As the summer season approaches in New York City, women are finding creative ways to protect themselves from unwanted attention and harassment in public. One trend that’s gaining popularity is the use of “subway shirts” – loose-fitting, baggy shirts worn over outfits to deter creepy men.
The idea is simple: by wearing a subway shirt, women can conceal their outfits and avoid drawing unwanted attention from strangers. Multiple women have taken to social media to share their experiences and promote the trend. Rae Hersey, a TikTok user, shared a video showcasing her subway shirt, which has been viewed over 680,000 times.
Hersey’s video sparked a wave of comments from women who shared their own experiences with harassment and appreciated the idea of wearing a subway shirt as a safety measure. Some women shared their own tips and tricks for staying safe in public, such as wearing oversized jackets or coats.
The trend has also been promoted by other content creators, such as @fionaylin and @ideal.grace, who have shared their own videos and reminders to wear subway shirts as a precaution. As one user commented, “sad but necessary,” the trend highlights the unfortunate reality of harassment that many women face in public.
While some may view the trend as a sad reflection of our society, others see it as a practical solution to a common problem. As women continue to share their experiences and promote the trend, it’s clear that the subway shirt has become a symbol of female empowerment and self-protection.