Bernie could have worn to the inauguration the same black coat

[pnwmom]

he'd worn in 2016 to vote for himself.

But he made another fashion choice.

Link to tweet

/photo/1

[JI7]

1. People are doing to him what was done to Kellyanne Conway in her ugly outfit

during Trump's inauguration with turning her into a meme.

It's even uglier and cheaper looking than I remember.

[Irish_Dem]

3. I forgot how bad this outfit was. Good God, what was she thinking?

[madaboutharry]

5. She is a predictably awful dresser.

Her taste in clothes is usually terrible to the point you notice how bad she looks in what she’s wearing.

From what I recall, that awful “I am so patriotic” coat she wore to Trump’s inauguration was Chanel and cost over $3000, close in price to the Chanel hexagon kaftan ($3750) Melania wore off the plane the other day. Go figure.

[Irish_Dem]

48. I thought Melania's $4K mumu was Gucci.

KellyAnne's ugly coat was Chanel? Good God.

I just do not understand how people can spend so much for designer clothing and end up looking so bad.

[Cha]

46. Woody Woodpecker?

[IcyPeas]

102. someone referred to her as a nutcracker

[mtnsnake]

28. It looks like Kellyanne is wearing Bernie's legs in that photo. nt

[TheBlackAdder]

56. Kellyanne, can I have my flower pot back? The one you took off my porch.

[MustLoveBeagles]

58. Bernie looked fine

I don't have an issue with what he wore. KellyAnne, one the other hand, looked awful. Did she got fashion advice from Melania?

[Liberty Belle]

2. Given the snowfall, maybe he just wore his warmest coat.

Or perhaps the other was worn out. Why does it matter?

[pnwmom]

7. Millions of women were wearing pearls out of respect to Kamala Harris and Joe Biden.

Sometimes clothes send a message.

[questionseverything]

14. Only the ones that could afford pearls

Lot of difference in the weather from November until January

Fashion isn’t high on Bernie’s list or mine

My poor beloved mother never came close to being able to afford real pearls.....it’s cool for those of you that do but it doesn’t make you better than her

[Demsrule86]

21. It is a matter of respect for the occasion...my Mother taught me that.

[NurseJackie]

27. That's the word! Respect.

Thank you.

[Autumn]

90. Millions of women can not fucking afford pearls and clothing by Sergio Hudson and Ralph Lauren.

You are 100% correct. Sometimes clothes send a message.

[StarfishSaver]

62. It wasn't snowing and it wasn't all that cold. And the platform was heated

[NurseJackie]

95. I think the former Democratic primary contenders have an obligation to put their best foot forward...

I think the former Democratic primary contenders have an obligation to put their best foot forward and make an effort. It doesn't need to be high-fashion, but it should be something that shows more effort and respect. This was a rather perfunctory effort, and I can imagine my husband wearing something like this to shovel the walkway.

These are fair and valid observations. I think the memes that gently prod and poke-fun are hysterical. Even Bernie agrees.

[Denzil_DC]

113. LEAVE ELIZABETH WARREN ALONE!!!

[NurseJackie]

114. She looks fantastic! She made an effort!

That looks great on her!

[Denzil_DC]

115. PffffftLOL n/t

[NurseJackie]

116. She cares and it shows...

... I like her. She's got class and style. That color looks good on her. I wonder if she coordinated the color choice with someone else. Purple ruled the day!

[Denzil_DC]

121. "I like her."

That's the soup to nuts of it. The rest is just flannel.

She looks like she's getting ready to take a dog for a walk in her everyday puffa jacket, her scarf is frayed, and her hair is tousled. Not a string of pearls in sight.

She equally looks like she's getting ready to sit through an outdoor inauguration in DC in January. If she was warm and comfortable -and there - that's all that should matter.

I don't buy all that self-serving guff about "making an effort" and "respect" anyway, but let's not insult anyone's intelligence by pretending Sanders wearing a quality, and not cheap, outdoor coat (a gift from his son, no less) and mittens, which many people are now so taken with that supplies have run out, is the source of your grievances.

