This morning I spilled coffee all over my favorite oversized trench coat – the beige one that kinda makes me look like a detective in those noir films. And damn, that coat was my attempt at Gianni Michael’s signature look. So I figured hell, why not dig into why this dude’s style blows up on my feed every damn day?
How I even heard about this guy
Scrolling through TikTok last Tuesday, it felt like everyone suddenly morphed into clones wearing these massive coats, baggy trousers pooling over chunky loafers. Every third video was tagged #GianniMichaelStyle. Confession? I thought he was some new SoundCloud rapper.
My kinda pathetic research phase
Grabbed my laptop still in pajamas, crumbs from yesterday’s toast on the keyboard. Googled “Gianni Michael.” Found out he’s NOT some Gen-Z influencer, but actually this Italian stylist guy who dressed fancy people decades ago! The internet says he basically invented the “power suit” but loose and rumpled, not that stiff 80s shoulder pad nonsense. Real rich folks wearing real expensive clothes looking kinda… comfortably messy?
What I tried copying first (spoiler: disaster)
- Rummaged through my closet like a raccoon in a dumpster.
- Pulled out Dad’s old, massive navy blazer from his ‘corporate drone’ phase.
- Grabbed baggy khakis I bought for painting walls.
- Searched for 20 minutes finding only one scuffed loafer (its partner vanished in 2019).
- Threw it all on. Stood in front of the mirror.
- Result: I looked less like Italian luxury, more like I lost a fight with a laundry basket. Drowned in fabric. Major fail.
Why people love this vibe (my theory anyway)
Saw some video essay while eating cold pizza at 2 AM. It clicked. Gianni’s look screams, “Yeah I’m rich, but I’m TOO cool to care.” The wrinkles in the silk? Probably fell asleep in it after a killer party. The coat dragging on the floor? Custom, darling. Mortals like us see it as aspirational chaos. Feels achievable (baggy clothes! easy!) but totally isn’t unless you drop serious cash on specific fabrics and cuts. It’s rebellion for trust fund kids. Easy cosplay for the rest of us.
My (brief) redemption attempt
Tried hitting up thrift stores yesterday. Hunted for giant blazers. Found shoulder pads that could stop bullets. Found trousers that fit like clown pants but made my hips look like a cardboard box. Found loafers crusty enough to stand up by themselves. Bought the trousers (too cheap to resist). Got home, paired them with a simple tee. Surprisingly… decent? Comfy. Kinda slouchy-cool. The key wasn’t copying every damn detail. It was stealing the vibe – loose, easy, a little bit “I didn’t try.” Still looked miles away from the effortless Rich People Mess™ on my feed though.
Why his style owns my algorithm today
Sitting here now, coffee-stained coat balled up in the corner. It’s simple. His look gives regular people permission. Permission to wear wrinkled things. To embrace huge shapes. To chill out. In a world full of tight fits and perfect Instagram poses, his messy, big silhouettes feel like a big, comfy middle finger. That’s why everyone from celebs to college kids are draping themselves in oversized everything. It’s not really about the clothes. It’s about swaggering around like you own the place, even if the place is just your messy apartment. Looks easy. Makes you feel cool. Took spilling coffee on my favorite coat to finally get it.
