Why Dont People Wear Coats Anymore?

[K.D. Lightner]

I saw, a few years ago, an article that explained why a lot of folks walk around in freezing cold weather wearing clothing that does not protect them.

Many people do not dress for the weather, they dress for the indoors, because they plan to spend as little time outdoors as possible. Not only do teenagers do this, but business people. They will go from their houses to their pre-heated cars in garages, from their cars to another garage and maybe have to walk a block in the cold, then they go into their warm offices, or stores, or malls and then repeat the process going home. They don't want to appear dorky in lots of clothes, plus they don't want to carry coats around with them, and they don't want to sweat, either.

The article warned that it was dangerous to do that. I recall that in the bad blizzards that hit in the east in the late 70's, several business men had been found frozen to death in a car that stalled during the blizzard (and remained there for several days). The men were wearing dress coats and scarves, but no hats, no ear muffs, thin gloves and those thin rubbers that fit over dress shoes. Why they decided to car pool and go to work when a huge blizzard was supposed to hit, I cannot imagine, but they never made it to work.

I have been coatless in below zero weather in New Hampshire, but I wore layers --- long thermal underwear above and below, thick trousers, cotton turtleneck under and flannel shirt under a backpacking wool sweater, thick wool socks over silk socks. And, mountain hiking boots with gators. Hey, I was warm as toast.

Just two days ago, I found a vintage, black 100% custom-made cashmere men's dress coat in one of mother's closets. It belong to my Uncle Jack, who died in 1949. It feels divine soft, with a silk interior and it almost fits, it will when I drop another 20 lbs or so. And I will wear it, I don't care if it is a man's coat. A woman would look splendid in it.

karol

 

[Dr Doran]

It is a little disheartening to read so often, commentary regarding the non-styled, and their attitudes, when I wonder if we arent reinforcing all the negatives I see thrown around on here.

Good point, and I, for one, am by no means innocent of this sin. However, I cannot help but to remember the sentiment of Tarquin Winot, the monstrous and effete anti-hero of John Lanchester's small masterpiece on gourmet cooking and the art of murder, The Debt to Pleasure. I cannot find the passage now (perhaps someone can help me) but the gist of it was that we are defined by the things we dislike, that the dislike of certain things is what gives us definition. "Liking," in contrast, is a wobbly concept, amorphous, and does not provide boundaries for our aesthetic sense (which the protagonist would have identified with the soul) whereas dislike provides the boundaries that define us as people.

But all the same, I appreciate your point. Misanthropy can be a waste.

 

[K.D. Lightner]

Is that book, The Debt to Pleasure, a piece of fiction?. Sounds like an interesting book.

I think lots of folks believe that a person's liking something that is popular means that person is a conformist. I have always hated it when something I loved or enjoyed for years became popular in the greater culture because, then, everyone would think I was just following the crowd.

If you dislike something, especially if it is popular, you are looked up as an individualist. Maybe a cranky individualist, but some would rather be that then go along with the madding crowd.

Teenagers have the hardest time of it: they want to rebel and be different than their parents, so they reject the cultural preferences of the earlier generation, but most are slaves to their own fashion and will only wear what is dictated by their peers.


karol

 

[mdg137]

Thanks Doran,

It appeared to me that some of the meaning of my post went unrecognized.

There is absolutely everything to be said for individualism-- it is something else again to let your clothing, or any other symbol to define you as an individualist, or much in the way of teens, reject general conformity, only to cling to a more niche form of conformity-- especially of one pontificates forth from that niche, condescending down to all the "sheep" and "conformists"
Its a fine line to tread, between doing, saying, wearing, viewing, what you like, and allowing those things to serve as a definition of you.

 

[StanleyVanBuren]

I wore a coat a bunch a couple weeks ago when I was in London. I saw a lot more people in London that were on the same page as me than I ever do in LA. But then again, one would expect as much just given the weather here. [huh]

SB Peak Lapel Coat by Banana Republic; Scarf by H&M; Messenger bag by J. Crew

 

[Jovan]

Here's me in a coat. Specifically, a pea coat.

I was feeling like Captain Morgan, what can I say.

 

[carebear]

That collar almost looks stood up enough to be 18th Century.

Very Wellington-ian from the shoulders up.

 

[BegintheBeguine]

7F

I ventured out last night to see a movie in an arthouse theatre and was heartened to see people bundled up. I rarely go into that neighborhood but these intelligent creatures on the sidewalks were nice and warm, wearing layers and looking nice. Then I drove home past the pick-up bars district and once again witnessed the halter top, tank top-wearing crowd freezing while walking to the meat markets (which all have coat checks) several blocks away. (Since the movie was Factory Girl I wore a vintage fur coat, darlings.)

