Some movie characters are remembered for what they say. Others are remembered for what they wear. Heath Ledger’s Patrick Verona in 10 Things I Hate About You managed to do both.
Released in 1999, the film introduced audiences to a rebellious teenager whose wardrobe captured the effortless appeal of late-’90s men’s fashion. Dark shirts, relaxed layers, understated accessories, and messy curls made Patrick Verona a style icon without ever looking like he was trying to be one.
More than 25 years later, his look still feels surprisingly relevant.
Why Everyone Is Talking About Heath Ledger Again
On October 20, 2026, Julia Stiles paid an emotional tribute to Heath Ledger on Dancing With the Stars, performing with Ezra Sosa to Frankie Valli’s “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You”—the song Ledger’s character famously sang to Kat Stratford in the 1999 film. Several original cast members joined her at the end of the performance. Rolling Stone Canada covered the reunion.
The moment brought renewed attention to the beloved romantic comedy—and another reason to revisit it: Patrick Verona’s unmistakable ’90s style.
What Defines Patrick Verona’s Style?
Patrick didn’t dress like the polished leading men of typical teenage movies. His wardrobe was darker, slightly rugged, and deliberately uncomplicated.
His signature look revolved around a few essentials:
- Dark button-down shirts, often worn open
- Simple grey and charcoal T-shirts
- Casual jackets in muted colours
- Relaxed, straight-leg trousers and jeans
- Minimal silver jewellery
- Naturally messy, medium-length hair
The result was a mixture of grunge, vintage casualwear, and rebellious masculinity. It wasn’t flashy. That was precisely the point.
5 Ways to Recreate Heath Ledger’s ’90s Outfits
1. Start With a Dark Button-Down Shirt
One of Patrick Verona’s most recognizable outfit formulas is a dark collared shirt layered over a basic T-shirt. Choose black, faded navy, charcoal, or burgundy. Leave a couple of buttons undone or wear the shirt completely open.
Avoid overly tailored fits. The shirt should feel comfortable without looking excessively oversized.
2. Keep Your T-Shirts Simple
Forget oversized logos and complicated graphics. A faded grey crewneck, a dark V-neck, or a basic white T-shirt is enough to create the foundation of a Patrick Verona-inspired outfit.
Slightly worn-in fabrics work particularly well. The goal is to look natural rather than perfectly styled.
3. Choose Straight-Leg Jeans
For a modern interpretation of Patrick’s late-’90s wardrobe, straight-leg denim is an easy choice. Look for dark indigo, washed black, or vintage blue jeans. Avoid extremely skinny cuts and exaggerated baggy silhouettes.
A simple pair of straight-leg jeans allows the rest of the outfit to speak for itself.
4. Add a Vintage-Looking Jacket
Patrick’s wardrobe includes understated outerwear, from darker casual layers to memorable blue and burgundy jackets. A vintage work jacket, lightweight bomber, or worn-in leather jacket can give the look a similar rebellious attitude.
The best choices have little or no visible branding.
5. Don’t Overdo the Accessories
A silver ring, a simple chain, or a leather bracelet is enough. Patrick’s accessories complement his clothes rather than dominate them. This is one area where restraint makes the outfit stronger.
Three Patrick Verona-Inspired Outfits to Try Today
The Everyday ’90s Look: Grey T-shirt, open black shirt, straight-leg denim, and black boots. Simple, affordable, and one of the easiest ways to capture the character’s aesthetic.
The Fall Outfit: Burgundy casual jacket, charcoal shirt, dark jeans, and worn-in leather footwear. A slightly more mature interpretation that works particularly well in autumn.
The Modern Streetwear Version: Washed black T-shirt, loose-fitting overshirt, relaxed straight-leg jeans, and vintage-inspired sneakers. This version brings the spirit of Patrick Verona into contemporary streetwear. For more ideas, see our men’s streetwear style guide.
These are modern interpretations rather than exact recreations of the film’s costumes.
How to Get Heath Ledger’s Patrick Verona Hairstyle
Of course, the clothes are only half the story. Heath Ledger’s medium-length, naturally wavy hair became one of Patrick Verona’s defining features.
To recreate the look, grow your hair to approximately chin or neck length, depending on your texture. Ask your barber for soft layers that allow natural movement without creating too much volume around the sides.
Use a small amount of lightweight styling cream or sea salt spray to enhance texture. Avoid heavy gels or products that leave your hair stiff. The secret is to embrace a little imperfection.
Why Patrick Verona’s Style Still Works in 2026
Fashion trends come and go, but certain combinations rarely disappear. Layered shirts, vintage jackets, straight-leg jeans, and simple jewellery have remained staples of men’s casual wardrobes for decades.
What made Patrick Verona memorable wasn’t expensive clothing or designer labels. It was how naturally everything worked together.
Today, when so much of fashion revolves around perfectly coordinated outfits and carefully curated social media aesthetics, his style offers something different: individuality, simplicity, and a little rebellion.
And perhaps that’s why Heath Ledger’s ’90s style still feels worth revisiting.
The best way to dress like Patrick Verona? Don’t try too hard.
Frequently Asked Questions
What style did Heath Ledger wear in 10 Things I Hate About You?
As Patrick Verona, Heath Ledger wore a mixture of late-’90s grunge-inspired casualwear, including dark collared shirts, simple T-shirts, casual jackets, and understated silver accessories.
How do you dress like Patrick Verona?
Start with a dark open button-down shirt over a grey T-shirt. Add straight-leg jeans, dark footwear, and minimal jewellery. Keep the styling relaxed.
What is Patrick Verona’s hairstyle called?
It is best described as a medium-length, layered, naturally wavy hairstyle with a loose, textured finish.
Featured photograph: Heath Ledger at the 2006 Berlin International Film Festival, photographed by Siebbi (Thore Siebrands), licensed under CC BY 3.0. No alterations. This is an archival portrait, not a still from the 1999 film.
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