This is the piece everyone is talking about on social media. The subway shirt, "subway shirt", whose hashtag now has 9 million views, appeared on TikTok, promoted by New York and London users, before being widely picked up by the French media. Its particularity? The piece is not defined by its style but its function: it is a covering shirt that young girls put on over their outfit before rushing into the subway, with the idea of evading glances and inappropriate remarks.
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@itssophiemilner
I didnt realise everyone else did this tooits a huge problem in london. Theres so many outfits ive just never worn out, or had to change so much, just because I knew people would make me feel uncomfortable for wearing it - be it catcalling or stares. #catcalling #subwayshirt #tubeshirt #subwayoutfit #tubeoutfit #ootd
A work of art by s_johnson_voiceovers - Stefan Johnson
In a video, American influencer Addison Rae films herself in a café taking off her shirt worn on the subway before enjoying her latte. On another, it is the British Sophie Milner who films herself comparing outfits to their equivalent, in adapted version "so as not to be harassed and stared at by a dirty guy in the subway". If the phenomenon was born in Anglo-Saxon lands, it finds its echo in France.
In video, the model Karoline reveals on Tiktok the underside of the model
Anti-aggression clothing tips
A survey conducted by Opinonway for 20 Minutes in 2020 reveals that, out of 695 young people aged 18 to 30 surveyed, 69% of women say they have given up wearing a garment at least once in the past year for fear of sexist remarks or aggression. A habit confirmed by several testimonies of young girls collected in the streets of Paris by the channels France 2 or Cnews. Subway shirt, but also sweatshirts or spare jogging pants: the latter evoke their clothing tricks to go unnoticed in transport. All of them establish a link between light clothing and the risk of aggression.
@rae.hersey
Just know if you see me in a white button down, the real fit is underneath#subwayshirt #nyc
Applesauce - Mark Fabian & Alexander Smith & George King & RK Masters
Anticipating sexist actions and remarks
The 5th annual report on the state of sexism in France, published in January 2023, mentions it: "Sexism does not decline in France (...) and the younger generations are the most affected." It also indicates that 52% of women surveyed "give up dressing as they wish" in anticipation of possible sexist acts and remarks by men. In response to women's insecurity in transport, Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin launched a preventive campaign on May 25 in the form of distributing leaflets to inform victims and witnesses of attacks. An operation widely mocked by users of social networks, who remain more convinced by the effectiveness of their large shirt.