Did You Remember Your Subway Shirt?
Photograph by Nicole Armbrecht
In cities where streets are full of car horns blaring and drivers screaming obscenities, why would anyone want to drive? Every morning when I hear that orchestra of alarms and beeps, I am thankful my commute consists of reading a book or staring into oblivion on a train. However, train users have to consider the fact that they are exposed to hundreds of strangers crowding around them on the subway. Drivers have the privilege of traveling in their own space that allows them to wear what they want without fear of sexualization from strangers. The subway has cheap fares, no insurance, and no responsibility. In theory, this system is accessible and a revolution for those wanting to save money while having reliable transportation — until the responsibility to be safe falls on the femme, the “vulnerable,” and the fashionable.
Kelley Heyer (she/they) is a strong advocate for the subway along with its convenience and practicality. Their day job as an actress and fashion influencer takes them all over the city, giving them plenty of opportunities to observe and embrace the environment of the subway. Heyer posted a TikTok of her removing an oversized t-shirt to reveal an ABL Estudio top after taking the subway. The text on the video reads, “When you’re a block away from the party and can finally take off your subway shirt.” Heyer proclaims her baggy boygenius t-shirt a “subway shirt” as a way to protect her clothes from the sullied subway seats and herself from staring eyes.
In a few days, she was receiving millions of views and a deluge of comments and DMs from people relating to the reality of covering up their outfits and others harassing her despite the obvious hypocrisy. Heyer wore the shirt because they “didn’t want unwanted attention.” They continued, “I was going to a NYFW event [and] my outfit very much fit the vibe of the runway… But I knew other people wouldn't get it.” The clothes people choose to wear are not an invitation to sexualize them. Fashion is a way to physically express how we feel day to day in a way that’s visually appealing to one’s self. Emphasis on one’s self. The volume of shameless and crude comments proved why some people believe in the necessity of a “subway shirt.”
When reading the comments, Heyer remarked how she “kinda just had to laugh… I knew I looked great.” However, she reflected on how a few years ago, a viral video like this would’ve changed her life and probably not for the better. In high school, they believe those kinds of messages would’ve destroyed their self esteem. Using fashion as a way to create a community and grow as a person, Heyer’s uplifting demeanor is evident in our conversation. In her mind, the only way to turn this potentially negative situation into a positive one was to do what they do best: create. Heyer reached out to her friend Riley Scott and immediately got to work on what’s now known as the official Subway Shirt. All of the proceeds are donated to Planned Parenthood and The YellowHammer Fund.
Heyer hopes the shirt can serve as a “form of armor” to those who want to feel more protected from uncomfortable stares or unwelcome attention when traveling. The shirt also serves as a contribution to the solidarity she has received from people throughout her life. A portrayal of this unity was when Heyer received warning as she was getting on a train car at rush hour that every person came out of as soon as the doorsopened. She chalked it up to busy city schedules but as Heyer “started walking on, a girl who just got off tapped my shoulder, and she said, ‘Don’t get on that train car.’”
People should be able to choose their outfits based on personal taste and not, “can I run fast enough in this outfit?” Until that day happens, wear what you want, but allow a Subway Shirt to ease the feelings of uneasiness on public transit. The ability to use mainstream transportation is what gives people the ability to get a job, have a life, and be connected with the world they live in. Playing into the bystander effect and sticking your face in a phone when things get uncomfortable is how people get hurt or possibly worse. Be a friend when taking the train, not a stranger.