Let’s be real. Nate Jacobs was never supposed to be aspirational. Between the toxic outbursts and the chillingly calculated sociopathy, he’s the last person you should look up to—but here we are, talking about his shirt.

When Jacob Elordi stepped onto the screen in the latest season of Euphoria, he was wearing what looked, at first glance, like a standard blue checked flannel. It had that quintessential “Nate” vibe: relaxed fit, worn open, understated, and seemingly effortless. But as with everything in the world of Euphoria costume design, there was a hidden layer of high-fashion madness beneath the surface.

That isn’t a flannel. It’s a piece of Bottega Veneta leather.

The $7,300 Mind Game

For their Spring/Summer 2023 collection, Bottega Veneta pulled off one of the most impressive technical feats in modern menswear. They took high-grade leather and engineered it—printing, shaving, and treating it—to look and drape exactly like a heavy cotton flannel. It was a viral runway moment that became a cultural monument once it hit Elordi’s shoulders.

It is the ultimate “if you know, you know” flex. The character is a menace, but the outfit? That is operating on a completely different level of psychological warfare. Bottega Veneta is asking $7,300 for the privilege of wearing “stealth leather.”

Now, while we’re sure you’ve got that kind of change sitting in a junk drawer somewhere, for those of us operating in the real world, that number is a hard “no.” The good news? The energy is transferable. You don’t need the leather to capture the commanding, moody silhouette of the season’s most talked-about villain.

On today’s edition of Celebrity Grades, we’re doing the legwork. We’ve tracked down three alternatives that capture that checked, quietly powerful energy. You can’t replicate the leather trick at these price points, but you can absolutely nail the look.

The Original Piece

Bottega Veneta — Checked Leather Shirt

• Price: $7,300
• The Vibe: This is a collector’s piece before it’s even a shirt. By using leather to mimic a blue-collar staple, Bottega created a garment that feels heavy, expensive, and indestructible. It hangs with a specific rigidity that cotton just can’t match. It is the pinnacle of “Quiet Luxury”—ironic, considering the loud drama of the show.

Option 1: The Luxury Alternative

Marni — Compact Cotton Shirt with Checked Pattern

• Price: $1,250
• The Draw: If you aren’t ready to let go of the luxury tier entirely, Marni offers that same structured, deliberate energy without the “Bottega Tax.”
• Why It Works: The colorway—olive, white, and dusty blue—is a grounded workwear plaid that carries the same DNA as the original. The compact cotton has a weight and crispness that makes it hang with authority. With external seams and mother-of-pearl buttons, this shirt feels labored over. It won’t be confused for the Bottega, but it certainly won’t be confused for anything cheap. It captures Nate’s imposing, boxy silhouette perfectly.
• Key Details: Made in Italy, Boxy fit, Visible external seams, Yarn-dyed check.

Option 2: The Mid-Range Sweet Spot

Wax London — Whiting Blue & Green Basket Weave Overshirt

• Price: $235
• The Draw: This is where the look gets interesting for the savvy shopper. If you look at this fabric up close, it isn’t a flat, printed plaid. It’s a fully woven basket weave with genuine depth and texture.
• Why It Works: The Whiting sits in that perfect “shacket” territory—between a shirt and a jacket—which is exactly how Elordi wears the original. The construction, featuring fabric from a family-run French mill and corozo nut buttons, gives it a “gravity” that justifies the price. At $235, this is the pick for the guy who wants people to ask, “Where did you get that?”
• Key Details: Basket weave texture, French mill fabric, Sustainable construction, Shirt-jacket hybrid.

Option 3: The Best Value

Abercrombie & Fitch — The Slub Flannel Shirt

• Price: ~~$78~~ $62.40 (On Sale)
• The Draw: Before you scroll past—hear us out. This is about the “Slub.”
• Why It Works: The slub flannel fabric has a natural, slightly irregular texture that reads as “considered” rather than mass-produced. It avoids the flat, cheap look of standard mall flannels. The palette of olive, cream, and gold is bolder, but when worn open over a black tee, it nails that unbothered, oversized aesthetic Elordi brings to the screen.
• Key Details: Slub texture, Relaxed fit, Curved hem, Budget-friendly.

Complete the Look: The Denim Foundation

A $7,000 shirt (or even a $60 one) paired with the wrong jeans is a wasted outfit. To truly capture the Nate Jacobs look, you need denim that can stand next to a premium top without flinching. For this, we turn to Jordan Craig.

The Baggy Look: The Colossal Denim (Brian Collection)

If you want the full, commanding silhouette seen on screen, the Colossal is your answer. It features a wide-leg, relaxed fit through the seat and thigh. This isn’t “sloppy” baggy; it’s “intentional” baggy. It provides the heavy visual base needed to balance out a structured overshirt.

The Slim Look: The Tsunami Relax Fit

Prefer something sharper? The Tsunami gives you a tapered fit that keeps the outfit streamlined. This works exceptionally well if you’re opting for the Marni or Wax London shirts, as the slimmer leg balances the volume of the heavier fabric up top.

Why Jordan Craig? Their jeans carry the weight and construction of premium denim. They don’t get “swallowed” by high-fashion tops. Whether you go Colossal or Tsunami, you’re getting the durability and fit that finishes the outfit rather than undermining it.

The Verdict: Three Shirts, One Look

Jacob Elordi took a $7,300 technical marvel and made it look like something he grabbed off the back of a chair on his way out the door. That is the art of style: making the expensive look effortless.

While the Bottega leather shirt is a masterpiece of engineering, it is unreachable for most. The vibe, however, is not. By focusing on texture (the Marni compact cotton, the Wax London basket weave, or the A&F slub), you can replicate that heavy, expensive drape.

Pair your choice with the right Jordan Craig denim, keep the styling simple, and wear it with the confidence of someone who doesn’t care what the price tag says.

Final Grade: A+