[NurseJackie]

123. LOL

[Irish_Dem]

4. The black more tailored jacket would have looked better, yes.

Black leather gloves, scarf, maybe a nice hat.
He would have looked great.
Of course we would have missed out on a lot of fun.

[Marie Marie]

34. I think it was cool that he wore those mittens that were made by and gifted to him by a

teacher. Probably one of his constituents.

[Irish_Dem]

36. I think so too. Yes I thought the same thing, one of his constituents.

Pretty cool.

[Mad cow]

6. If I were sitting outside in the cold...

I'd dress like him too. Your picture is taken inside, so I'm not sure it represents the hypocrisy/political statement you seem to be alluding to.

[pnwmom]

10. That picture was taken in chilly Vermont in November, and he had to wear that same coat outside.

He's also pictured wearing it in the winter in New York.

All those women were warm enough wearing wool coats. He could have worn his and fit right in.

[SMC22307]

13. He "fit right in" just fine. Obsessing over outerwear is up there with obsessing over Biden's Rolex.

In the big scheme of things, it's superficial and just doesn't matter.

[pnwmom]

19. He didn't fit in. The whole reason he's a meme is he stuck out like a sore thumb,

and detracted from the seriousness of the occasion.

[Denzil_DC]

24. Nonsense. Look at the pic I just posted below.

If he "didn't fit in" that day, he wasn't alone.

[pnwmom]

126. How many Senators wore silly mittens like his?

[Denzil_DC]

127. If you think I'm going to while away what's left of my internet allowance today

debating with you the pros and cons of somebody wearing a pair of freaking MITTENS given what else is going on in the world at the moment, I'm afraid you have another think coming.

[pnwmom]

128. And yet you took the time to write all that! n/t

[Denzil_DC]

129. I spared (wasted?) 30 seconds, yes.

And there go another 10.

[SMC22307]

96. ...

Are you bent out of shape over Kamala's nephew-in-law wearing tennis shoes to the serious occasion? I mean, Bernie's *just* a Senator, but he is FAMILY!

The meme isn't mean-spirited. It's people having good fun. Well, most people... the rest of us know what drives the Bernie hate.

[Mad cow]

17. He's not sitting outside for an extended time

In your picture. Who cares what coat he wore in New York or in Vermont in November? As someone who has never, nor will ever, wear a tailored wool coat...the whole thing is very superficial and classist. The world is a mess and there is much work to be done. Micromanaging Bernie's style choices shouldn't rank high on the list.

[pnwmom]

18. As a millionaire, he could have worn a coat that was both warm and fit the seriousness of

the occasion. And he could have found some dark gloves.

[Mad cow]

29. If you want to be the wardrobe police...

Knock yourself out. As for me...he was dressed just fine. Kind of like Kamala's Chucks on the campaign trail...that's the kind of thing that truly endears someone to me.

[Denzil_DC]

32. Sooo many sartorial sins in the pic below:

ITEM: Woman at top left wearing a puffa jacket
ITEM: Woman at bottom left wearing white sneakers to go with her white jeans and coat
ITEM: Man at bottom right wearing a beanie hat
ITEM: Young boy next to him wearing a puffa jacket
ITEM: Bernie wearing a practical outdoor coat
ITEM: Man to his right wearing almost the same style of coat
ITEM: Woman sitting next to that man wearing a similar coat in navy blue

But Bernie's the one that "doesn't fit in".

[Withywindle]

39. He looks about the same level of dressed-up as everyone around him

Which is fine. This is not in the Top 500 of things I'm stressed about right now.

[Denzil_DC]

44. I don't think it's stressing anyone who doesn't lack some sort of sense of proportion

I can see the main focuses of the day going to some effort to look smart within the limits of outdoor clothing.

The Obamas looked pretty snappy, but then they usually do. Kamala Harris turned some heads (and also had her own spin-off memes), as did Jill Biden. I couldn't really tell you what Joe Biden and Doug Emhoff were wearing, but I get the sense it was sober and practical. I can tell you what Amanda Gorman was wearing because yellow wasn't a common colour that day. Some might say unkindly she was seeking the limelight with that and her hairdo, whereas others of us would say she was dressed appropriately for a key performance. As for Lady Gaga, with pipes like hers she could have come out in sackcloth if she wanted.

