- Spring is here and billionaires are changing their styles to adapt to the warmer weather.
- Italian brands, trendy sneakers and more are attracting the attention of the elite.
- Here’s what Silicon Valley’s best will be wearing in 2024.
The world’s richest bosses will be attending a range of social events this spring, and their style choices are indicative of the trend among the richest 1%.
Tech billionaires are ditching the basic t-shirt and jeans they’re known for wearing. Today, they accessorize with sunglasses, unique outerwear and sometimes flashy watches.
“They get a little more attention and I think they like it,” Victoria Hitchcockfashion stylist and personal brander from the San Francisco Bay Area, told Business Insider.
She added: “All of a sudden they stand out as potential future icons in areas they never intended to go.”
Look no further than Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, who is a true example of this fashion upgrade to his technical street style. The Facebook founder may still wear the classic tee and jeans, but he recently chose to pair it with a chain necklace and New Balance sneakers.
Hitchcock told BI that Zuck’s new style was part of a larger “strategy” in recent years to “make him approachable and show that he’s a fun guy.”
Here’s what Zuckerberg and his fellow wealthy tech titans are wearing this spring, according to style experts.
The shack
Bill Gates, 68, stays fashionable with what his fellow tech bosses wear. Clive Brunskill/Getty Images
In March, Bill Gates was spotted in a navy top while sitting in the crowd at a tennis match. At first glance, it’s a basic collared shirt, but the Microsoft founder is right on trend with the look that men in Silicon Valley want.
“It looks formal, like an old dress shirt, but they’re actually knitted, so it has a much more casual vibe,” Hitchcock said.
Sometimes called a shirt, the top is thick enough to be considered outerwear, but can be worn on its own as a shirt.
It’s unclear where Gates got his cabin.
Hitchcock’s clients, including wealthy San Francisco tech bosses, often opt for Italian luxury brand Herno when shopping for similar clothing.
And Bob’s Watches CEO Paul Altieri said it’s intentional that top performers choose to wear “clothing that has no name” on its exterior. The choices are part of the understated luxury trend that continues to dominate the runways and street style.
Their favorite sneaker brands
Y-3 brand sneakers (right) are popular among Hitchcock’s customers and were recently worn by Sergey Brin. Getty Images; On; End of clothes
Google founder Sergey Brin recently walked the red carpet wearing sneakers with his suit, and it’s certainly not uncommon for tech execs to keep it casual.
“We have seen a decline in interest in limited-edition sneakers, while interest in George Esquivel’s understated luxury sneakers and the Zegna Triple Stitch remains high,” said Nicole Pollard Bayme, CEO of the company. of Lalaluxe styling, based in Los Angeles.
The New Balance sneakers – particularly popular with Gen Z right now – worn by Zuckerberg could indicate that billionaires are also paying attention to current style trends.
And there’s On, a brand that has recently taken over Hitchcock customers’ shopping lists for the past three years. The On shoes cost less than $200.
Sporty sunglasses are in fashion
Nike sunglasses cost around $100 on the website. Getty Images
When it comes to accessories, sporty metal-framed sunglasses are a favorite among men, especially when billionaires attend outdoor sporting events.
It’s no surprise that Nike founder Phil Knight is blocking the sun with his own brand, but the sunglasses silhouette is a great example of current trends.
“When they watch sports, they’re not going to wear high-end tortoiseshell frames,” Hitchcock said. “They like metal, which is really funny because I don’t think women change their glasses for sporting events.”
Women in charge want kitten heels and expensive jewelry
Manolo Blahnik shoes cost around $900 new. Victoria Hitchcock; Oscar Heyman
As for her clients, Hitchcock said they opt for understated shoes and eye-catching jewelry.
They’re kitten heels – often Manolo Blahnik – with their jeans and blazers complemented by “high-end luxury” jewelry for the elite women of Silicon Valley.
For example, a cat’s eye chrysoberyl ring with 26 diamonds from jeweler Oscar Heyman (pictured above) brings customers about $320,000.
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