Steve Jobs is one of the most iconic entrepreneurs in history, thanks to his incredible ability
to predict the future.
But one of his most iconic creations wasn’t a product or company, it was actually his
outfit.
As early as the 1980’s, Jobs could be seen wearing a black turtleneck and blue Levis
jeans.
Which was very unusual for the CEO of a multi-million dollar company.
By the 90s, he began wearing this signature outfit everyday.
In public while visiting Apple Stores, on stage during keynote presentations, and even
privately in his own home.
This has left many people wondering why Jobs wore the same outfit everyday, and what prompted
him to settle on a black mock turtleneck with blue jeans.
So let’s find out why.
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Alright now the origin story behind Steve Job’s iconic outfit is almost as fascinating
as the man himself.
Who was known to have a passion for Japanese design and architecture.
And it was during a trip to Japan in the 80’s when Jobs learned about a unique approach
to corporate clothing.
While touring a factory that belonged to Sony, Jobs noticed that everyone working there wore
uniforms.
Which was very unusual for office and factory workers at the time.
Jobs asked then CEO Akio Morita why Sony provided them with uniforms, instead of simply wearing
their own clothing from home.
Morita explained that after World War II, most people in Japan didn’t even have clothing
to wear to work.
So companies like Sony had to provide them with something to wear every day.
But the decision regarding what outfit they would give employees wasn’t made arbitrarily.
Sony recognized the opportunity to create a uniform that would give the company a signature
style, and a chance to foster camaraderie among workers.
Who wouldn’t have to feel embarrassed about not having any nice outfits to wear to work.
Sony enlisted the help of Japanese designer Issey Miyake to make their uniforms.
And what he ended up creating was a beige nylon jacket with sleeves that could be unzipped
to make a vest.
This approach to corporate dress appealed to Jobs, but didn’t make much sense to Apple’s
employees.
Jobs explained, “I decided that I wanted that type of bonding for Apple.
So I called Issey and asked him to design a vest.
I came back with some samples and told everyone it would be great if we would all
wear these vests.
Oh man, did I get booed off the stage.
Everybody hated the idea.”
But despite the failed attempt to implement uniforms, there was some good that came out
of the experience.
It led to Jobs and Issey forming a friendship that resulted in the successful creation of
a uniform, if only for one person: Jobs himself.
He became enamored with the idea of wearing the same thing everyday.
Not only for the convenience, but also to establish a signature style.
Which Steve Jobs had already done for Apple, and now wanted to do for himself.
He said, “So I asked Issey to make me some of his black turtlenecks that I liked, and
he made me like a hundred of them.
I have enough to last for the rest of my life.”
But it wasn’t only the black turtleneck that defined Jobs personal uniform.
He also wore a pair of Levi’s 501 original fit jeans, and a pair of sneakers, usually
New Balance.
The outfit quickly became Job’s signature look, and inspired fans like me to recreate
the style themselves.
Which probably wasn’t the most socially-acceptable thing to wear in high school, but it was fun
nonetheless.
In fact, people became so passionate that after Job’s death in 2011, they flocked
to purchase his iconic turtleneck from a company called St Croix.
The clothing label claimed Steve Jobs was a, quote, “great innovator and fan of St
Croix.”
Although that statement wasn’t entirely true, since Jobs never purchased his shirts
from that company.
But despite the dishonesty, their stock of $175 black mock turtlenecks sold out just
days after Job’s death.
The true designer and supplier of Job’s iconic turtleneck, Issey Miyake, ended up
releasing an updated version in 2017.
It was called the Semi-Dull T and featured a trimmer silhouette and higher shoulders
than the original worn by Jobs.
Made from 60% polyester and 40% cotton, it went on sale for $270, and was retired from
production in 2018.
Although you can still find them being sold on resale websites like Grailed for about
$500.
Alright guys so that is why Steve Jobs wore the same thing everyday.
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