well below the knee
- Heavy gabardine or wool blends that hold their shape
- A neutral palette of tan, stone, and charcoal
It’s about "quiet luxury" before that term became a marketing buzzword. It’s a coat that says you have a 10:30 appointment at Dorsia, even if you’re actually just checking your emails in a park.
The "Other" Coat: The Clear Raincoat
We have to talk about it. If you search for this style, you’re inevitably going to find the clear vinyl raincoat. It’s the ultimate irony. In the movie, Bateman wears a transparent plastic coat to protect his expensive suit from blood splatter while "handling" Paul Allen.
In the real world, this has become a meme-tier fashion statement. You’ll see high-fashion versions of this on runways from Raf Simons to Maison Margiela. It’s the ultimate "if you know, you know" garment. It’s a bit macabre, sure, but it’s also a commentary on transparency and the "fake" nature of modern personas.
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How to Style a Patrick Bateman Trench Coat Without Looking Like a Costume
If you want to pull this off without looking like you’re heading to a Halloween party, you have to break the "uniform."
- Ditch the suit. Don't wear the full 80s pinstripe setup unless you want to be asked for your business card all night.
- Go oversized but structured. The Bateman look depends on the shoulders. If the coat slumps too much, it looks like a thrift store find (and not the good kind).
- Contrast the formality. Try wearing a high-quality hoodie or a simple white tee underneath. It grounds the look in 2026 rather than 1987.
- Footwear matters. Chunky loafers or even clean, minimalist sneakers work better than the stiff oxfords Bateman would have worn.
Where to Find the Real Deal
Finding a vintage 80s trench is the "holy grail" for this aesthetic. Look for vintage Burberry Prorsum or Aquascutum on resale sites. These brands invented the trench coat, and their 80s-era cuts have that exact "Wall Street" volume you're looking for.
Modern alternatives exist too. Brands like The Row and Saint Laurent have been leaning heavily into this silhouette recently. They’ve captured that specific "heavy" drape that makes the coat look expensive.
The Psychological Aspect
There’s a reason this specific garment stuck in the collective consciousness. The trench coat is a "concealing" garment. It hides the body, it hides the outfit, and for Bateman, it hides his lack of a soul.
When you put on a heavy, tan trench, you feel a bit more private. A bit more shielded. In a world where everything is shared online, there’s a massive appeal in a garment that offers a bit of mystery.
Final Verdict on the Look
Is the Patrick Bateman trench coat a "killer" fashion choice? Honestly, yeah. It’s one of the few items that has successfully transitioned from "satirical costume" to "wardrobe staple." It represents a time when clothes were built to last and silhouettes were unapologetically bold.
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Just... maybe leave the axe at home.
Next Steps for Your Wardrobe
- Check the label: If you're buying vintage, look for 100% cotton gabardine or wool. Avoid cheap polyester blends; they won't drape correctly and will look shiny in a bad way.
- Tailor the sleeves: The 80s look was big, but the sleeves shouldn't swallow your hands. A quick trip to the tailor to get the arm length right makes a $50 vintage find look like a $2,000 designer piece.
- Master the belt: Don't use the buckle. Tie the belt in a loose knot at the waist or tie it behind your back to pull the silhouette together. It adds a bit of "nonchalance" to an otherwise stiff look.