The Bernie Sanders Meme Has Merch Now

Well, that was quick. This past week at the inauguration, Senator Bernie Sanders struck a pose that was seen and memed around the world. In a full Vermont-minded outfit of a Burton coat and handmade—upcycled!—mittens created by a local teacher, Sanders waited for the inauguration to start, poised like a tired uncle at a bar mitzvah with his arms and legs crossed. Almost instantly, the image became a meme. Fans superimposed the 79-year-old into unlikely locales: at Marina Abramovic’s “Silence Is Golden” live art performance, on New York City subways, and even front row at a fashion show next to Frank Ocean.

Only two days later, the image can now be worn. Sanders’s camp released an image of the Senator on a sweatshirt, which according to its description is 100% combed ring-spun organic cotton fleece, made in the USA, and Union printed. The piece of, well, history is $45 but you’ll have to wait to snag one: Due to overwhelming demand, it will take three to six weeks to receive. The best part? In classic mensch-like fashion, 100% of the proceeds will go toward Meals on Wheels Vermont. 

This isn’t the first time that the practically-dressed Bernie has made an unlikely impact on fashion. Back in 2017, his campaign was reinterpreted into a Balenciaga logo at the Fall 2017 show. And while Sanders might be famously anti-fashion, his impact is certainly felt in the space.