Bernie Sanders’s Suit Is #TheDress for Nerds
Bernie Sanders in a suit at the Democratic debate on CNN Wednesday. (Photo: AP)
Bernie Sanders is far from the most stylish candidate out there. If the people were voting for best dressed, it would probably be a close race between Donald Trump, for his ability to blend business suits with baseball hats; Hillary Clinton, and her affinity for bright colors such as chartreuse and teal; and Marco Rubio, because of his heeled booties. The Vermont senator, on the other hand, has a signature look consisting mostly of ill-fitting separates, disheveled hair, and old ties without any personality. But on Wednesday night, Sanders finally made a fashion statement when he wore a brown suit — maybe.
Appearing in CNN’s Democratic debate, Sanders went head-to-head with the former secretary of state, vying for the 246 delegates at stake in Florida. He spoke of immigration reform (a pertinent topic for the Miami residents in attendance), education, and climate change. But many of those watching at home were more interested in deliberating about the color of the candidate’s suit than about his policies.
Call it #TheDress for nerds, but viewers couldn’t determine whether Sanders was wearing a brown, black, or dark-blue suit.
Is Bernie Sanders’ suit brown? Or is this like you know what and it’s actually yellow. #DemDebate pic.twitter.com/kuLqC42Whi
— Jennifer Bendery (@jbendery)
Is Bernie Sanders wearing a dark brown suit, or is that my TV?
— Josh Greenman (@joshgreenman)
What color is Sanders’ suit? I feel like my TV is getting it wrong.
— Nick Confessore (@nickconfessore)
Bernie’s suit is clearly brown and while it doesn’t look great with his skin tone it is a bold choice.
— Jamelle Bouie (@jbouie)
Bernie’s suit even got its own Twitter account:
RT for brown fav for blue
— BerniesSuit (@BerniesSuit)
Mike Casca, Sanders’s rapid response director, initially said the suit was blue — then corrected himself.
the suit senator sanders is wearing tonight is black*
*corrects for wrong color.— mike casca (@cascamike)
Another campaign member, Michael Briggs, backed this up.
Michael Briggs is now also saying @BernieSanders suit tonight is black– true division in the campaign
— MaryAlice Parks (@maryaliceparks)
Some were still unconvinced, though, using digital manipulation to prove their point.
Photoshop says Bernie Sanders’s suit is brown #DemDebate pic.twitter.com/EmfrCOcvQ7
— Alfred Ng (@alfredwkng)
Science: Photoshop says Sanders’s suit is brown pic.twitter.com/sPCLKnH48y
— Peter Stevenson (@PeterWStevenson)
In addition to the dispute, there was some serious fashion shaming of Sanders for daring to wear brown. The critique gave Sanders a taste of what Clinton deals with on a daily basis, from talk about her hair to her skirt suits. The discussion about whether a brown suit is appropriate or not also recalled the time when President Obama shocked the nation by opting to discuss foreign policy with the press in a tan suit. The president was talking about Benghazi, ISIS, Syria, Ukraine, and more, but the Internet instead focused on the light shade that was brought out in August, just a few weeks before Labor Day.
Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest for nonstop inspiration delivered fresh to your feed, every day.
