What is the origin of the Bernie Sanders mittens meme?
The Bernie Sanders mittens meme originated during President Joe Biden’s inauguration on January 20, 2021, when AFP photographer Brendan Smialowski captured a now-iconic image of Senator Sanders sitting alone in a folding chair. In the photograph, Sanders was wearing a practical brown Burton winter coat and distinctive handmade mittens, appearing characteristically unimpressed with the ceremonial proceedings.
The mittens that sparked the global phenomenon were actually gifted to Sanders in 2016 by Jen Ellis, a Vermont elementary school teacher who crafted them from recycled wool sweaters and lined them with fleece. The image perfectly captured Sanders’ well-known pragmatic and unpretentious personality, showing him maintaining social distance during the COVID-19 pandemic while staying warm in his practical Vermont winter wear.
Why did the Bernie sitting meme go viral during the inauguration?
The meme gained instant traction because it perfectly distilled the “Bernie attitude” – grassroots, unpretentious, and of the people – while also providing an easily adaptable template for creative expression. The timing was particularly significant, as it offered a moment of collective joy and humor during a period marked by political tension and global pandemic stress.
The image’s versatility played a crucial role in its viral spread, as people began placing Sanders into various scenarios, from historical photographs to movie scenes and album covers. Within minutes of Biden’s swearing-in, social media users had created a transparent PNG of the image, allowing for easy editing and widespread creative adaptation.
Who made Bernie Sanders’ famous mittens?
The now-famous mittens were handcrafted by Jen Ellis, a second-grade teacher from Vermont who made them as a thoughtful gift for Senator Sanders in 2016. Ellis created these unique mittens using recycled wool sweaters and lined them with fleece made from recycled plastic bottles, reflecting both Vermont’s practical approach to winter wear and environmental consciousness.
The unexpected viral fame transformed Ellis’s life, leading to thousands of requests for similar mittens and numerous media appearances. She later chronicled her experience in a book called “Bernie’s Mitten Maker,” where she detailed her crafting journey and the unexpected challenges of becoming an internet sensation. Despite the overwhelming demand, Ellis maintained her primary role as a teacher while selectively creating additional mittens for charitable causes.
What makes Bernie Sanders mittens meme merchandise so popular?
The merchandise’s popularity stems from the meme’s ability to transcend political divisions and represent authenticity in an often formal political landscape. The products resonated with consumers because they captured a genuine moment that combined humor, practicality, and Bernie Sanders’ characteristic no-frills approach to public life.
The merchandise appeal was further enhanced by its connection to charitable causes, as Sanders and others involved directed profits toward meaningful initiatives. The products ranged from practical items like sweatshirts and stickers to more creative pieces like wine glasses and plates, allowing fans to own a piece of this cultural moment while supporting good causes.
What are the most popular Bernie mittens meme products?
The most successful products from the Bernie mittens phenomenon included official “Chairman Sanders” sweatshirts, which sold out within minutes of their release on Sanders’ campaign website. T-shirts, stickers, and various home goods featuring the iconic image became instant bestsellers across multiple platforms.
Specialty items emerged through collaborations, such as the partnership between Jen Ellis and Darn Tough Socks to create mittens-pattern socks benefiting Vermont food banks. The merchandise expansion went beyond traditional apparel to include unique items like crocheted dolls, commemorative plates, and even digital products featuring the senator in various creative contexts.
How did Bernie Sanders react to the meme’s popularity?
Senator Sanders embraced the meme’s popularity with characteristic pragmatism and social consciousness, immediately leveraging the attention to benefit charitable causes. He and his team quickly produced official merchandise featuring the image, with proceeds going to various Vermont charitable organizations.
Sanders expressed amazement at the creative responses to the image and appreciated that his “internet fame” could be used to help Vermonters in need. His campaign’s merchandise efforts alone raised $1.8 million for Vermont charities in just five days, demonstrating how viral moments can be transformed into meaningful social impact.
Is Bernie mittens merchandise still relevant in 2025?
The Bernie mittens phenomenon has evolved from a viral moment into a sustained cultural touchstone, with continued interest in both the original merchandise and new interpretations. The Vermont Folklife Archive’s preservation of approximately 1,500 meme variations demonstrates the cultural significance and lasting impact of this moment.
The story continues to resonate as an example of how authentic moments can transcend political boundaries and create positive social impact. Educational institutions and cultural organizations continue to study and preserve the phenomenon, ensuring its place in digital culture history.
What charity initiatives were inspired by the Bernie mittens meme?
The meme sparked numerous charitable initiatives, with Sanders’ campaign leading the way by raising $1.8 million through merchandise sales for Vermont charitable organizations. The beneficiaries included Meals on Wheels, Vermont community action agencies, and various senior centers throughout the state.
Jen Ellis, the mittens’ creator, also contributed to charitable causes by auctioning special mitten pairs to benefit organizations like Passion 4 Paws Vermont and Outright Vermont. Additional initiatives included Burton Snowboards donating 50 jackets to the Burlington Department for Children and Families in Sanders’ name, while Getty Images directed their licensing proceeds to Meals on Wheels of America.
How has the Bernie sitting meme influenced fashion trends?
The meme sparked a renewed interest in practical, handmade winter wear, particularly highlighting the appeal of sustainably crafted mittens using recycled materials. The viral moment elevated Vermont’s practical approach to winter fashion, emphasizing the intersection of functionality and environmental consciousness in clothing choices.
Ellis’s collaboration with Vermont businesses to create Bernie-inspired products demonstrated how viral fashion moments could be transformed into sustainable business models while maintaining social responsibility. The phenomenon influenced how people viewed practical winter wear, making it acceptable and even fashionable to prioritize comfort and sustainability over formal appearance.
What makes this meme so enduring compared to other political memes?
The meme’s endurance stems from its authenticity and ability to transcend political divisions, capturing a genuine moment that resonated with people across the political spectrum. Unlike typical political memes that often focus on controversy or division, the Bernie mittens meme represented comfort, practicality, and relatability during a formal political event.
The image’s timing during the pandemic, combined with its wholesome nature and connection to charitable causes, created a perfect storm of positive engagement. The meme’s success was further cemented by its easy adaptability and the way it spawned numerous creative interpretations while maintaining its core appeal of authenticity and unpretentiousness.