 

[carebear]

...Then I drove home past the pick-up bars district and once again witnessed the halter top, tank top-wearing crowd freezing while walking to the meat markets (which all have coat checks) several blocks away. (Since the movie was Factory Girl I wore a vintage fur coat, darlings.)

Is smoking allowed? I will sometimes leave my nicer coats in the car and man up for a block or two rather than check it and have it stink like the rest of my clothes. Easier to launder shirt and trousers than an overcoat or leather.
But I don't go out to pick-up joints much anymore.

 

[jamespowers]

But I don't go out to pick-up joints much anymore.

How much is much? You can tell us.

Regards,

J

 

[BegintheBeguine]

Is smoking allowed? I will sometimes leave my nicer coats in the car and man up for a block or two rather than check it and have it stink like the rest of my clothes. Easier to launder shirt and trousers than an overcoat or leather.
But I don't go out to pick-up joints much anymore.

No, smoking isn't allowed much of anywhere in New York State but I know what you mean, carebear, about the smoky funk. So NOW the picker-uppers also have to shiver in the cold when they light up, I hadn't thought of that! Wear a coat, already, lovebirds.

 

[carebear]

No, smoking isn't allowed much of anywhere in New York State but I know what you mean, carebear, about the smoky funk. So NOW the picker-uppers also have to shiver in the cold when they light up, I hadn't thought of that! Wear a coat, already, lovebirds.

Well if the club is smoke-free they can be warm to and from and only shiver in 5 minute increments during the night.

James,

My name is carebear and I've been pick-up joint free for 23 weeks. :eusa_clap

Anchorage just passed a smoke-free ordinance, which I opposed and will work to overturn on libertarian grounds - but in the interim I plan to shoot a lot of pool and do some dancing without getting all stunk up. lol

 

[jamespowers]

James,

My name is carebear and I've been pick-up joint free for 23 weeks. :eusa_clap

I guess the period of DTs from withdrawal is over then?

 

[carebear]

I guess the period of DTs from withdrawal is over then?

Well, I occasionally watch E Television's "Wild On..." series. And my motives at church single's nights are less than absolutely pure...

 

[jamespowers]

Well, I occasionally watch E Television's "Wild On..." series. And my motives at church single's nights are less than absolutely pure...

lol lol lol lol lol lol

 

[Dr Doran]

Well, I occasionally watch E Television's "Wild On..." series. And my motives at church single's nights are less than absolutely pure...

My mother met my father at a Catholic singles' dance in 1955. However, before him, another fellow whom she met at the Catholic singles dances did seek to court her. She rejected him on the basis of his gambling. And she said to me, "You know, Tim, not all those men who go to the Catholic singles dances are Catholic." http://www.thefedoralounge.com/images/smilies/LOL.gif

 

[carter]

Just read this thread that hasn't had a post in a while. Having grown up in VA, spent 2 years in Seoul Korea, several very cold winter months in Chicago just a few blocks from Lake Michigan, and now residing in Dallas, I have far more cold season clothes than I need. So, whenever the thermometer drops, I like to bundle up. This doesn't happen very often.
Having been involved with the Boy Scouts for a couple of decades, I can tell you that knee socks, shorts, and a warm top (usually a red wool shirt jacket) over one's shirt, makes a surprisingly comfortable outfit. My chest and arms seem to get colder than my legs but I couldn't tell you why.
Frankly, living in TX, the thing I miss the most is Autumn in the Shenandoah Valley.

 

[Smithy]

Overcoats are popular here for obvious reasons, as are all forms of cold weather outerwear.

That's the great thing about Scandinavia, lots and lots of opportunities to wear coats, jackets, scarves, gloves, etc, etc

 

[Edward]

If it's that cold that you need a puffy coat, why would you want half of one? The way this arctic wind is blowing, an exposed abdomen is liable to be lashed wwith windburn.

In our house, cropped jackets were traditionally referred to as "bum-freezers"... I presume those sorts of waist length parkas (aside from it being a fashion thing, obviously) evolved out of flying jackets at some point.

Many people do not dress for the weather, they dress for the indoors, because they plan to spend as little time outdoors as possible. Not only do teenagers do this, but business people. They will go from their houses to their pre-heated cars in garages, from their cars to another garage and maybe have to walk a block in the cold, then they go into their warm offices, or stores, or malls and then repeat the process going home. They don't want to appear dorky in lots of clothes, plus they don't want to carry coats around with them, and they don't want to sweat, either.

I reckon so - so few folks spend any serious time outside day to day now...

I keep wishing that the big fur coats of the 30's make a comeback.

