The Mark Zuckerberg Rumor and Its Cost
Every day, almost every one of us uses a platform or product owned by Mark Zuckerberg. From the commonplace Facebook, to Instagram, Oculus, and Whatsapp, Mr. Zuckerberg is worth an estimated 90 billion dollars and is among the world’s leading tech personalities.
Social media, particularly Facebook, exploded with the rumor that Mr. Zuckerberg wears a plain gray t-shirt every day and only changes it once a week. Every day more and more people want to know how much that t-shirt costs: is it a designer t-shirt or some plain, undistinguished gray t-shirt?
Experts say the plain gray T-shirt rumor is true. Ashley Pettit, a fashion writer, says, “It just simplifies his life. He has to make a lot of decisions during the day. So the one decision he has to make; whether he’s going to wear a gray t-shirt or not is an easy one, in theory.”
But owning a closet full of t-shirts from ordinary retail stores, no matter how much, doesn’t seem to fit the billionaire lifestyle. Claims have risen that Mark Zuckerberg’s t-shirt might come from almost any designer or even custom-made depending on the circumstances of the day. Yet nobody truly knows his shirt’s origins – and it is the biggest attraction of the rumors.
The cost of making the simple and humble act of wearing a grey t-shirt a lifestyle can vary. Getting an ordinary t-shirt from a store is affordable and starts at $5 or less. It is however, close to impossible to wear the same t-shirt every day of the week and so buying multiple would be a necessity. On average, a pack of five t-shirts could cost anywhere between $20 to $50.
Opting to buy designer t-shirts is a much more expensive endeavor. Donna Lijoi, fashion blogger and luxury street-style icon says, “Designer stuff always come with the premium prices. In the case of the plain t-shirt, you’re looking at a starting price of around $35 right up to around $150 for a premium quality product.”
Furthermore, some choosing to “go all out” to have a closet full of designer grey t-shirts could reach an even greater cost. The cost of a designer gray t-shirt from luxury brands are enormous with some pieces selling for as much as $1000.
The Resilience of the T-Shirt as a Fashion Item
T-shirts are iconic and are greatly appreciated in the fashion world. From being sold in convenience stores to highly sophisticated fashion shows. The T-shirt has been through it all and that is what made it so popular.
In the 2000s, fashion designers began to use the T-shirt as a blank canvas for artistic expression. Designers such as Christian Audigier and Marc Jacobs started their own lines of T-shirts that filled the store shelves with bold designs.
The embracement of the T-shirt into the fashion world was soon accompanied by the rise of streetwear. Certain brands, such as Supreme and Kith, making streetwear an organized display of fashion. Streetwear designs further elevated the concept of T-shirts as everyday fashion pieces.
This runaway success of the T-shirt industry has had celebrities jumping in to give their two cents. Jay-Z has his own shirt line and so does Kanye West, giving fashion a different perspective than the on shared by traditional fashion houses.
The Birth of the “Basic” Shirt
The trend of a basic t-shirt started in the late ’90s and became mainstream in the early 2010s. The basic t-shirt’s popularity largely derives from its simplicity and its low maintenance. It consists of some of the most universally flattering fits, such as the V-neck and crew neck.
What drew people to the basic aesthetic was its lack of fuss and excess fabric. Brands such as Everlane, Aritzia, and J.Crew popularised the basic T-shirt and helped to create a universal definition for the garment. Subtle differences in fabric can completely change the feel of the shirt.
Materials such as linen, modal, or cotton can add a different touch to the plainness of the shirt. Sometimes a little bit of texture in the fabric or even a simple front pocket can give a humble T-Shirt a style lift.
Designers Take on the Gray T-Shirt
High-end designers tapped into the “basic” aesthetic. Labels such as Balenciaga, who are known for pushing the boundaries of fashion, introduced business casual T-shirts in their lines, with a twist.
Designers such as Karl Lagerfeld and Tommy Hilfiger have taken the artistic side of T-shirts to its extreme. Embellishments and elaborate designs have changed the look of the plain T-shirt for the better.