As somebody pointed out earlier, Elizabeth Warren wore a puffa jacket and woolly scarf and looked like she might plan to do some shopping or walk a dog later. I don't think she expected to be a major focus and I'll bet she didn't want to freeze. Same goes for Bernie.

[Withywindle]

45. I think it's on a different level if you or your spouse is being inaugurated

Or if you're a former President or First Lady. Or if you're playing a role in the ceremony as a performer or an official or an emcee.

If you're just there to witness, as a member of Congress or a guest whatever, you don't have to put on the ritz as much. You're an audience member. You're not the one people are looking at.

[Denzil_DC]

47. Absolutely.

There's something to be said about not expecting, or wishing, to be in the limelight.

Then WHOOOM you're in the limelight anyway because you happened to wear some snazzy mittens and looked chilly ...

[Withywindle]

65. Maybe Lady Gaga should have loaned Bernie the meat dress

Though it would be pretty ripe by now...

[Bettie]

104. If he had dressed more formally

the same people who are angry about the mittens would be saying he was trying to draw attention away from Biden and to himself by wearing fancy clothes.

Fact it, it is just a manufactured reason to be outraged about nothing.

[SMC22307]

99. White shoes after Labor Day... the horror! (n/t)

[Dorian Gray]

118. He could have

but who cares?

[Dorian Gray]

117. Who cares?

He dressed casually. He's Bernie Sanders. Janet Yellen dressed much the same way. They're who they are, and dressed in a way that was comfortable for them.

I know "dress for the occasion" is a thing, but I think it's classless to make someone feel bad for not living up to your dress expectations. I mean, Obama was ridiculed for his tan suit bc it didn't show dignity for the office. It's all relative. And stupid.

[BainsBane]

94. I'd wear a hat nt

[peacebuzzard]

8. I don't do well in cold weather either

so whatever keeps you warm. I thought he looked just fine, and was glad to see him.

[Drum]

9. He's an Independent, and one from a wintry state...why not let it go?

[ornotna]

11. The Bernie obsession here is amazing

It's like watching someone pick at a scab.

[roamer65]

26. ..

[Celerity]

40. +1000

[leftstreet]

55. +1

[DLevine]

66. Yup. nt

[DeminPennswoods]

70. +2

[dsc]

12. Honestly a woman would have been crucified for a similar fashion choice

I don't think it is unfair to point that out.

[questionseverything]

15. Which would be just as foolish and sexist

Is our big problem really the lack of a dress code now?

[MagickMuffin]

16. No one is bother by Sen. Elizabeth Warren's coat

which was a purple puffer coat.

[Hassin Bin Sober]

25. OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG!

A PUFFER COAT! AT AN INAUGURATION!

GAME OVER MAN, GAME OVER!

[Mariana]

49. ...

[Violet_Crumble]

54. Some people are so dense. Below a certain temperature we must dress for comfort...

And I'm guessing it was ball-bitingly cold in Washington DC. I've only encountered extreme cold once in my life when I was in Budapest and the multiple layers of Katmandu thermals didn't stop the wind from getting through, but Bernie's coat and mittens made me feel a bit warm, and if it kept him warm, then more power to him.

Bernie is awesome and he and AOC would be a welcome addition to either the ALP or Greens here in Australia...

btw, great to see you again, HBS!!

[Hassin Bin Sober]

63. Hi!

[Celerity]

67. they are not dense, they know exactly what they are doing

an aside, have you tried this yet?

[R B Garr]

76. Ooh, that's quite an admission.

I’ll have to remember that when days-old threads get kicked for “exposure.”

[tblue37]

105. +1. nt

[Autumn]

109. Janet Yellen was there, I've seen nobody crucifying her for her fashion choice.

[dsc]

119. I am honestly pleasantly surprised that women didn't get dogged

maybe society is growing up. While I think Warren's was a bit dressier than Sanders (if only due to the gloves), Yellen's was equal and she didn't get dogged. I just had figured that the women had largely worn dressier coats similar to what Clinton, Biden, and Obama wore. I am glad I was apparently wrong on this.

