When it’s so cold that stepping outside feels like knives to your face, a winter coat is a necessary closet staple. Cornell students regularly encounter freezing temperatures, which sometimes even fall into subzero ranges. While walking around campus, shrinking into my own coat for warmth, I have noticed a couple of different styles of coats that tend to be particularly popular — as well as some traits about the people who tend to wear them.
The Long Coat
This calf-length winter coat allows the wearer to conserve as much heat as possible by offering warmth for the legs. Though somewhat restrictive of movement (running fast in a coat like this would surely cause someone to fall), those who choose to call a jacket like this their best friend gladly accept this fact in exchange for a bit of extra comfort. However, due to the coat’s structure, long coat wearers tend to be slow walkers. Anyone in a rush to get to class should not walk behind them. Calf-length coat wearers are particularly sensitive to the cold and love sunny, tropical weather. They probably fantasize about being on a beach as sleet bombards their faces on the way to class. On especially cold days, students will wear tall, fluffy winter boots with these calf-length coats, effectively minimizing the chance that any icy air will touch their skin.
The Fur Hood
Winter coats that have hoods outlined with faux fur are perfect for a pop of color in a gray, snowy landscape. Wearers of coats with fur hoods tend to wear wide, fluffy scarves weaved in intricate patterns around their faces to block out the wind. The scarves, colorful and vibrant, allow the wearer’s personality to shine through their heavy coats. Together, the fur and the scarf lets students introduce some extra flair into their outerwear without sacrificing warmth. However, since wearers tend to be buried underneath their hoods and scarves, it is challenging to recognize them.
These hoods are also always disproportionately large for the wearer’s head, so don’t expect people with coats like these to use their peripheral vision effectively. When crossing the street, it is guaranteed that there will be someone with a fur hood slowly spinning in a circle. Due to their large hoods and fur embellishments, wearers are unable to tell if there is a car coming simply by turning their heads. These students prioritize keeping their heads and faces warm, even at the expense of visibility.
The Waist-Length Regular
If Mama Bear from Goldilocks and the Three Bears had a coat, this would be hers — the standard, in-between, just right kind of style. Warm, practical and stylish, this coat hits all of the checkboxes. It’s more lightweight than longer styles, so it is easy to carry around, fold and store during class — making it a convenient option for everyday wear. Students who opt for this style of coat value versatility and practicality, since they are always on the move from class to class or other on-campus activities. However, a notable downside is the minimal leg coverage, which makes it hard for the wearer to conserve much body heat. This makes me wonder if some people that have waist-length coats wear two pairs of pants regularly, such as leggings under jeans, in an attempt to offset this issue.
The Trench Coat
Make way for the fashionistas as they stroll past you with a latte in hand, looking effortlessly sophisticated, chic and most admirably, not cold at all. These types of coats are most often beige-colored with brown buttons or black cashmere, and they are often worn unbuttoned, revealing an equally stylish outfit underneath. Trench coat wearers take their style very seriously. They often accessorize with trendy sunglasses, big hoop earrings or maybe even high-heeled boots. Catch them near the Human Ecology Building — they probably major in fashion, or they might be someone from the business school on the way to their next interview.
The No-Coat
Picture this: The wind is whipping mercilessly, punishing anyone standing outside with some sort of perpetual brain freeze. However, surprisingly enough, no-coat wearers stand outside unfazed. These legendary no-coat wearers deserve acclamation, as they apparently have superpowers that allow them to maintain unrealistically high body temperatures in extremely cold conditions. Commonly spotted outside of Noyes Fitness Center, these troopers march around campus daringly, fitted only with a hoodie. The especially dedicated warriors will even wear shorts — it isn’t rare to see a few with t-shirts, either.
Personally, I swear by my long, calf-length coat. It is like my own personal shield, and I am very grateful for it (even if I slightly resemble a burrito as I trudge up Libe Slope). I am every bit as sensitive to the cold as I have argued other long-coat wearers are, and reminisce about long summer days. Of course, not everyone will fall neatly into these categories. Different people naturally gravitate towards different coats, and each type comes with different personality traits. The variety of coat styles on campus reveal how individual students navigate extreme weather. Warmth and practicality should come first, but one’s personality need not be stifled by the cold.
Angelina Lei is a sophomore in the College of Human Ecology. She can be reached at al2733@cornell.edu
