While walking into Entrance A during the colder seasons, only some students are found wearing coats. According to some, it can be looked at as “embarrassing”, especially when having to carry it around during the school day. But should that be the real worry? Or should students be more focused on staying warm during the cold winter season?
Opinions vary, but there seems to be a trend that the upperclassmen tend to be more willing to wear their coats than the underclassmen are.
In a recent poll sent to the students of WEGO with 96 participants from all grade levels, 24% reported not wearing a coat to school.
Those who do not wear coats
“I usually double-layer, and I don’t feel the need to wear [a coat],” freshman Izzy Adams said.
When students make cautious wardrobe choices, there may be no need for the extra coat layer to bring them warmth.
“I wear a sweatshirt, and it’s like uncomfortable,” freshman Ally Voight said.
As Voight explains, for some, it can be uncomfortable to wear a coat over the clothes they choose to wear.
Junior James Thein first agrees that wearing a coat is a good decision given the temperatures outside; however, he then shares a downside to wearing one.
“It’s not good because you lose aura,” Thein said.
Some choose not to wear a coat due to the inconvenience of having to put it away.
One Instagram follower said, “I’m outside for a total of maybe 15 minutes today, so if I had a coat it would be pointless because it’s awkward to carry inside, and you have to go out of your way to put it in your locker so there’s no point having a coat because you won’t freeze in 15 minutes outside.”
Those who wear coats
“The school is really cold, especially on the third floor,” freshman Annette Garcia said.
Certain areas of the school are colder than others. As Garcia explains, the third floor is known as one of the colder areas. According to some, the math and science wing also typically runs cold.
Having classes in these areas of the school can be hard to focus on if a student feels cold. Bringing a coat to school allows students the opportunity to wear it not only on the walk into school, but also during class to stay warm.
Many people think of coats as a bulky, unflattering article of clothing, but others use them as a fashion statement. Coats from brands like Carhartt and North Face are currently trending, and can be used to put together an outfit. Junior Olivia Smith echoes this idea that a coat can be a key part of an outfit.
“It makes your outfits look good,” Smith said.
For some, the choice to wear a coat is as simple as wanting to be comfortable.
“It keeps me warm, and I like being warm,” freshman Diana Silva said.
Can being outside in the cold actually make you sick?
Often, the phrase “bundle up, or you will catch a cold” gets thrown around during the wintertime. Especially coming from parents to their children. However, this phrase is actually a myth.
According to CVS, the cold temperature itself will not cause someone to get a cold. However, the cold temperatures do weaken the immune system.
Due to the cold temperatures compromising the immune system, viruses thrive in colder temperatures. Along with that, because of the cold temperatures, people tend to stay inside, making viruses more susceptible to spreading due to close contact.
People should value their health and do what’s necessary to preserve it, even if it means wearing a coat to school.