Metallics, bubble gum pinks, and oversized designs are just a few touches that designers have added to the basic T-shirt to make it stand out. Following the trend of basics, designers such as Alexander Wang, Y-3, and Thom Browne offer amazing basic T-shirts made with extraordinary materials, such as organic cotton and modal.
The Allure of Grey T-Shirts
The grey T-shirt identifies itself with the modern man. Its casual simplicity gives style to almost every wardrobe, no matter what the occasion. Its basic design has cemented itself as a wardrobe staple and will remain a classic.
A grey T-shirt is an attractive option for people who want a basic garment with a distinctive look. They’re easy to wear and comfortable, making them popular among many fashion connoisseurs.
They are often paired with tapered jeans, chino pants, or smart shorts in various lengths and styles. From a style standpoint, grey is great for simple, basic cold-weather looks such as grey T-shirt and black jeans.
A grey T-shirt fits in any situation. It can be dressy, playful and lighthearted or just casual and comfortable. A nice grey T-shirt looks great with a pair of dark jeans or a dark bottom for a night out. And to top this look off, you can add a blazer, a slim-fit shirt, or a coat and everyone will surely be impressed!
The Accessories that Go With
What accessories match the classic T-shirt? Here are a few ideas:
· Baseball caps
· Sunglasses
· Watches
· Earphones
· Bracelets
· Hoodies
· Leather jackets
· Ties
T-shirts were not considered fancy, stylish, or designer until recently. The allure and practicality of a grey T-shirt can not be understated. It is no surprise that so many choose to wear it every day of the week, including Mark Zuckerberg.
The Social Phenomenon of Wearing Grey T-Shirts
Mark Zuckerberg’s famous daily wardrobe choice has become a common trend. This inspired other entrepreneurs, people in the tech industry, and regular people to take up the challenge of wearing a grey t-shirt everyday to simplify their lives.
Multiple internet challenges were created to support this trend. Different celebrities and tech figures challenged each other to wear grey T-shirts for days, weeks, and even months.
This trend has also become popular for causes and charities. Organizations created shirts with messages and slogans on them to list their causes and raise awareness.
Mark Zuckerberg’s simple lifestyle choice has evolved from a wardrobe hack to a personal fashion statement and has spread to different marketing and promotional campaigns by companies.
The Practicality of Wearing the Same Grey T-Shirt
The wearing of a grey t-shirt every day of the week not only eliminates the decision-making process for people wearing it, but it also shows one’s commitment to personal style.
Displaying the same basic but perfect garment combined with a good sense of style and career success are some of the key aspects to building a winning persona.
It is a powerful art of self-expression that sets the trend towards wearing grey T-shirts today. People can make themselves stand out without having to break the bank.
The Concept of Modern Day Minimalism
The wearing of grey T-shirts has become an embodiment of the concept of modern day minimalism. It is the idea of having only the essentials and not having too much clutter in one’s wardrobe.
According to psychologists, minimalism not only declutters our thinking process, but it also helps in calming the mind and triggers a sense of being organized and being in control.
Minimalism is about living with the essentials to bring about clarity and purpose in life. It can open the door for insight and help discover the hidden meaning for life.
This concept of minimalism has become popular with millennials, particularly in the tech industry. It is no surprise that Mark Zuckerberg’s fashion choice follows this trend.
Apart from the Cost of the T-Shirt, What it Symbolizes is Priceless
The simple idea of wearing a plain gray T-shirt has become more than just a uniform for the tech world. It has become a powerful symbol of simplicity and minimalism.
The cost of the shirt is one thing, but what it symbolizes is something that can’t be placed on a price tag. It has become an attractive message of overcoming the anxiety of decision making.
It brings a sense of comfort and easiness into people’s minds when thinking about their daily wardrobe choice. Minimalism has become an art form of its own and the gray t-shirt has become an inspiration to many in the tech world.
