One person clearly dominated the presidential debate last week.

And he wasn’t even debating.

Ken Bone, the audience member in the bright red sweater, black-framed rectangular glasses and perfect mustache, stole the show just by standing up.

There was something about his name (Ken Bone), his appearance (“Kenneth Bone looks like the human version of a hug,” one person rightly Tweeted) and his well-stated question about energy policy and jobs. He was just awesome at a time when other people were being decidedly not awesome.

Shopping Siren’s thinking of voting for him for president.

She’s probably not the only one.

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Since the Sunday evening debate, the internet has been flooded with love for Ken Bone in the form of memes, fan pages and odes (both musical and poetic). He gained 169,000 Twitter followers virtually overnight, up from the seven he had before. His red sweater — reportedly an IZOD cable-knit quarter-zip — sold out online as people scrambled to put together their Ken Bone costume for Halloween. 

Because this fall has seen enough gore, thank you very much.

Ken Bone (man, that name!) has handled his 15 minutes of fame with both humor and grace. That might be even more admirable than the appearance that won him said fame. So this Bliss is dedicated to him.

Bliss Thru Ken Bone.

And that red sweater.

* IZOD red V-neck sweater, JC Penney, $55

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Ken Bone’s particular sweater is very hard to find right now, what with its fame and all. However, there is this men’s V-neck sweater by the same company and in the same “red dahlia” color. Pair with a white button-down shirt like Ken Bone wore to the debate and you, too, can be America’s sweetheart this Halloween. Or Christmas. Or Valentine’s Day. It’s a very versatile sweater. 

* Mustaches, Goodwill, $2.50

If you want to look like Ken Bone this Halloween, you gotta have the ‘stache. This costume set includes seven self-adhesive mustaches of various sizes and styles, at least two of which could pass as Ken Bone replicas. The other five are just fun. Like Ken Bone on CNN.  

* Microphone, Goodwill, $1.50

This Halloween costume microphone is adorned with sparkles and feathers — which makes it a little too ostentatious for a Ken Bone costume, but I think you could get away with it if you pluck off the feathers. That’ll still leave the sparkles, but Ken Bone metaphorically sparkles anyway. So. Perfect.

* Sunglasses, Goodwill, $3

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Pop out the lenses and ta-da! Ken Bone glasses. For rounding out that Halloween costume. Or for looking into the adoring heart of the internet while the internet looks back at you.

* Chapps men’s sweaters, Kohl’s, $80

Thick, red-and-white knit ski sweater with polar bears adorning the front. Cozy, warm and cuddly. A perfect replacement for Ken Bone’s sweater when his famous one wears out. Or for when he comes to Maine to visit during the winter. Come to Maine, Ken Bone! Come to Maine!

* Swarovski pen, Day’s Jewelers, $65

Weighty black pen with glittery marcasite around the edge of the barrel. When Ken Bone’s fame dies down (never!), the internet will need a new sensation. It could be you! It will be you. And when it is, use this pen to sign your billions of autographs. It’s best to be prepared for these eventualities.

(Special shout-out to Day’s, which had a wide dog bowl filled with water inside the front door on the day I went in. Nice! The Dobermans heartily approve. And now want diamond-studded collars.)      

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Best find: Croft and Barrow Arctic fleece, Kohl’s, $36

Men’s red fleece with a quarter zip. Very reminiscent of Ken Bone’s sweater, but just different enough to make it your own. Because shouldn’t we all be a little Ken Bone? 

Think twice: St. John’s Bay quarter-zip sweater, JC Penney, $50

Closest style I could find to The Sweater, but the color — burgundy — leaves a lot to be desired. It’s dark. Staid. Dull. Ken Bone is none of those things. Neither are you. So skip the burgundy and get on board with Bone.

Shopping Siren’s true identity is protected by a pair of stylish, sweater-wearing Doberman pinschers (who love Milk Bones, rawhide bones and Ken Bone) and the Customer Service counter at the Sun Journal. You can reach her at shoppingsiren@sunjournal.com.


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