When former presidential candidate Bernie Sanders arrived at the presidential inauguration Wednesday morning, his hands looked particularly cozy, thanks to one Vermont native.
Jen Ellis, a teacher from Essex Junction, Vt., whipped up Sanders’ brown mittens two years ago, and the senator put them to use during his adventures on the 2020 presidential campaign trail, according to Buzzfeed reporter Ruby Cramer. The mittens, knitted in gray and dark brown, presumably kept the longtime Vermont senator warm at the masked outdoor swearing-in ceremony. (Fun fact: the accessory also has its own Twitter account, @berniesmittens.)
Ellis “was surprised when he began wearing them on the campaign trail,” Cramer wrote in a tweet. “They are made from repurposed wool sweaters and lined with fleece made from recycled plastic bottles.”
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Ellis first knit the oversized “oven gloves” for staff at her daughter’s daycare, including Sanders’ daughter-in-law, Liza Driscoll, according to a January 2020 story in Vermont’s Seven Days. As a bonus, she made a pair for Bernie.
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
Early last year, the comfortable accessory quickly became a noticeable fashion choice on the trail for a senator who usually keeps his look low-key.
Some Twitter users also speculated Sanders’s inauguration look included the same coat he sports in a popular meme format.
a person only needs one good coat https://t.co/TYtoS0Hb8h
— Brandy Jensen (@BrandyLJensen) January 20, 2021
Photos and memes celebrating Sanders’ fashion statement continued to circulate social media throughout the day, lauding the Vermont Senator’s expression and casual demeanor.
“This could’ve been an email” pic.twitter.com/kn68z6eDhY
— Ashley K. (@AshleyKSmalls) January 20, 2021
Bernie dressed like the inauguration is on his to do list today but ain’t his whole day. pic.twitter.com/wCRyoxU3V2
— Reeezy (@MsReeezy) January 20, 2021
With Lady Gaga and JLo around, I wasn’t sure who would have the most stylish outfit this morning, but Senator @BernieSanders in the iconic “I am once again asking meme” coat wins. #Inauguration2021 pic.twitter.com/9x6OTaeHEz
— Adham Sahloul (@AdhamSahloul) January 20, 2021
Bernie looks fully prepared to leave this event early to mail his taxes and cash a cashier's check pic.twitter.com/mKJHshDs5T
— The Internet's Grey Johnson (@BoxrecGrey) January 20, 2021
Bernie looks like he's going to the bank to deposit his Social Security Check. pic.twitter.com/7uzdWqodT6
— To Be Openly Black is a Revolutionary Act (@RealKHiveQueenB) January 20, 2021
Many took it upon themselves to edit one especially popular image of Sanders into various backgrounds.
actual photos of bernie sanders and tom hanks tonight at the inauguration night celebration pic.twitter.com/J1QtMWkCWX
— Tori :) (@dottie_tori) January 21, 2021
Already seen shitty edits of Bernie Sanders sitting on the Iron Throne. I'm here to rectify that. Too easy? pic.twitter.com/xiHyCku3jp
— Spooty: Lockdown Edition (@spooters) January 21, 2021
One more in the Bernie meme game #BernieSanders pic.twitter.com/nQ2GBcP6Y0
— First Amendment Merch (@first_merch) January 20, 2021
did we do this right?! #BernieSanders #berniesmittens @tyrabanks this looks like a a great panel pic.twitter.com/uuOo3RGwMc
— You Wanna Be On Top? Podcast (@YWBOTpod) January 21, 2021
#BernieSanders was always my favorite cast member. pic.twitter.com/3vh3J66qDt
— Daniel Conder (@ThisOldNerd) January 21, 2021
Here are some of my favourite #BernieSanders Inauguration Memes #berniesmittens #BernieSandersMittens #Bernie pic.twitter.com/oibr5mi3Qb
— James Hutchcraft (@JLFHutchcraft) January 20, 2021
okay last one i swear. #BernieSanders pic.twitter.com/oKrm7bTOeg
— Caitlin (@c_aitli_nx) January 21, 2021
Bird Box? Bernie Box! #BernieSanders #berniesmittens #BernieSandersMittens #InaugurationDay #InaugurationDay2021 pic.twitter.com/jeHeVHLABL
— Alex Ryan (@Notorious_ARC_) January 21, 2021
No idea who did this but this was my favorite with the skyscraper one pic.twitter.com/lZRBbVU383
— Justin S (@JSPittMET12) January 21, 2021
This made me laugh. #startrek #BernieSanders #makeitsnow pic.twitter.com/wMCW17vRrG
— John Kaprielian (@JohnKaprielian) January 21, 2021
Diti Kohli can be reached at diti.kohli@globe.com. Follow her on Twitter at @ditikohli_.
Brittany Bowker contributed to this report.