So, That's Why Steve Jobs Wore a Mock Turtleneck Every Day

Jenny Berg
Updated
Ask anyone what Steve Jobs liked to wear. The Apple co-founder was rarely seen in public without his black mock turtleneck. And, there's a fascinating story behind his decision to don the monastic Issey Miyake top every. single.day. Read more here.

Less than twenty hours after Taylor Swift posted an open letter to Apple asking the company to reconsider its unpaid music streaming trial, the Cupertino company responded on Twitter, of all places. Apple's Eddy Cue, the guy in charge of Apple's media deals, announced the company will pay artists for their music. Even during the free three-month trial of its upcoming Apple Music service. So, here's how this all played out. At its worldwide developer's conference two weeks ago, Apple unveiled Apple Music, its answer to the music streaming market. Later, we learned Apple wouldn't be paying music owners for music streamed during the free trail period. Only for streaming that occurs after a user starts paying. Early Sunday, Taylor Swift called Apple out saying, we don't ask you for free iPhones. Please don't ask us to provide you with our music for no compensation. And said she wouldn't stream her album 1989 on the service. And a mere 17 hours later, Apple through Eddy Cue responded. Re/code was able to get on the phone with Eddy Cue and gather some more information. Cue reportedly talked with Apple's CEO Tim Cook, and prompted by Swift's letter, coupled with complaints from indie labels and artists, the company moved to make the change.

Ask anyone what Steve Jobs liked to wear. The Apple co-founder is indelibly associated with his black mock turtleneck—and now, you can get in on the geeky-chic look.

According to Bloomberg Pursuits, Miyake retired the particular style Jobs wore in 2011. But, the company will drop a new, similar item dubbed the Semi-Dull T next month. The $270, cotton-poly garment is not exactly like the one you used to see at every iPhone- update announcement—but it's close. The new piece will be a bit slimmer in its silhouette and will have higher shoulders. But, we still think it will make for a pretty genius uniform.

And speaking of uniforms, there's a fascinating story behind Jobs' decision to don his monastic Issey Miyake top every. single.day. Settle in for story time!

In the early 1980's, Bloomberg Pursuits says, Jobs toured the headquarters of Sony Corp. in Japan. While there, he noticed that all its employees—ranging from the big boss to factory workers—wore the same, blue-and-white work jackets.

RELATED: Steve Jobs Famous Black Turtleneck is Up For Auction

Sony had had its dress code in place since its founding in 1946. Then a war-torn country, Japan was facing a financial crisis and most of its residents didn't have the means for polished wardrobes. So, the uniform was meant to give employees a professional appearance and help them bond as a team. At the time Jobs visited Sony, it had arranged for Miyake to design a new uniform.

RELATED: Everything You Need to Know About #Normcore

Inspired, Jobs asked Miyake to design a prototype vest for all Apple employees to wear. But when the tycoon presented the idea back in the Valley, well, he got booed off stage. That didn't mean, however, that Jobs himself couldn't follow his bliss. He ended up commissioning 100 black turtlenecks from Miyake, and paired them with his Levi's jeans and New Balance sneakers on the daily. All hail the OG #normcore.