Or at least a synthetic alternative... Actually, I tried on a beautiful fake fur (in the ladies rack - hey, I don't care, I'm secure!) on Saturday, only GBP40, but they didn't have the size up i really would have needed to fit over a jacket (I was considering wearing it with some stuff from the more industrial-goth end of my wardrobe - I love to have a coat that looks right with an outfit, nothing kills a good look faster than a\ coat that is totally out of place with what you're wearing!). I've been a little wary of fake fur too though recently as there was a lot of expose in the UK that a lot of fake fur that comes from China is actually cat and dog, very inhumanely produced.

With the development of hi-tech wind resistant cloths and casual business dress, heavy-weight wool overcoats have become obsolete.

I don't know about obsolete per se, but certainly as these modern alternatives are available much cheaper, fewer people in the street are prepared to pay for traditional wool. Alas, most folks nowadays value disposable fashion, ignoring durable style.

Twenty years ago, when I graduated from college, I used to buy two sets of suits: fall/winter and spring/summer. Sort of like buying winter automobile tires. Nowadays everyone wears the spring/summer suits year around, if they wear a suit at all.

Back to us all spending so much time indoors nowadays, I suppose, that we don't need the heavier types. We have central heating in winter - folks prefer to crank that up rather than put on a jumper or a dressing gown, and in the Summer they crank the air con.... in the process, we screw up the environment, adding to more extremes of hot and cold weather, more artificial correction instead of dressing appropriately..... bah.... vicious cycle.

Also, has anyone noticed the demise of the wool sweater? Other than the thin lambswool sweater, most stores do not sell wool sweaters. The stores sell cotton sweaters year around. And I don't see too many people wearing wool sweaters anymore. Of course, when I do wear one to the office, I usually take it off. My office is way too warm for my taste.

Again, probably a cost thing. Funnily enough, a handful of zip-up hoodies aside (not very retro, but they work for some looks I do and are oh so practical worn as an additonal layer under a lighter jacket for those changeable / intermediate days), I've been sticking with more traditional woolen sweaters and brushed cotton over the last decade as a deliberate move away from the sweatshirts I wore when I was younger.

I find that's often what happens when I go places too. In California I rarely needed a coat - it hardly ever got cold enough to me to merit wearing one, and when it did the exposure to the outdoors just wasn't long enough to bother putting one on. Here in England it's a different story though. Especially since I'm stuck with public transportation. I bundle up more when I know I'm going to be stuck outside in the cold waiting for a bus.

I can see that. I know a girl from Texas, she lived in London for a few months at one stage. She'd be forever compaining of the cold here, while I complained of the heat. lol This, my ninth Summer in London, is the first one I have found bearable thanks to the unusually high rainfall and colder temperatures. Normally I really suffer with the heat. The Winter here I have acclimatised to well - too well, maybe, given how I can suffer when I go back to Ireland for Christmas!

I'm totally a coat / jacket person - it's the last layer I'll shed, shy of a t shirt. As the weather gets warmer in the spring, I first shed the sweater, then the heavier coat (casually, normally one of my pea coats, if I'm wearing a blazer or a suit, then it'll be a long overcoat) in favour of something lighter - one of my leather jackets, typically, or an even lighter denim or cloth casual jacket. I hate going anywhere outside without a jacket, I feel naked (chalk that up to the conditioning of seven years of Grammar school with a compulsory blazer). I love going around all bundled up in the Winter! The only time it can be a pain is if you're going to a club or somewhere that doesn't have a cloakroom - gigs where you want to stand on the floor all night, and have nowhere to put your stuff. A place I used to go to in Belfast was great for club nights, but when there was a band on, the cloakroom became the dressing room..... bah. Another venue did have a cloakroom but back then (pre smoking ban) the girl in charge of it sat in there and smoked all night. Damn did my coats used to stink when I'd been in there (so too did the rest of my clothes by the time I got home). I remember one gig i went to wearing a new black leather jacket, the T shirt I had on stained from the leather in the heat... I did often go to gigs back in the day avoiding wearing outerwear if i could in the winter because there was nowhere for it to go. That's something that I really appreciate in retro clubs nowadays, and I'm perfectly prepared to pay for the service!

What I always found strange was in high school when people would wear pants year round - even when it was super hot in the summer. Where were the shorts and skirts?

Heh. No way would you catch me being seen dead in a pair of short trousers - not fitting attire for a grown man, IMO! Skirts, well.... I'm halfway tempted by a kilt when the weather gets really hot. I would technically be entitled to wear a couple of different Scots tartans (on my mother's side a lot of the family ended up in Ireland from Scotland) - or there's the Irish tartans too. Course, for that warmer weather, it would have to be a Summer weight kilt...