Elon Musk is known to voice out his almost impossible-to-achieve imagination – such as making quiet flying cars, submarine cars and high speed transportation system—and eventually making them happen. And he is not your stereotypical technology savvy entrepreneur who wears a drab attire of old t-shirt, hoodies, unflattering fit of old jeans and thick geek glasses. He is, in fact, an attractive 42-year-old who wears stylish clothes, drives handsome cars and is a billionaire to boot.
Musk is the CEO of Tesla Motors, the company making revolutionary electric cars already in use by Hollywood A-listers such as Brad Pitt, George Clooney and Leonardo DiCaprio. He is an entrepreneur, engineer and inventor who leads space vehicle manufacturer SpaceX, software company Zip2, SolarCity, is part of the Paypal Mafia, as well as concept of the future transport system Hyperloop.
Unlike most geeks, he isn’t shy of the limelight, having been on the news quite often, not only on subjects of his innovations and net worth but also for controversies surrounding his divorce, custody of his twins and triplets, libels and breach of contracts. He also landed in cameo roles in films Iron Man 2 and Thank You for Smoking.
Elon Musk Style
So the technology tycoon was in fact wearing ‘geek clothes’ including boring hoodies, sloppy colored t-shirts, baggy pants and probably some colorful socks in the mid-2000s. But Elon Musk is a forward-looking individual who, like his approach on innovation, willed to change with the times in upgrading his wardrobe. He isn’t oblivious on how smart dressing and good aesthetics can affect his business, commanding authority and interest to his visually-propelled clientele.
The innovator and leader that he is, Musk is now a rocket-notch above the rest of the geeks in personal style. Now he dresses like he’s always ready for a GQ photo shoot, of suit and tie or tight black t-shirts, leather jackets and designer jeans. He has transformed into a look, almost fitting of an eligible bachelor, you wouldn’t mind if he coughs topics like Phenolic Impregnated Carbon Ablator on your fantasy dinner date.
When invited for an interview, the 6-foot-1 wears a black polo shirt under a black jacket with jeans and aviator glasses. He drives around with his red Tesla roadster explaining electric cars and rockets, making them sound like girls and football.
In his brief appearance in Iron Man, Musk comes out dashing in a striped button down shirt under a white blazer, outshining Robert Downey, Jr. for a brief second. Small movie roles aside, Musk can easily be a superhero in Hollywood-esque features with his plans of combating global warming, sending humans to invade Mars and democratizing technology otherwise reserved for the Silicon Valley elite. As Jon Favreau, the Iron Man director who took Musk as the inspiration for the character Tony Stark, said about him: “A Renaissance man in an era that needs them.”
Elon Musk has proven to this planet that a Nikola Tesla brain is never a hindrance to an impeccable style; that geek inside good clothes can happen. He also proved that in great personal style, a smart brain can be one man’s biggest fashion accessory, thus making him one of our true style icon favorites of the 21st century.
The Elon Musk Lookbook
The Business Formal Style
Wearing a plaid grey suit worn with tie and black Oxfords, plus a matching Tesla car, Elon Musk exudes that powerful billionaire appeal. With a style like this, who would ever think he has that geek interior? Recreate that look yourself right now with the following.
- Topman Skinny Fit Plaid Suit Jacket – US$149.90
- ‘Felix’ Plain Toe Leather Derby Shoes (Men) – US$325
- ‘Easton’ Slim Fit Dress Shirt – US$112.50
- Woven Silk Tie – US$95
The Red Carpet Casual Style
Musk on the worldwide debut of Tesla Model X. More Hollywood-looking than space invader in a crisp white button down shirt under a sleek blazer to match his black jeans and dress shoes.
- ASOS Slim Fit Blazer In Velvet – US$155
- Trim Fit Non-Iron Piqué Dress Shirt – US$49.50
- Slim Fit Dark Indigo Jean – Us$69.50
- ‘Reggio’ Patent Leather Derby Shoes – US$99.95
The Casual Style
Something so simple and basic comes out stylish on Elon Musk. A well-fitted plain black t-shirt, blue jeans worn with Oxfords has become identifiable to this man who made geek sleek.
- ASOS Tshirt with Crew Neck – US$11.61
- ASOS Derby Leather Shoes – US$69.65
- Protégé’ Straight Leg Jeans – US$185
Dress Like Elon Musk
You don’t have to be an investor in SpaceX to acquire the Elon Musk look. Replacing your sloppy casuals with plain t-shirt or polo shirt of your correct size and relaxed fit classic blue jeans and finalizing it with a pair of Oxfords will exude that smart everyday look like Musk’s. For dressing smartly, that same Oxfords can be used for formal and semi-formal occasions to complement crisp white shirts, suits and blazers of classic colors and cuts. A Tesla brain and roadster—optional.
