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mahatmakanejeeves

(56,882 posts)
Wed Jan 9, 2019, 12:25 PM Jan 2019

What's Up With Men Who Don't Wear Coats in Winter?

Last edited Thu Jan 10, 2019, 10:22 AM - Edit history (2)

STYLE & FASHION FASHION
What’s Up With Men Who Don’t Wear Coats in Winter?
You’ve seen them: those stubborn guys who refuse to dress appropriately for the weather. We attempt to understand their ‘reasoning’

By Jacob Gallagher
Jan. 8, 2019 11:21 a.m. ET

EVERY WINTER, the season’s most confounding species emerges: the Male Nojacketus. On that first freezing day, you can spot him standing on the subway platform or hoofing it to Starbucks, nonchalant in his meager button-up shirt. Even when this foolhardy creature can see his own breath, he may not don a coat, or even a pair of pants (Male Nojacketi adore shorts, especially of the cargo variety). Scarfs or gloves? He would never stoop to such compromising accessories. The most extreme variety of the species will bare his toes in flip-flops on days that could easily end in snow.

What...

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What's Up With Men Who Don't Wear Coats in Winter? (Original Post) mahatmakanejeeves Jan 2019 OP
Who the hell knows? Aristus Jan 2019 #1
Aristus, you seem to be in a bad mood today ailsagirl Jan 2019 #18
Me? Bad mood? Never! Aristus Jan 2019 #20
I hear you, Aristus-- One. Long. Nightmare. ailsagirl Jan 2019 #35
I hate being cold PJMcK Jan 2019 #2
wearing a coat is egoism? unblock Jan 2019 #10
Sorry, didn't make myself clear PJMcK Jan 2019 #12
ok, i see. i suppose if someone isn't going coatless to say "see how macho i am", unblock Jan 2019 #13
here is northern CA lapfog_1 Jan 2019 #3
In Ohio Ohiogal Jan 2019 #6
There are lots of that same species of male in Colorado, too. CrispyQ Jan 2019 #11
And Texas TexasBushwhacker Jan 2019 #38
Yep-- odd, isn't it? ailsagirl Jan 2019 #19
Here in North Texas I'm pretty sure there's those who don't own long pants Major Nikon Jan 2019 #45
Shorts when it snows? Uhhh Crutchez_CuiBono Jan 2019 #4
I'm one of those who does not wear a coat most of the time hueymahl Jan 2019 #5
I'm the same way TexasBushwhacker Jan 2019 #39
I do it sometimes. MicaelS Jan 2019 #7
I wear a flannel shirt, wool sweater, and cotton sweatshirt in the cold weather. guillaumeb Jan 2019 #8
Lots of folks around here may have 4 or even 5 layers on but no jacket. rurallib Jan 2019 #41
I rarely wear a jacket. guillaumeb Jan 2019 #42
As one who might break out in a sweat at 25 degrees, I wear a light coat when outside Hoyt Jan 2019 #9
I am the female version. Kali Jan 2019 #14
We're too Turbineguy Jan 2019 #15
It's funny. Here in SoCal one rarely sees a heavy winter coat that's common stopbush Jan 2019 #16
Sort of the same subject ailsagirl Jan 2019 #17
I see that all the time. Wait, let me rephrase that. mahatmakanejeeves Jan 2019 #21
Interesting phenomenon!! ailsagirl Jan 2019 #24
My son was one of them Freddie Jan 2019 #30
I imagine so! ailsagirl Jan 2019 #34
The ones I see up here 2naSalit Jan 2019 #22
Two things going on: FSogol Jan 2019 #23
I'm quite the opposite IronLionZion Jan 2019 #25
I wear shorts in winter when walking my dog. I do wear sweaters and a scarf, though. C Moon Jan 2019 #26
long sleeve Wind shirt, light sweater and heavy Irish wool sweater Historic NY Jan 2019 #27
Come to WI. Guys wear shorts throughout winter. Cool? I don't think so. To each, their own. Firestorm49 Jan 2019 #28
Minneapolis zipplewrath Jan 2019 #29
My husband runs hot and I swear is part polar bear... WePurrsevere Jan 2019 #31
I'm part Polar Bear, too! zanana1 Jan 2019 #48
Yup! That's definitely how it is w/my DH. OTOH normally I run cold... WePurrsevere Jan 2019 #49
Not sure. What gets me is the teenagers walking to school with no coats. Laffy Kat Jan 2019 #32
This message was self-deleted by its author geralmar Jan 2019 #33
Bath Salts? jpak Jan 2019 #36
I'm Long John Man hibbing Jan 2019 #37
I'm the female version crazycatlady Jan 2019 #40
Untreated high blood pressure? Mr. Quackers Jan 2019 #43
I like to wear a cape and a monocle Mr. Quackers Jan 2019 #44
I like living in florida OriginalGeek Jan 2019 #46
Common sense and caution has left us.....to our peril. KY_EnviroGuy Jan 2019 #47

