A subway shirt, or outfit dampener, is an oversized outfit worn by women to protect themselves while they commute on hot days.[1][2] This dress style is meant to protect women from unpleasant looks, sexist remarks, and hostile or violent confrontations.[3] This strategy is used by women in the U.S., U.K., and France.[3]
Background
The trend of wearing oversized shirts to avoid unwanted male attention on public transportation began in New York City. The movement has gained traction,[4] with videos with the hashtag #SubwayShirt attracting millions of views.[3]
In the UK, 71% of women have encountered some type of sexual harassment in public places, according to a poll conducted on with the assistance of UN Women UK.[5]
Although the term "subway shirt" is new, choosing outfits to avoid harassment is not. A 2016 study in France, by the National Federation of Transport User Organizations ociations (Fnaut), found that 48% of women respondents acknowledged modifying their clothes in order to move about, such as wearing pants instead of skirt, or covering their cleavage with a scarf or a large sweater.[3]
Comments
According to certain TikTok users, the cover-up is intended to redirect attention away from the body. According to Leora Tanenbaum, the TikToks suggesting subway T-shirts are promoting awareness of the harm that results from assault and sexual harassment in public places. While wearing one may make women feel less exposed, Tanenbaum states that it isn't a requirement.[2]
This wearing style has been described by certain TikTok users as "Fashion safety layer" and "sad but necessary". Others stated they follow the style while utilizing ride-hailing services like Uber or Lyft.[6]
References
- ^ Cheong, Charissa. "Women are encouraging each other to wear 'subway shirts' on public transport to shield their summer looks from the eyes of 'strange men'". Insider. Retrieved 2023-05-27.
- ^ a b Demopoulos, Alaina (2023-05-16). "The women wearing 'subway T-shirts' over outfits to avoid creepy stares". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2023-05-27.
- ^ a b c d "Harassment in transport: when women try to protect themselves with a "subway shirt" -". News in France. 2023-05-25. Retrieved 2023-05-27.
- ^ "Sad reason women are wearing a baggy T-shirt on public transport". news.com.au. Retrieved 27 May 2023.
- ^ "Women Wearing 'Subway Shirts' Shows How Unsafe Public Transport Still Is". HuffPost UK. 2023-05-21. Retrieved 2023-06-06.
- ^ "Women are wearing 'subway shirts' over outfits to deter 'creepy' men". The Independent. 2023-05-20. Retrieved 2023-06-06.