Shankul Bhandare
Meta founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg is primarily recognized for his contributions to the tech industry rather than his personal fashion, but it appears the billionaire is gradually making strides toward becoming a style icon.
Zuckerberg, now worth $177 billion according to Forbes, made a significant impact on the tech scene as a young prodigy behind the creation of Facebook. Even in his early 20s, he attracted attention for his relaxed wardrobe, often seen in gray t-shirts.
Today, at 40 years old, a father, and the leader of a tech empire that has grown far beyond social networking, Zuckerberg’s style is once again making headlines.
In April, he introduced a chain necklace to his wardrobe, and the internet quickly took notice. His nearly 14 million followers on Instagram praised his new “drip,” a slang term for stylishness, with memes and positive comments.
Whether attending lavish weddings, celebrating his birthday in May, or watching UFC fights from ringside, Zuckerberg’s Instagram posts now have a touch of influencer flair.
He left Harvard University in 2005 to focus on Facebook full-time, and his style then was reminiscent of a typical college student.
In the picture above, he sports a quarter-zip pullover with blue jeans — a staple in Zuckerberg’s wardrobe throughout his public life.
His understated attire contrasted sharply with his bold attitude during Facebook’s early days. Notably, he carried business cards that proclaimed, “I’m CEO, Bitch.”
Over time, Zuckerberg became synonymous with his gray t-shirts and hoodies.
While his jeans varied from light to dark washes, he consistently paired them with a hoodie and a comfortable pair of sneakers, such as the Brooks tennis shoes shown in the photo above.
In a 2014 Q&A, Zuckerberg explained, “I really want to clear my life to make it so that I have to make as few decisions as possible about anything except how to best serve this community. I feel like I’m not doing my job if I spend any of my energy on things that are silly or frivolous about my life.”
The photos above were taken four years apart, yet the difference is hardly noticeable. For over a decade, Zuckerberg consistently wore the same outfits.
Adam Mosseri, head of Instagram, mentioned on “The Colin and Samir Show” that Zuckerberg spent many years “not wasting any energy on deciding what to wear.”
Mosseri noted that Zuckerberg, like many tech executives, opted to wear “the same thing every day for a long time.”
In 2016, Zuckerberg humorously captioned a Facebook post showing a rack of identical gray shirts and dark gray hoodies with, “First day back after paternity leave. What should I wear?”
Around 2018, Zuckerberg’s style began to change, possibly to reflect his growing wealth. At that time, Forbes estimated his net worth at about $71 billion.
Replacing his usual t-shirts and hoodies, the Meta CEO started opting for luxurious cashmere sweaters and better-fitting jeans.
The pandemic has blurred the boundaries of what constitutes appropriate work attire. As offices reopen post-lockdown, there’s a renewed discussion about dress codes, though for the boss, those guidelines are often more flexible.
In 2021, Zuckerberg was photographed alongside Facebook’s then-chief operating officer, Sheryl Sandberg, and former White House Office of National Drug Control Policy advisor Kevin Sabet. The trio had just attended a session at the Sun Valley Conference, where Zuckerberg notably appeared more relaxed compared to his colleagues. He traded his typical jeans for shorts and paired them with slip-on sandals.
During a trip to Japan in February, Zuckerberg and Chan’s vacation attire caused a stir.
Months before his chain became a sensation, the shearling jacket he sported in Japan captured public attention. His Instagram followers got a glimpse of his off-duty style, which typically featured a neutral top, well-fitted jeans, and white Nike sneakers.
This new jacket marked a departure from his usual hoodies, and it became iconic in a “jersey swap” photo where Zuckerberg traded jackets with Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, another prominent figure in the tech industry.
On certain occasions requiring more formal attire, Zuckerberg isn’t hesitant to conform.
For court appearances, upscale weddings, and ceremonial events, he often opts for a traditional black suit.
During the March pre-wedding festivities for members of India’s wealthiest family, the Ambanis, Zuckerberg and his wife Priscilla Chan donned all-black outfits adorned with gold details. Zuckerberg notably wore a dragonfly pin on his lapel.
At his 40th birthday party in May, Zuckerberg solidified his evolving fashion statement. Sporting a gold chain and a black T-shirt, the latter featuring a distinctive message.
Emblazoned with “Carthago delenda est,” translating to “Carthage must be destroyed,” the phrase holds historical significance attributed to Roman historian Cato the Elder. According to Business Insider, it was a rallying cry within Facebook during its competition with Google in 2016.
Zuckerberg previously shared that these new chains are part of a personal “process,” hinting at designing a long-term chain engraved with a prayer he reads to his daughters.
The sentiment behind his choices resonates, garnering widespread admiration and generating viral content and positive attention online.
“I absolutely love it,” Mosseri expressed in June.