Aristus

(66,075 posts)
1. Who the hell knows?
Wed Jan 9, 2019, 12:26 PM
Jan 2019

For what I pay for my jackets, coats, topcoats, etc., I'm damn sure going to wear them when it's cold...

Aristus

(66,075 posts)
20. Me? Bad mood? Never!
Wed Jan 9, 2019, 01:36 PM
Jan 2019

Diction perfect, temperament serene...

Actually, I've been in a bad mood since...well...since November 2016, I guess...

But it's always good to see you, ailsagirl.

unblock

(51,973 posts)
10. wearing a coat is egoism?
Wed Jan 9, 2019, 12:46 PM
Jan 2019

well, i suppose me wearing a coat helps no one but myself, but really, same goes for me eating. is that egoism, too?



PJMcK

(21,916 posts)
12. Sorry, didn't make myself clear
Wed Jan 9, 2019, 12:48 PM
Jan 2019

Not wearing a coat can demonstrate egoism. I see it every winter's day in NYC.

But, whatever. I could be wrong.

unblock

(51,973 posts)
13. ok, i see. i suppose if someone isn't going coatless to say "see how macho i am",
Wed Jan 9, 2019, 12:56 PM
Jan 2019

then yes, i see the egoism in that.

mostly when i see people in cold weather without coats, it's because they're not outside very long.

like just going across the street from the office for lunch, e.g.

personally, i bundle up as much as i can. i miss texas weather lol.

lapfog_1

(29,166 posts)
3. here is northern CA
Wed Jan 9, 2019, 12:29 PM
Jan 2019

we have a sub-species... the all weather "shorts men" (usually with sandals).

55F and raining and gusty winds and these idiots are running around in jogging shorts and no socks.

Ohiogal

(31,657 posts)
6. In Ohio
Wed Jan 9, 2019, 12:32 PM
Jan 2019

I see them in shorts WHEN THERE IS SNOW ON THE GROUND.

Often times the top part is a football jersey.

CrispyQ

(36,221 posts)
11. There are lots of that same species of male in Colorado, too.
Wed Jan 9, 2019, 12:47 PM
Jan 2019

I see lots of young boys walking to school that way.

Major Nikon

(36,814 posts)
45. Here in North Texas I'm pretty sure there's those who don't own long pants
Wed Jan 9, 2019, 11:14 PM
Jan 2019

When it gets below freezing and the wind is blowing I have on a scarf, hat, and gloves. I have a collection of each. I’m pretty sure there’s plenty who own none of those things as they act as if they have never seen such things.

hueymahl

(2,414 posts)
5. I'm one of those who does not wear a coat most of the time
Wed Jan 9, 2019, 12:31 PM
Jan 2019

It has to get down to at least below 40, really below freezing, or heavy rain or wind, before I will don one. Even then I may go without if I only have a short walk from the car to another heated place. Cold just does not bother me, and I would rather not have to keep up with a coat.

My spouse thinks I am crazy, too.

TexasBushwhacker

(20,043 posts)
39. I'm the same way
Wed Jan 9, 2019, 07:12 PM
Jan 2019

Living in Houston, I haven't owned a winter coat in years. Even if it gets down into the 20s, I'm not going to be outside for more than a few minutes, going to and from my car. I have some light jackets and cardigans, but nothing heavy or full length.

