The black leather jacket worn by Nvidia founder and former chief executive Jensen Huang has shifted from a symbol of tech cool to a subject of widespread internet mockery. The change in perception arrived this week after Huang resigned from his position following reports of multiple extramarital affairs. What was once a carefully curated visual trademark is now being cited in headlines as a cliché associated with midlife crisis behavior.
From Rebel Icon to Punchline
For nearly two decades, Huang’s uniform of a black leather jacket, black t-shirt, and black jeans served as a deliberate break from traditional corporate attire. The look was intended to signal an unconventional leadership style. However, recent media coverage has reinterpreted the garment through a different lens. The Cut published an article titled “Jensen Huang’s leather jackets confessed before he did,” directly linking his wardrobe to the reported infidelities. In the New York Times, writer Anand Giridharadas questioned whether an expensive leather jacket on a middle-aged man had become a new symbol for a “honeypot victim.”
The internet response was immediate and saturated with memes. One widely circulated image depicted a leather jacket flying at half-mast outside the SpaceX headquarters. Another fake image showed Huang in a studded leather jacket, which many users accepted as real. Social media users also shared jokes comparing the situation to divorced dad stereotypes. One user on X noted that the discourse reminded them of a friend who was told, “great jacket, sorry you got divorced,” after wearing a similar item to a party.
The Economics of Cool
Huang’s relationship with the garment was not merely aesthetic. In a September interview with CBS, he revealed he owned between 30 and 40 leather jackets. He credited his wife, Lori Huang, with selecting the pieces, which ranged from motorcycle-inspired styles to collarless croc-embossed designs. The commercial value of the jacket has been significant. In July, a Tom Ford jacket worn and signed by Huang sold at a Sotheby’s charity auction for $960,000. This price was more than ten times the original retail cost.
Style expert Peter Bevan described the jacket as Huang’s method of “borrowing some cool.” He noted the garment’s history as a symbol of rebellion, citing Marlon Brando in The Wild One and David Bowie on the Heroes album cover. By choosing leather over a suit, Huang projected an image of a leader who refused to conform. Bevan summarized the intent as Huang saying, “I’m not a regular billionaire boss, I’m a cool billionaire boss.”
Huang himself offered a more practical explanation for his choice. He told CBS that the jacket helped him avoid decision fatigue. “Black is the absence of choice,” he said. He explained that wearing the same outfit daily removed small decisions from his morning routine, allowing him to focus on more important matters. This approach drew attention from other tech leaders. Mark Zuckerberg posted a photo of Huang swapping jackets in 2024 and later presented him with a shearling-lined coat at a conference in Colorado. Huang reciprocated by giving Zuckerberg the jacket he was wearing, noting that his wife had bought it to commemorate the event.
Style Critique and Future Implications
Despite the high prices and celebrity endorsements, fashion experts warn that the look is difficult to maintain. Bevan stated that a box-fresh leather jacket often feels “try hard” and quickly tips into midlife crisis territory. He identified the most common mistake men make as choosing jackets that are too shiny, too new, and too tight. He pointed to Jeremy Clarkson as an example of someone who struggles with the style, often pairing it with bootcut jeans. In contrast, Bevan praised those who look like they have owned their jackets for years, such as Lenny Kravitz and John Malkovich.
For those without what Bevan described as “rock-star DNA,” he suggested a cotton Harrington jacket as an alternative that offers similar cool without the baggage. As for Huang, the future of his wardrobe may require adjustment. While the leather jacket worked well for tech conferences and developer keynotes, it may be harder to justify during formal congressional testimony. The garment that once defined his public image is now inextricably linked to the scandal that ended his tenure.
Source: The Guardian
