What brand would Patrick Bateman wear today?

More than thirty years later, fashion still has a soft spot for Patrick Bateman. Despite all the TV series and true crime podcasts that have come out recently, designers can't resist the charm of the most famous serial killer in cinema, perhaps the only one in the genre's history who has managed to reach such a level of epicness that transcends trends and cancel culture. Like him, after all, the 80s still represent an aesthetic to aspire to, a decade filled with pinstripe suits and thick sunglasses, controversial but nonetheless iconic characters in which the economy and the arts were booming. These are years missed even by those who never lived through them. Could this be why Luca Guadagnino, the most beloved director of Gen Z, has decided to direct a new adaptation of American Psycho? The author of the new cult films Call Me By Your Name, Bones and All, and Challengers is said to be in the final stages of negotiations for the new project, which, according to further speculation, could also involve the much-loved Jacob Elordi. As soon as the news landed on X and TikTok, it sparked a wave of discussions and gossip not only about the supposed protagonist but also about the wardrobe he would wear. For Queer and Challengers, Guadagnino had entrusted the creative direction of Jonathan Anderson; who knows if this time he will choose the suits from Bottega Veneta, of which Elordi is, by the way, an ambassador.

Whether or not Elordi's participation in the remake of American Psycho is confirmed, it must be said that Bottega Veneta would be a perfect candidate for the costumes of the contemporary Patrick Bateman. Jokes aside – at the maison's last show, guests were seated on leather bean bags shaped like animals from Noah's Ark – the brand has maintained an 80s aesthetic for years, with power suits and thick traditional coats that would perfectly suit the psychopathic yuppie role. At SS25, creative director Daniel Lee presented grey wool and cotton blazers with padded shoulders, tailored skirts and trousers, oversized red and orange suits, leather ties, high-waisted belts, and soft trench coats. Even for the handbags, Luca Guadagnino's Patrick Bateman would have plenty of choices: for the needs of an 80s Wall Street investor, there are the iconic Intrecciato Bottega briefcases, smooth black leather shoulder bags, spacious backpacks, and functional plastic bags (which are actually made of leather). If Daniel Lee's Bottega Veneta is the frontrunner for the next American Psycho wardrobe, the second place surely belongs to Saint Laurent by Anthony Vaccarello. At the brand's recent shows, the designer conveyed the same sense of eroticism and elegance that the maison's founder celebrated in the 80s, with power suits that emphasize the waistline, pencil skirts, large ties, and long heavy coats. Like Lee, Vaccarello's chosen color palettes also closely resemble the favorite hues of American Psycho’s protagonist, with blue, grey, and black reigning supreme.

Bottega Veneta SS25

Bottega Veneta SS25

Bottega Veneta SS25

Saint Laurent SS25

Saint Laurent SS25

Saint Laurent SS25

LGN Louis-Gabriel Nouchi FW23

LGN Louis-Gabriel Nouchi FW23

While Bottega Veneta and Saint Laurent represent two of the best choices for Bateman's "office" wardrobe, during his busier hours, the serial killer could draw inspiration from more ironic brands like LGN Louis-Gabriel Nouchi, who for the FW23 collection was directly inspired by the film. Exploring the theme of toxic masculinity, the French designer created outfits extremely aligned with the 80s style, with small twists: the first look featured a double-breasted coat, shirt, tie, slicked-back hair, and a big bloodstain on the face, while other full leather looks referenced the raincoat worn by Christian Bale in Mary Harron’s adaptation. Before Nouchi, even Raf Simons had drawn from Bateman's wardrobe for Calvin Klein's SS18, when he sent bloodstained raincoats and sharp black knife-shaped graphics on suits and trousers down the runway. Unlike Armani, Burberry, Zegna, and Cerruti – which appeared almost by accident in the 1991 book and the 2000 film – in recent years, many brands have taken direct inspiration from the Bateman icon, sometimes to highlight the paradoxes afflicting America, other times simply because the psychopathic look envisioned by Bret Easton Ellis retains its modernity even after so many years. If the rumors about Guadagnino's next film are true, it will be up to the Italian director to decide whether to stick to the serial killer's Wall Street aesthetic or break the mold. Certainly, a killer carrying knives and guns in a Bottega sardine would be quite a show.