MicaelS

(8,747 posts)
7. I do it sometimes.
Wed Jan 9, 2019, 12:34 PM
Jan 2019

First, if the temperature is not too cold, I'd rather be cold, than start sweating wearing a coat or hoodie.

Second, I check the temperature before I leave to see what it is going to be later. if it's going to warm up, like it does a lot in Texas, then I trade being cold for a bit, rather having to drag a coat around later.

I'm a big, fat guy, and I sweat very easy.

guillaumeb

(42,641 posts)
8. I wear a flannel shirt, wool sweater, and cotton sweatshirt in the cold weather.
Wed Jan 9, 2019, 12:35 PM
Jan 2019

But growing up in eastern Canada, cold weather was normal.

 

Hoyt

(54,770 posts)
9. As one who might break out in a sweat at 25 degrees, I wear a light coat when outside
Wed Jan 9, 2019, 12:36 PM
Jan 2019

for more than 5 or 10 minutes in 45 degrees or lower. Even then, you won't find me in flip-flops. Like my toes protected from dirt, heavy objects, bees, clumsy people, etc.

Do a lot of hiking, layer up accordingly. It gets cold below 50 degrees when you are soaking wet from huffing up a steep hill.

I do crack up seeing people on the trails shivering in shorts and light T-shirts when it's below 45 or so.

Kali

(54,990 posts)
14. I am the female version.
Wed Jan 9, 2019, 01:05 PM
Jan 2019

when you are larger than an anorexic fashion model, you tend to have a certain amount of latent body heat. the only things that get cold are fingers and toes, that is what sox are for. instead of vests, I wish they made light jackets with insulated sleeves. I don't need to warm my torso/body but sometimes the wind makes my arms cold. I wear sandals with sox in the winter when it gets real cold, don't bother with the sox most of the rest of the time. hell I don't bother with the sandals much either for that matter.

stopbush

(24,376 posts)
16. It's funny. Here in SoCal one rarely sees a heavy winter coat that's common
Wed Jan 9, 2019, 01:21 PM
Jan 2019

north of the region. But as we have endless summer, our inner thermometers are off - people start donning jackets when the temp slips below 70°.

Then, there are those who wear shorts and sandals year-round, even if they do don a heavy coat.

ailsagirl

(22,837 posts)
17. Sort of the same subject
Wed Jan 9, 2019, 01:27 PM
Jan 2019

I see teens waiting for the bus in the mornings-- sometimes it's 35 degrees or less-- and it seems as if none of the boys wear jackets-- some of them even wear shorts!!

P'raps the young are impervious to cold temps -- that, or else it's considered "wimpy"

mahatmakanejeeves

(56,882 posts)
21. I see that all the time. Wait, let me rephrase that.
Wed Jan 9, 2019, 01:39 PM
Jan 2019

It's not as if I'm not spying on the young'uns waiting at the bus stop.

Anyway....

I live in northern Virginia. Last Saturday was cold, damp, and dreary, as usual. In the afternoon, I went to the library to get some work done on the computer. Their connection is much faster than mine at home.

A bunch of elementary school-age boys were there, playing computer games. Think fourth-grade, fifth-grade. They were wearing basketball shorts.

Snow is in the forecast for this weekend. I predict the kids will show up in their basketball shorts, as usual.

I had always thought of that as a middle school-age thing. No matter how cold it gets, the boys have on their basketball or lacrosse shorts.

Freddie

(9,231 posts)
30. My son was one of them
Wed Jan 9, 2019, 03:05 PM
Jan 2019

Not with shorts, but no coat/jacket. Said it was a PITA to drag a coat around school as he didn’t always have time to get to his locker, plus he was just going from warm bus to warm building. On a really cold day he’d wear a hoodie. Still does but he lives in Florida now, where the definition of “really cold day” is quite different than here in Pennsylvania.

ailsagirl

(22,837 posts)
34. I imagine so!
Wed Jan 9, 2019, 05:36 PM
Jan 2019

I see joggers running in the rain in just sweatshirts/pants-- soaking wet BRRRRRRRRRR

2naSalit

(86,031 posts)
22. The ones I see up here
Wed Jan 9, 2019, 01:49 PM
Jan 2019

in Montana are usually meth heads. They have a problem with getting overheated, I think the cold actually feels good to them even if it makes them sick.

