BELOW SUPERNAV drop zone ⇩

The story behind Bernie Sanders’ iconic Inauguration Day mittens

MAIN AREA TOP drop zone ⇩

MAIN AREA TOP drop zone ⇩

AUTO TEST CUSTOM HTML 20241114185800

AUTO TEST CUSTOM HTML 20241115200405

WASHINGTON (NewsNation Now) — Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders caught the attention of America at the inauguration on Wednesday with his cozy, relatable sartorial choices.

Sanders appeared at the inauguration wearing his signature Burton coat and a pair of fuzzy mittens that have their own backstory.

Former presidential candidate, Senator Bernie Sanders (D-Vermont) sits in the bleachers on Capitol Hill before Joe Biden is sworn in as the 46th US President on January 20, 2021, at the US Capitol in Washington, DC. (Photo by Brendan SMIALOWSKI / AFP) (Photo by BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP via Getty Images)

The mittens were created by Vermont teacher Jane Ellis. Ellis made the mittens from repurposed wool sweaters and lined them with fleece from recycled plastic bottles.

According to Vogue, Sanders even wore the mittens to the Women’s March in Portsmouth, New Hampshire last January.

WASHINGTON, DC – JANUARY 20: Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) wears mittens as he attends the inauguration of Joe Biden on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol on January 20, 2021 in Washington, DC. During today’s inauguration ceremony Joe Biden became the 46th president of the United States. (Photo by Jonathan Ernst-Pool/Getty Images)

But it’s not just the mittens that have a sweet backstory. According to Sanders’ wife, Jane O’Meara Sanders, the brown coat he’s wearing has its own unique history.

“Our son @drscll worked with @burtonsnowboard founder Jake Burton on a limited edition jacket with @BernieSanders face on the back,” she wrote on Twitter. “Bernie really liked it, so Dave got him one – without his image – for Christmas. Vermont jacket, Vermont gloves, Vermont common sense!”

The mittens have caused a stir on social media, with one fan going so far to create a @BerniesMittens handle on Twitter.

The account’s bio reads: “Feeling the BERN not the BURN.”

Inauguration Day

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed

Site Settings Survey

 

MAIN AREA MIDDLE drop zone ⇩

Trending on NewsNation

MAIN AREA BOTTOM drop zone ⇩

tt

KC Chiefs parade shooting: 1 dead, 21 shot including 9 kids | Morning in America

Witness of Chiefs parade shooting describes suspect | Banfield

Kansas City Chiefs parade shooting: Mom of 2 dead, over 20 shot | Banfield

WWE star Ashley Massaro 'threatened' by board to keep quiet about alleged rape: Friend | Banfield

Friend of WWE star: Ashley Massaro 'spent hours' sobbing after alleged rape | Banfield

Clear

la

56°F Clear Feels like 56°
Wind
2 mph SE
Humidity
63%
Sunrise
Sunset

Tonight

A few passing clouds. Low 49F. Winds light and variable.
49°F A few passing clouds. Low 49F. Winds light and variable.
Wind
5 mph E
Precip
9%
Sunset
Moon Phase
Waning Gibbous