[Turin_C3PO]

20. This is on par

with statements about Obama's tan suit or Biden's Rolex watch. It's just clothes. I won't wear fancy clothes unless there's an actual dress code. This is a non issue.

[Denzil_DC]

22. Can anybody identify the guy to the right of Bernie wearing an almost identical coat?

Anybody want to start an OP about him, too?

It was an inauguration, FFS, not a fashion parade.

He was there for an important occasion. Sitting patiently waiting aged 79 in freezing conditions while he tried to keep warm, his very attendance should be applauded.

The photographer who took the pic has said he hesitated to publish it because it was a snapshot of a fleeting moment, and the next shot was quite different.

Hats off to Bernie for turning the ensuing publicity to positive purpose.

[choie]

38. oh my god..and the girl in front is wearing sneakers!

heaven to murgatroyd!

[Mariana]

50. Clearly, out of that entire group, only Bernie is wrong.

I mean, isn't it obvious that he dressed like most of the other attendees just to be disrespectful to Biden?



Gawd some people on this site are ridiculous.

[DemocraticPatriot]

103. Some people STILL have not gotten over Bernie having had the audacity

to run for President in 2016. THAT is what this thread is really all about.

[Sogo]

53. Speaking of "hats off," if someone was really trying to "keep warm,"

they would have had a hat on or their hood pulled up.

I wouldn't criticize anyone for trying to stay warm. But do it right; cover your head!

The only ones who had to be concerned about their appearance were the ones who were in the range of the broadcast cameras at the center of the action, as well as the performers.....

[Denzil_DC]

57. Oh God, if he'd been wearing a beanie as well, we'd never hear the end of it!

But you're correct. I feel especially chilly looking at the kid in the photo with the short haircut and his ears exposed. He's not 79, though.

OTOH, Bernie's one of only four in that pic with the good sense to wear gloves or mittens. I hope he was also rocking long johns. I would have.

[GulfCoast66]

23. Some here know I've not been a fan of his.

But I thought he looked great and he is doing a good job of playing along. He’s old and it was cold. Loved his look

More importantly, I’m glad to see him finally get and take up a committee chair in which he can make a difference.

A perfect position to push more progressive policies but also having to weigh all opinions to get things done.

I hope he does well.

[mtnsnake]

30. Bernie is without a doubt one of the coolest politicians around.

No wonder he's such a chick magnet.

[Happy Hoosier]

31. Meh.. did a look a little too casual for the event?

Mebbe, but he pretty much always look like he’s slept in his clothes and hasn’t combed his hair in a week. So what.

And the memes are golden.

[CentralMass]

33. Add me to the list who thinks that Bernie was fine and not out of place or being disrespectfully.

I think that your bias is showing.

[Violet_Crumble]

43. Bernie's mittens stole the show...

I half expect that a thread will appear at some point totally missing the point of Twitter memes and the joy and relief that came with the memes of Bernie at Yalta and a whole host of other locations, and claim that Bernie's mittens didn't steal the show

[CentralMass]

61. +1

[MacKasey]

35. This is not bothering Bernie,

He is selling t shirts with the picture on them on his web page

All proceeds go to the Vermont food shelf

[MustLoveBeagles]

59. Good for Bernie

He's been a good sport about the whole thing.

[choie]

37. would you lay off Bernie, for chrissake...

over clothing? really?

[Celerity]

52. +1000

[area51]

84. +1

The Bernie hate on this site never ceases to amaze me. Hell, he's only been fighting to get Americans health care for quite a while.

[edhopper]

41. People are just having fun

and Bernie is laughing along with us.

[hlthe2b]

81. The memes are fun. This is thread on the other hand...

[edhopper]

87. Yeah

[jcgoldie]

42. Who gives a fuck what Bernie wore the inauguration?

Petty bullshit for 800 Alex!

[Celerity]

51. +1000

[EndlessWire]

60. Bernie is showing up

everywhere! He showed up on the Instagram feed I follow this morning. He visited KD Lang and the Home Free guys, and I am now looking carefully at everything. Stealth Bernie is fun.

