On Wednesday, as the country prepared to watch the historic inauguration of Joseph R. Biden and Kamala Harris, an older gentleman quietly took his seat at the event. He was dressed in his “errands puffer” and handmade mittens from his home state. Under his arm, he carried what appeared to be his mail (but was more likely event programming info). And the look on his face read as slightly miffed (though I am fairly certain this is just his permanent expression).
He sat down, leaned back, crossed his legs, and a photo was snapped. That single image of Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT), for better or worse, stole the freaking show.
Of course, Michelle Obama’s deep purple pants suit was powerful and stunning.
Yes, Kamala Harris’ long purple blazer-style coat with the buttons right over left made a clear statement.
Certainly, Dr. Jill Biden looked impeccable in her ocean blue ensemble.
Absolutely, Inaugural Poet Laureate, Amanda Gorman shone like the sun.
And all of the Biden and Harris/Emhoff kids and grandkids put their personal style on display – Maisy’s sneakers, Meena’s daughter’s coats, Ella Emhoff’s coat, and Ashley’s tux (just to name a few).
But it was Bernie’s mittens that were the true show stopper.
And the memes his look inspired have been EPIC.
So many memes! So many memes, in fact, that an entire parody video has been created to the tune of “These Are a Few of my Favorite Things” (aka memes) by the Holderness family.
I do wonder if the Holderness family chose the song intentionally as a nod to the Von Trapp/Vermont connection. It almost seems… too perfect.
If you’re like the thousands of others who saw Bernie’s look and just had to steal it, you’ve been on the hunt for those signature mittens ever since the Inauguration on Wednesday.
The bad news – Jen Ellis, the 2nd-grade teacher from Essex Junction, VT who gifted Bernie his iconic pair of mittens, is no longer selling them. Bernie’s mittens were made of repurposed discarded wool sweaters, sewn together and lined with fleece (that was made from recycled materials). They were handmade in Vermont.
But, you can still grab a pair of similarly crafted, handmade in Vermont mittens from any of these fine local independent crafters.
Get yourself a pair of the iconic Bernie’s mittens:
Old Home Crawford Farm, located in Guildhall, VT
KaitsVTcreations, out of Craftsbury Commons, VT
Green Mountain Mittens, in the Green Mountains of VT
Crazy Bird Mercantile, out of Highgate Center, VT
Maple Leaf Mittens, located in Norwich, VT
If you’re not into the mittens but you love some Bernie and especially that meme, you’re in luck! Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) has just released the Chairman Sanders Crewneck sweatshirt and 100% of the proceeds are going to Meals on Wheels in Vermont! Support a great cause while sporting your favorite meme. It doesn’t get much better than that. You can grab yours here.
