UnitedHealthcare CEO murder: Sweater worn by Luigi Mangione sells out

A burgundy sweater worn by Luigi Mangione, the suspect in the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, has unexpectedly become a viral fashion sensation. Mangione, 26, made his first court appearance on Monday, where he pleaded not guilty to multiple charges, including first-degree murder and terrorism-related offences.
Yet, it wasn’t his legal predicament that captured attention, it was his outfit.
Dressed in a white-collared shirt layered under a burgundy crewneck sweater, paired with light grey slacks and orange shoes, Mangione quickly became a fashion talking point.
Initial speculation on social media suggested the sweater was a $1,000

Maison Margiela

piece, but fashion commentator Antonio Padilla debunked the claim, identifying it as Nordstrom’s “Washable Merino Crewneck Sweater,” priced at $89.50 and currently discounted to $62.65.

Social media frenzy
As reported by The Independent, fans and curious observers scoured Nordstrom’s website, where the sweater was available in multiple colours, except for the now-infamous “Burgundy Royale,” which had already sold out.
“Luigi’s Nordstrom sweater is actually sold out. Are you guys OK?” joked one user on X (formerly Twitter). Another quipped, “I saw Luigi Mangione wearing the Washable Merino Crewneck Sweater in Burgundy Royale from Nordstrom, so I bought it.”

The fascination with Mangione’s outfit echoes a cultural phenomenon where publicised criminal cases inadvertently turn the accused into pop culture figures. Comparisons were even drawn between Mangione’s attire and the sweaters famously worn by the Menendez brothers during their high-profile trial in the 1990s.
A troubling trend
As per Daily mail, this is not the first instance of Mangione’s appearance gaining public attention. Last week, social media users commented on his fresh haircut and trimmed eyebrows, dubbing him the “hot assassin.” The unsettling admiration has reportedly extended to jail, where Mangione is said to have received thousands of dollars in donations and hundreds of fan letters.
Experts have expressed concern over this fixation on the suspect’s appearance, warning against the glamorisation of individuals accused of serious crimes. While the sweater’s popularity highlights the power of social media to shape narratives, it also raises questions about society’s response to violent events.
Jacket sparked a similar buzz
This isn’t the first time Mangione’s fashion choices have gained attention. As per media reports, the jacket worn by the shooter in surveillance footage during the December 4 incident also became a viral trend.
Speculated to be a Levi’s Sherpa Lined Two Pocket Hooded Trucker Jacket, it led to a spike in sales of similar items, with over 700 jackets sold in just two days, according to Macy’s item tracker.
Reddit forums and social media were flooded with posts emulating Mangione’s look, with some holding him as a “hero” due to grievances with the healthcare industry. This bizarre response included a "shooter lookalike contest" held in Washington Square Park, highlighting the troubling intersection of crime, consumerism, and cultural fascination.
Mangione’s court appearance marked the beginning of what promises to be a high-profile trial. The Ivy League graduate is accused of fatally shooting Thompson outside the New York Hilton Midtown on December 4.