[BusyBeingBest]

64. Pushing 80, had a heart attack, circulation probably isn't the best--

probably extra-sensitive to cold, as a lot of elderly are. Also did not have a role in the event other than spectator in a crowd of others dressed similiarly--not like he was on stage giving a speech, or having to be front and center for the cameras. I think that might be fellow Senator James Inhofe of OK seated nearby in cowboy boots and a similar jacket. I don't know why the coat is an issue.

[LeftInTX]

68. This is a first world problem!

[tonedevil]

69. Are you really this petty?

[NurseJackie]

78. Nobody is being "petty".

[tonedevil]

92. LOL. /nt

[SMC22307]

97. LOL (n/t)

[Celerity]

85. +1

[Hassin Bin Sober]

89. Yes

[pansypoo53219]

71. he wanted to be warmer.

[Roisin Ni Fiachra]

72. Conservatives peed themselves when Jimi Hendrix played the Star Spangled Banner

in a way they thought was not proper, according to their worldview. Said it was disrespectful. I thought it was beautiful.

In the face of a deadly pandemic and a nation all but destroyed by Trump, the last thing I could find to get upset about are Bernie's mittens. Actually, the lighthearted fun is a nice break from all the RW hate we have to deal with every day.

[betsuni]

73. Wedding, funeral, inauguration, any formal occasion -- wear a nice coat longer than your jacket.

Unless you don't have one. Bernie does.

[NurseJackie]

77. I think it was disrespectful to Joe Biden and Kamala Harris.

I've read others describing it as an intentional snub, but I'm not sure if I'd go that far. I do, however, think that it was inappropriate for the event.

[Denzil_DC]

86. How many of the others attending were "disrespectful" and "inappropriate"?

Elizabeth Warren, dressed for the occasion and the elements


A section of the audience being "disrespectful" and "inappropriate"

It's touching to see so much concern of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris's feelings, though. They show every sign of being mortified.

[NurseJackie]

88. They have very good skills at being diplomatic...

They show every sign of being mortified.

They have very good skills at being diplomatic... open displays of being "mortified" aren't necessary, but I'm sure they know who made an effort, and who didn't.

[Denzil_DC]

91. "open displays of being "mortified" aren't necessary, but I'm sure they know who made an effort"

Where's those emoticons?

Oh, yeah.



Just give it up. You're totally transparent in this thread. Almost like a projector slide.

[Mariana]

120. None of them. Only Bernie was disrespectful.

I mean, isn't it obvious that Bernie, and only Bernie, set out to disrespect President Biden and VP Harris, by dressing just like those other attendees?

[Denzil_DC]

122. They almost look like they organized it beforehand, to make it look all the worse. n/t

[betsuni]

124. Warren's Planned Parenthood scarf and blue face mask are great, but that jacket makes her

look like she's going skiing. The scarf should be the focus and would look better if she wore a wool coat. Same with Bernie, the mittens would've looked better with a dark coat; a longer coat would be warmer as well.

Amy Klobuchar wore what appears to be the same coat she wore at the 2017 inauguration and I loved that. Midwestern thrift. I loved the colors Michelle wore but the pants reminded me of flannel pajamas so I didn't care for them.

[Denzil_DC]

125. I'm really not bothered.

Warren was dressed appropriately for someone about to spend some time sitting outdoors in DC in January.

Same goes for Sanders and all those dressed very similarly to him (and there were many). He just happened be sitting alone because of social disancing and got focused on by one photographer (who said afterwards he initially felt bad for taking that snapshot as it wasn't representative and the pose had changed by the next moment).

As a result, Sanders has had the chance to show a flattering human face and sense of humour in subsequent interviews and a bunch of people will get fed who might otherwise have gone hungry, which he also got to explain. Win-win.

[DemocraticPatriot]

74. This is just more of the same old "Not good enough, Bernie--

Not NEARLY good enough!"

It's on a par with talk about Biden's watch.

Personally, I don't give a damn what ANYONE wore to the Inauguration. We have a lot of more important things about which to worry.

