Forget “state-of-good-repair” — this holiday season, the Maryland Transit Administration knows that it’s all about keeping your wardrobe in a state-of-good-wear.
The agency dropped its first-ever holiday sweater design this week, keeping up with the hottest transit trend of bus and train themed merch. Philadelphia has T-shirts and bags. Chicago has umbrellas. Amtrak can help you “hop on board the nostalgia train.” Now the MTA is launching a merch store of its own and wants you to wait for the light rail in style.
MTA Administrator Holly Arnold, a transit fashionista often spotted by the paparazzi rocking a sleek MARC train jacket, and the agency announced the design Thursday afternoon, interestingly a week in advance of New York City Fashion Week.
The @mtamaryland merch store is coming this fall! In the meantime, pre-order your limited edition sweater! https://t.co/SCsRZHt18Q
— Holly Arnold (@MDOTMTAHolly) August 29, 2024
The red-and-black torso with yellow-and-black sleeves recalls the Maryland flag. The stomach and sleeves are dashed with prominent Baltimore landmarks such as City Hall, the Washington Monument, the National Aquarium and the World Trade Center. Symbols for all of Baltimore’s different transit modes like bus and light rail mingle with snowflakes across the shoulders and chest.
At 60% acrylic material, this cozy couture will stretch more than those unpredictable arrival times for the LocalLink 38. It’s sure to be the hottest item in Baltimore transit-wear this year, overtaking the fake Air Jordans that guy tried to sell you on the subway one time.
The $60 sweater is available in size small — 4XL and pre-orders are open now through Monday, Sept. 2. A limited supply of sweaters will be available for purchase in November for those who miss the pre-order date, according to the agency’s website.
At least one order is already in — the new MTA threads will be transit sweater number six for Red Line communications manager and transit sartorialist Jerome Horne. The Mass Transit Magazine 40 under 40 list maker has an extensive collection of transit signs, fare cards and model vehicles that make up his own International Micro Museum of Transit.
So, if your bus doesn’t show this holiday season, leaving you walking in a winter wonderland, at least you can do it in style.