FSogol

(45,355 posts)
23. Two things going on:
Wed Jan 9, 2019, 02:05 PM
Jan 2019

1. These dudes are totally relying on the technology of their car/house/business heating systems. You can wear shorts and scandals if you are only going from the car to office or car to gym. If the tech fails or the car breaks down, they are SOL.

2. Our nation is filling up with pampered kidults. Mom didn't make them wear a jacket and now they aren't going to. Wear reasonable clothes? No way. I got videos to watch! Someone will show up to warm them or break the icicles off their nose. Winter is nothing to worry about.

IronLionZion

(45,250 posts)
25. I'm quite the opposite
Wed Jan 9, 2019, 02:26 PM
Jan 2019

and usually sport a scarf and hat with my coat. But I spend more time walking outside than the folks who drive.

zipplewrath

(16,646 posts)
29. Minneapolis
Wed Jan 9, 2019, 03:00 PM
Jan 2019

Had a brother who lived there for decades. He used to smile that people there didn't actually put their coats on until it got close to zero. Before that they just carried them in their hand and threw them in the car.

WePurrsevere

(24,259 posts)
31. My husband runs hot and I swear is part polar bear...
Wed Jan 9, 2019, 03:29 PM
Jan 2019

We live in northern NY and even on some of the coldest days he's outside without a heavy coat. It's not an ego thing at all for him. He just runs that hot. After 25 years together I just shake my head and make sure my Santa look a like at least has a shirt on when he goes out to feed the critters or get the mail down at the road.

zanana1

(6,084 posts)
48. I'm part Polar Bear, too!
Thu Jan 10, 2019, 09:28 AM
Jan 2019

When I go shopping i usually park at the end of the parking lot and walk coatless andf sweaterless into the store. People look at me like I'm mad. I just hate carrying a coat around in the store and I think most public places are overheated.

WePurrsevere

(24,259 posts)
49. Yup! That's definitely how it is w/my DH. OTOH normally I run cold...
Thu Jan 10, 2019, 12:39 PM
Jan 2019

(unless my thermostat goes wonky ).

The conversations between he and I about the sub zero temps coming in the next few days should be a thrill a minute.

Laffy Kat

(16,354 posts)
32. Not sure. What gets me is the teenagers walking to school with no coats.
Wed Jan 9, 2019, 04:14 PM
Jan 2019

Some even wearing tee shirts and shorts IN THE WINTER! I can see not wanting to tote one around all day but you'd think they'd at least wear sweaters and jeans.

Response to mahatmakanejeeves (Original post)

hibbing

(10,076 posts)
37. I'm Long John Man
Wed Jan 9, 2019, 06:16 PM
Jan 2019

I wear long johns every day from September until late April! I see these guys out with shorts and I think they are nuts. I suppose if you are only going from the car to some other place that's all you need to roll in.


Peace

crazycatlady

(4,492 posts)
40. I'm the female version
Wed Jan 9, 2019, 07:31 PM
Jan 2019

I wear a coat when it makes sense (when I'm outside for more than 1/2 hour and not active). I can't drive for more than 10 minutes wtih a coat on (car is heated anyways) and I'm fine with other layers.

I once shoveled snow in flip flops. My boots were on their way out (leaky) and I soaked through about 5 pairs of socks. Flip flops were better than wet socks.

OriginalGeek

(12,132 posts)
46. I like living in florida
Thu Jan 10, 2019, 12:29 AM
Jan 2019

But I do miss needing a coat. I always wanted a dapper overcoat and a good reason to wear it.

But lately when I go to concerts I'll buy the long sleeve death metal shirt just in case we get into the 60s.

KY_EnviroGuy

(14,483 posts)
47. Common sense and caution has left us.....to our peril.
Thu Jan 10, 2019, 08:45 AM
Jan 2019

I believe the medical profession tells us getting chills can increase risk of sickness, particularly in high wind. That's also been my personal experience.

At 71, I choose to follow the old-fashioned rules........

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