Women document the safety precautions they take when using public transportation, with some revealing that they wear oversized shirts, or “subway shirts”, to protect themselves from unwanted attention in their clothing choices.
With the weather warming, the trend has recently become a topic of discussion on TikTok, where women have filmed themselves on the subway while wearing oversized T-shirts over their clothes.
Rae, who goes by the username @rae.hersey, captioned her TikTok video, “When you get to your destination and you can take your subway shirt off.” In the clip, Rae filmed herself taking off her coat in a coffee shop. TikToker then pulled the oversized white shirt off. which she wore revealing a black crop top with a slit detail that she wore underneath.
In the caption of the video, which has since been viewed more than 600,000 times, she wrote, “Just know that if you see me with a white pimple, the real mug is underneath.”
The video resonated with viewers, with many revealing that they also relied on the stand-up to allow them to wear whatever they wanted without having to worry about unwanted stares.
“Fashion safety layer,” one person wrote in the comments, while another called the trend “sad but necessary.”
Another person said, “It’s very sad but I totally understand.”
Others have revealed that they also use this trend when using ride-sharing platforms like Uber or Lyft. One person said, “Yes, I have Uber and Lyft sweatpants,” while another said, “I have an Uber shirt to wear.”
Ray’s video isn’t the only one dedicated to the trend, as a woman named Fiona, who goes by the username fionaylin on TikTok, shared a video reminding women to bring their own subway shirts.
“Now that it’s getting warmer in NYC, it’s always a reminder to wear a subway shirt/jacket over your nice clothes to protect yourself,” Fiona captioned a video showing the oversized jacket she wore over her dress.
A woman named Mia, who goes by the username @hanselkai, also shared a “PSA” about subway shirts and how the garment can be used to “keep away from the creeps.”
“PSA: Ladies, now that it’s hot out, don’t forget to pack your metro/shirt. Stay warm, stay sexy, stay safe from creeps!”, she captioned the video.
Grace, who goes by the username @perfect.grace on TikTok, shared a video reminding women to wear oversized shirts on public transportation when the weather is warm.
“It’s 85F in New York, so ladies don’t forget to bring your subway shirts! She wrote in the text caption for her video, which showed her standing on a subway platform in an oversized black T-shirt.” Also known as a dressing gown, it’s an oversized shirt. You wear it over your pretty clothes so you won’t be disturbed by the strange men on the train. »
In the caption to her video, which has been viewed more than two million times, she wrote: “Stay safe out there.”
And in the comments below the video, many viewers expressed their sadness at the existence of this trend, and the need for women to take precautions to protect themselves. “Isn’t it sad to have to dress nicely when we travel by bus or train? I agree with you 100%.”
Others revealed that wearing a “subway shirt” doesn’t always prevent unwanted attention, with one viewer saying the trend “is based on the logic that what you wear matters when it doesn’t. That’s not the case.”
In response to this point, Grace said, “No one should be bullied for anything they wear. You’re right, no matter what we wear, we will always be bullied.”
This isn’t the first time women have shared their ways to protect themselves, a woman named Mary recently revealed that she leaves her apartment when she gets home after realizing that “if someone follows you home, they’ll go see the apartment you live in.” Turn on the lights immediately.