[hlthe2b]

79. Bernie was being Bernie. Was he "traditionally fashionable?" No. but he was still appropriately

dressed IMHO. He's older and it gets cold sitting still. It isn't just a Vermont thing. You'll see people throughout Colorado and the west dressing practically against the cold (and no one thinks a thing about it). And, I am among those who would be proudly non-fashionable if needed to remain comfortable (and safe, healthwise).

Had it been the late Ruth Bader Ginsburg, I would have been praying someone put a big puffy coat on her if necessary --or many many layers of wool on her and encourage her to wear warm pants, a hat, and the warmest gloves or mittens--whatever made her feel the warmest. Fashion be damned.

I have not been in Bernie's camp for most things, but here, if he wanted to be disrespectful, he'd not have come at all.


As one who grew up in the cold snowy midwest/west at a time when little girls were REQUIRED to wear dresses to school (must be fashionable to the societal norms, after all) in the most horrific conditions, I have a bone to pick on this stupidity. Sorry, folks. Be fashionable if you wish, but in adverse climate conditions, be tolerant of other's need/desire to be practical or keep it to yourself.

[Humanist_Activist]

80. Jesus Fucking Christ, what the fuck is up with Bernie obsession? n/t

[BluesRunTheGame]

82. Maybe the black coat is in a closet in Vermont.

He probably doesn’t all of his stuff back and forth every week. Just a thought!

[aidbo]

83. I think he should smile more. He's so pretty when he smiles.

[Arazi]

93. Bernie raising money for food pantries with this. Pretty damn great

On every level

[SMC22307]

101. Thank you. One charity being Meals on Wheels to feed low-income seniors.

Have his DU critics praised him for that? So unbelievably petty.

[Alex4Martinez]

98. . . . . . . . . . Could have been worse, it could have been a TAN SUIT!!!11!!1!!

[karynnj]

100. How petty! What is your source that Bernie voted for himself in November 2016?

Second, the coat he wore to the inauguration was likely both warmer and nicer than the coat that he wore in Burlington. Not to mention, the Miller Center where his part of town votes is actually heated and has ample parking. Because of covid, the people watching the inauguration were spread out over a very large area. Only the area around the Bidens, Harris family, the former Presidents etc was heated.

[betsuni]

106. That was the primary election. Article quotes Bernie: "I will tell you after a lot of thought,

I voted for me for president."

[karynnj]

107. The op's post 10 said it was NOVEMBER in chilly Vermont

When she was arguing it was warm enough. It likely was not.

[betsuni]

108. That's incorrect then. It was 12 degrees when that photo was taken.

If it was warm enough for 12 degrees in Vermont, it was warm enough for the inauguration. I think Bernie looks cold in that rather short jacket he wore.

[karynnj]

110. The photo was inside the Miller Center, which was heated

He likely was outside for less than 5 minutes. Were you upset Warren wore asking jacket too?

[betsuni]

112. Warren looked like she was going skiing. Not a good look.

But her Planned Parenthood scarf and blue face mask looked great though.

"upset"

[Hermit-The-Prog]

111. Kamala Harris could have corrected Justice Sotomayor

Note Justice Sotomayor mispronounced Kamala. In other video, you can see VP Harris smile a little bigger as that mispronunciation happens.

Would you feel better or worse about Joe Biden if he were to complain about Bernie's mittens?

If I had been invited, I would have been wearing blue jeans, long johns and insulated work shoes that my wife gave me, the heavy windbreaking waterproof "CAT(tm)" coat my daughter gave me, and the Cabellas insulated "boggin" (aka watch cap) hat with insulated gloves that my son gave me. That assumes I wouldn't be invited to speak in front of cameras, of course.

My guess about our President Biden is that he would have been more likely to notice someone shivering in inadequate clothing, and would offer to help, rather than being concerned about the fashion. I feel the same way about Dr. Biden. I can't prove either impression, of course.

[Vivienne235729]

130. Perhaps this black coat isn't warm enough for him? Looks nice but

I would go w a warm coat anyday. This is silly to be going on about his coat choice. The man is old and he wants to stay warm. Surprise, surprise. I don’t even know why we are talking about this when there’s so many fascist republicans we could be bitching about instead.