The Brief: Bernie Sanders' 2021 inauguration outfit instantly became a meme as the internet fawned over his coat, mittens, and overall "bundled up Vermont dad" look.
DEEP DIVE
Bernie Sanders’ inauguration outfit memes crown him as a schlubby style icon, noting how his clothing choices and overall appearance at the 2021 presidential inauguration convey a range of relatable moods.
The Biden/Harris inauguration featured many stunning outfits from Michelle Obama to Dr. Jill Biden to Vice President Kamala Harris. One unexpected standout from the event was Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders’ look which included a blue surgical face mask, warm winter jacket, and wool mittens. Once the internet caught a glimpse of Bernie’s fit, it instantly became a meme with people relating to his cozy fashion choices, seating position, and overall vibes.
bernie absolutely crushing vermont dadcore pic.twitter.com/fWp4dX5Xe2
— rebecca jennings (@rebexxxxa) January 20, 2021
Many people noticed that Bernie’s jacket is the same one he wore in another widely memeified photo, the “I am once again asking for financial support” look.
— jodie (@jodieegrace) January 20, 2021
Sanders’ mittens also received much attention. According to style analysts, they were a gift from a teacher in Vermont.
Bernie’s mittens are made by Jen Ellis, a teacher from Essex Junction, Vt. She gave them to him 2+ years ago and was surprised when he began wearing them on the campaign trail. They are made from repurposed wool sweaters and lined with fleece made from recycled plastic bottles. pic.twitter.com/ErLr29lY2t
— Ruby Cramer (@rubycramer) January 20, 2021
— paul (@dearapriII) January 20, 2021
In addition to the pieces that made up Bernie’s outfit, many people were taken with the pose he was pictured in: arms and legs crossed and slouching in his socially-distant seat.
In Jewish yoga this pose is: waiting for my wife at Loehmann's pic.twitter.com/Qik7wsZ0ad
— Chandra Steele (@ChanSteele) January 20, 2021
Me. At 4p for my 10a hair appointment. pic.twitter.com/DHFpMXUTDH
— RadhaMUSprime aka Radha Blank (@RadhaMUSprime) January 20, 2021
when joe biden asks me to seek unity with fascists pic.twitter.com/WhPU4z3QQB
— molly conger (@socialistdogmom) January 20, 2021
When your whole family go out to dinner and everybody start looking at you when the check come pic.twitter.com/Fr8Dal92PR
— chris evans (@notcapnamerica) January 20, 2021
“This could have been an email” pic.twitter.com/1nRtxO4eiq
— stim duncan (@SouthpawSwade) January 20, 2021
me right now: I can't wait to see my friends again once there's a vaccine
me at any party in 2022: pic.twitter.com/MKUL86w5VH— PJ Vogt (@PJVogt) January 20, 2021
Images of Bernie holding a manilla envelope gave off the air that he was running errands like going to the post office or ensuring that Americans get COVID relief checks.
deposit a check? with my phone camera???? nah we going to the branch https://t.co/231hFWduwN
— Rembert Browne (@rembert) January 20, 2021
He said some of us have a JOB https://t.co/Jd162baBbU
— 21 Lakyn (@OgLakyn) January 20, 2021
Inauguration, post office, Home Depot if there's time.
— Colleen🍀🌮 (@TheLeftTea) January 20, 2021
A shot of Bernie on his phone, presumably to take a photo, inspired memes about him watching videos during the inauguration.
— patrick (@redford) January 20, 2021
People also got creative with Photoshop to add Bernie into various funny situations.
— Raid 🛸 (@lolraid) January 20, 2021
SCREAMING pic.twitter.com/5DNqWSN1iq
— Simone Weil OnlyFans (@unhinged_adult) January 20, 2021
NYC Instagram is so quick pic.twitter.com/Br6TarGXXb
— Rania Said (@rania_tn) January 20, 2021