He walked into the courtroom, and for a second, the heavy air of a high-profile murder trial shifted. People weren't just looking at the shackles or the heavy police presence. They were looking at the sweater. Specifically, a deep burgundy crewneck that looked way too soft for a man accused of gunning down a CEO in broad daylight.
The Luigi Mangione court outfit became an overnight obsession. It was weird. Honestly, it was surreal. You had a 26-year-old Ivy League grad, accused of the targeted killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, appearing in Manhattan Criminal Court looking like he was headed to a casual holiday dinner.
The Mystery of the Maroon Knit
Social media went into a full-blown detective frenzy the moment the first photos hit. The internet is a strange place, and within hours, "Saint Luigi" supporters and fashion nerds were arguing over the brand of his knitwear.
Initial rumors suggested it was a Maison Margiela washed lambswool sweater. That would’ve cost around $1,250. People were ready to believe it, too. It fit the "wealthy Maryland scion" narrative perfectly. But the truth was a lot more "mall-brand" than high-fashion.
It was actually a Washable Merino Crewneck Sweater from Nordstrom. The price? Just $89.50. At the time of his appearance, it was even on sale for about $62.
The "Luigi effect" was real. Within 24 hours of that December 23 court date, the burgundy version of the sweater sold out completely. Nordstrom probably didn't want the association, but the market didn't care.
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Dressing for the Jury (Even When There Isn't One)
Why wasn't he in an orange jumpsuit? That’s what most people wanted to know.
Usually, you see defendants in jail scrubs unless they’re in front of a jury. The idea is to prevent "presumption of guilt." If a jury sees you in chains and neon polyester, they’ve already decided you’re a criminal.
But Mangione’s team pushed for him to wear civilian clothes early. His lawyer, Karen Friedman Agnifilo, actually showed up in a matching crimson sweater and white collared shirt. It was a calculated move. It’s called the "Matching Principle." By wearing similar colors, the defense team creates a visual "team" identity. It makes the defendant look human, approachable, and part of a unit rather than a lone wolf in a cage.
The Shoe Controversy and the "Sprezzatura" Debate
If the sweater was the main event, the shoes were the encore. Mangione was spotted in brown leather loafers, worn without socks.
This specific detail—the bare ankles—became a meme goldmine. On subreddits like r/preppy, users dissected the "shackled loafer" look. Some identified them as Florsheims, others swore they were Rockports or even high-end Italian leather.
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Prosecutors eventually used his clothing choices against him in court filings. They revealed that a fan had actually sent him a pair of argyle socks with a hidden note of support tucked inside. Mangione reportedly looked at them and refused to wear them.
His reason? He said they "did not look good."
That one sentence tells you a lot about the headspace of the guy. Even while facing federal charges that could carry the death penalty, he was worried about the aesthetics of his footwear.
The Evolution of the Courtroom Look
His appearances haven't all been "Nordstrom chic." We’ve seen a few different versions of the Luigi Mangione court outfit over the last year:
- The Initial Extradition: When he was first brought from Pennsylvania to New York by helicopter, it was all "Marvel movie" spectacle. He was in a standard orange prison jumpsuit, surrounded by heavily armed officers and even Mayor Eric Adams.
- The "Professional" Pivot: By February 2025, the look shifted. In some sketches, he was seen wearing a green sweater over a white-collared shirt. He looked older, more tired.
- The Tactical Layer: In a Manhattan court appearance, he was wearing a bulletproof vest over his civilian clothes. His lawyer argued this was "political fodder," claiming the state was treating him like a "spectacle" by forcing the vest and heavy shackles even inside the courtroom.
- The Federal Appearance: More recently, in early 2026, he appeared in tan prison garb layered over a maroon undershirt and a cream long-sleeve shirt. The fashion statements have mostly faded as the reality of a federal trial looms.
Why the Clothes Actually Matter
This isn't just about vanity. The Luigi Mangione court outfit serves as a focal point for the massive public divide over his case.
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To his supporters—who have graffitied "Free Luigi" and "Deny, Defend, Depose" across cities—the clean, preppy look reinforces the "Robin Hood" image. He doesn't look like a "monster"; he looks like the valedictorian he once was.
To the prosecution, the fact that he's allowed to change into Nordstrom sweaters is "special treatment" that other defendants never get. They argued he was receiving privileges because of his family's wealth and the intense media spotlight.
What’s Next for the Case
As we head deeper into 2026, the focus is shifting away from what he's wearing and toward the evidence found in his backpack.
The defense is currently fighting to toss out the ghost gun and the handwritten manifesto found at the Pennsylvania McDonald’s, claiming the search was illegal. Whether he's in a $90 sweater or a tan jumpsuit, the outcome of those hearings will decide his future.
If you’re following the trial, keep an eye on whether the judge continues to allow civilian clothing for the upcoming federal hearings. The prosecution is pushing hard to keep him in standard-issue gear to strip away the "celebrity" aura he's built.
Actionable Insights for Following the Trial:
- Check the Docket: Search for New York State Supreme Court filings under the name Mangione to see the latest evidence suppression rulings.
- Watch the "Spectacle": Pay attention to the security detail during his next appearance; his legal team is using the "over-the-top" security measures to argue for a change of venue, claiming a fair trial is impossible in Manhattan.
- The Federal Factor: The U.S. District Court proceedings are separate from the state murder charges. The federal trial is where the death penalty is on the table, and the rules for courtroom attire there are significantly stricter.