Dwayne Johnson is the biggest movie star on the planet. He’s a walking enterprise. But before the billion-dollar franchises and the tequila brand, he was just a guy in a turtleneck with a fanny pack.
The image is legendary. You know the one.
It’s 1994. Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson is leaning against a banister. He’s wearing a tight black turtleneck. There’s a silver-looking chain (though everyone calls it the The Rock black shirt gold chain look) draped over the fabric. And, of course, the piece de resistance: the leather fanny pack.
Honestly, it shouldn't be as famous as it is. Most 90s fashion was a disaster. But this specific photo has transcended mere "embarrassing old picture" status to become a pillar of digital culture. It represents a specific moment in time where professional wrestling was pivoting and a future icon was just trying to look "cool" for a promotional shoot.
The anatomy of the 1994 aesthetic
The turtleneck was a choice. A bold one.
In the mid-90s, the turtleneck-and-chain combo was a staple for men who wanted to look refined but still had that "tough guy" edge. It was the uniform of R&B singers and club promoters. For Dwayne, who was then transitioning from a failed football career into the family business of wrestling, it was about branding. He wasn't "The Rock" yet; he was Rocky Maivia.
The chain is what catches the light. People argue about whether it’s silver or gold in the original, but the "gold chain" moniker stuck because it fits the persona better. It’s thin, delicate, and sits right on the collar of that ribbed black shirt.
And then there's the napkin.
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If you look closely at the original high-resolution scan, there is a tissue or a napkin tucked under his elbow. Why? Because he didn't want to get his turtleneck dirty on the banister. That’s the kind of practical diva energy that makes the photo so relatable. It’s not just a tough guy posing; it’s a guy worried about his laundry.
Why the The Rock black shirt gold chain meme refuses to die
Social media thrives on nostalgia that we can laugh at. Most celebrities try to bury their cringeworthy pasts. They scrub the internet of bad haircuts and questionable outfits.
Dwayne Johnson did the opposite.
He leaned in. He posted it on his own Instagram. He recreated it for Saturday Night Live. By owning the "The Rock black shirt gold chain" aesthetic, he took the power away from the trolls and turned it into a massive PR win.
Every Halloween, you see thousands of people—men, women, even dogs—recreating this outfit. It’s the easiest costume in the world. All you need is a black turtleneck, some mom jeans, a fake chain, and a fanny pack. It works because it’s instantly recognizable. It’s a visual shorthand for "90s awkwardness."
But there’s a layer of psychological depth here too. It shows a man who was clearly trying very hard to project a certain image. We’ve all been there. We’ve all worn something we thought was "fire" at the time, only to realize ten years later that we looked ridiculous. Seeing a guy who looks like a Greek god now admit he was once a dork in a turtleneck makes him human.
Breaking down the "Flex" culture of the 90s
We have to talk about the fanny pack for a second. In 1994, fanny packs were actually somewhat functional for athletes. They carried pagers, gym passes, and—as The Rock famously admitted—Pop-Tarts.
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The black shirt serves as the perfect canvas. If he had worn a patterned shirt, the chain would have been lost. If he’d worn a white shirt, the "tough" vibe would have vanished. The black turtleneck provides a high-contrast background that makes the gold/silver chain pop. It’s a masterclass in unintentional color theory.
What the outfit says about status
In the 90s, the "chain over the shirt" was a specific status symbol. It was inspired by hip-hop culture but filtered through a suburban lens. By 1996, this look was already starting to age poorly, but in '94, Dwayne was on the cutting edge.
- The Watch: Check the wrist. It’s a classic 90s timepiece.
- The Hair: A crisp, faded flat-top that requires a level of maintenance most people couldn't handle.
- The Lean: It’s a classic "power pose" meant to show off the physique while appearing relaxed.
It’s an exercise in contradictions. He’s huge and muscular, yet he’s wearing a soft, ribbed knit sweater. He’s a fighter, yet he’s worried about a dirty banister.
Recreations and the Kevin Hart factor
You can’t talk about this photo without mentioning Kevin Hart. The ongoing "feud" between Hart and Johnson has fueled the fire of this meme for years. When Hart showed up for Halloween dressed as the 90s Rock, it basically broke the internet.
Hart nailed the details. He got the wig, the chain, and the stance. But more importantly, he highlighted the absurdity of the size. On Dwayne, the shirt is tight because he’s a giant. On anyone else, it’s just a sweater.
This specific rivalry has kept the The Rock black shirt gold chain keyword alive in search engines long after it should have faded. It’s a recurring joke that gets refreshed every time they have a movie coming out.
How to actually pull off the look today (unironically)
Believe it or not, the 90s are back. Turtlenecks are everywhere. Gold chains are more popular than they’ve been in decades.
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If you want to wear the black shirt and gold chain look without looking like a meme, you have to change the proportions.
- Lose the fanny pack. Unless you’re at a music festival, it’s still a meme.
- Go for a mock neck instead of a full turtleneck. It’s more modern.
- The chain needs to be heavier. A thin chain over a shirt looks dated. A thicker curb chain or a Cuban link looks intentional.
- Fit is everything. If the shirt is too tight, you’re cosplaying. If it’s a slightly relaxed fit, you’re "fashion."
Lessons from the fanny pack era
There is a lot of misinformation out there about when this photo was taken. Some say it was his first day in the WWE (then WWF). That’s not true. This was during his time in the Canadian Football League and his very early days on the wrestling circuit. He wasn't a star yet. He was a guy with seven bucks in his pocket—literally the inspiration for his production company's name.
The real takeaway from the "The Rock black shirt gold chain" saga isn't just about fashion. It’s about the trajectory of a career. It’s a reminder that everyone starts somewhere. Usually, that "somewhere" involves a really bad outfit and a desire to fit in.
Next time you see that photo pop up in your feed, look past the fanny pack. Look at the guy who was trying to figure out who he was. He thought he was "The Man" in that turtleneck. And eventually, he became him.
Actionable steps for your own "Turtleneck" moment
If you’re looking to build a personal brand or just survive a potentially embarrassing social media history, take a page out of the Dwayne Johnson playbook:
- Audit your old photos. Don’t delete them. Find the ones that are "so bad they’re good" and keep them in a folder.
- Self-deprecation is a superpower. If you are the first one to laugh at yourself, no one can use your past against you.
- Invest in high-quality basics. A black shirt is a timeless staple, even if the turtleneck version goes in and out of style.
- Understand contrast. If you're wearing jewelry, make sure your outfit provides a neutral background so the piece can actually be seen.
The 90s aren't just a decade; they’re a vibe. And as long as we have the internet, we will always have The Rock, his fanny pack, and that glorious gold chain.
To really master this aesthetic or understand why it works, you have to look at the lighting. The photo wasn't taken with a smartphone; it was a professional studio shot with harsh, direct lighting. This is why the texture of the turtleneck is so visible. If you're trying to recreate this for a photoshoot, you need a single light source to hit you from the side to create those deep shadows in the ribs of the fabric. It adds "grit" to an otherwise soft outfit.
Final tip: if you’re actually going to wear a fanny pack, wear it across your chest. It’s 2026. The waist-strap is strictly for 90s legends and tourists.