How to Dress Like Tyler Durden in Fight Club

Some may find it ironic that Brad Pitt's character, Tyler Durden, from the movie "Fight Club" has become a bit of a style icon, considering the character specifically states he's against people buying things they don't need, including such things as clothes they think look cool.

"You are not your khakis" - Tyler Durden

In the decade since Fight Club's release, the character of Tyler Durden has resonated in the American psyche, perhaps as the person we wish we could be. He doesn't care for social norms, and that extends to his wardrobe. His clothing breaks the rules but at the same time avoids being outlandish. Let's take a look at what it takes to pull off the Tyler Durden look:

The most memorable piece of clothing in Fight Club is Durden's red leather jacket. Finding the right jacket is probably the most difficult part of putting together this wardrobe. You can walk into any Wilson's Leather stores and find a red leather jacket, but chances are they don't have anything like "the Durden". It's really a leather blazer, which is a different style compared to most leather jackets you'll find. This jacket needs to look vintage, not fresh like something Carmen Sandiego would wear. The collar that flares out into a pointed lapel is not easy to find, but it really adds a nice touch. Brown is an acceptable color alternative. Having that vintage look is more important than having the color just right.

Tyler wears several shirts in this movie, but the one he is most remembered for is the vintage button-up that he wears with the collar undone and flared out along the lapel of his leather jacket. I don't think finding this exact shirt is necessary or advisable, as it was probably just plucked out of a second-hand shop and has therefore been discontinued for 35 years. It's more important to get the idea right than to mimic Tyler on every minute detail. 

You should be able to find several comparable shirts at any Salvation Army or on eBay.  

Perhaps the simplest item in Tyler Durden's wardrobe, his gray wool (presumably) Italian pants. Getting the exact style on these is not important at all. What is important is that they are gray or bluish-gray, and that they are wool and not khaki (or jeans).

Please note: these should not be dress pants. 

For a man who hates consumerism, Tyler sure does have a fancy pair of shoes. You'll be lucky if you can find a pair at any thrift shop, because they're Gucci alligator loafers. I think you can replace these with any brown loafers or even just a vintage-looking brown shoe. 

The sunglasses Tyler wears in Fight Club are among my favorites. They almost demand to be worn with vintage clothing, because they can come off as flamboyant if worn with your common club attire. They are Oliver Peoples 523 with Gothic Rose lenses. They're quite expensive, but there are some cheap rip-offs that are almost adequate. 

Tyler doesn't just wear the same outfit throughout the film. At times he is seen wearing a blue graphic t-shirt which is very form-fitting (being a good physical shape is pretty much a must if you're going to pull off the TD look). In addition, there is a fur coat he can be seen wearing when Jack figures out he and TD are the same and then again in the garage scene at the end of the movie. 

We'll start with the t-shirt: any blue graphic t-shirt with a tight fit will work, just as long as the graphics are kept somewhat flamboyant. That would exclude most of the graphic t's you'll find at Hollister, which all seem to have a graphic that's just one color and usually limited to one side of the chest. Try to find something that looks more like graffiti on a t-shirt.

The fur coat should look vintage and it's ok if it's a bit ruffled. This isn't the type of thing your lady might wear to a date at Spago, it's something an anarchist would wear to stay warm. Dark colors are a must.