Open Letter to Fashion Oriented People

So, it is winter time in the Midwest. The college students have once more arrived on campus. The temp outside is a lovely balmy 17° (-8.33° Celsius). The game of the day with college students and many staff members is "Even though I am freezing, appearance is all that matters."

When it is less that 20° outside, you need to dress warm people. Your $280 North Face jackets in this year's colors are not designed for this weather. I don't care how many times the sales person or your best friend told you the jacket looks great on you, or when they said the wind-stop lining will keep you toasty warm, while you checked out your own butt in the store mirror. The jackets are expensive fashion items, they are not made to keep you warm. If they did you would notice more construction workers and day laborers wearing them instead of Carhartt brand outer wear.

Buy a warm coat, parka, overcoat and hang up your pretty coat till Spring. If you try the coat on in the store and do not break out in a sweat, it will probably not keep you warm when you are outside.

And look into some quality long underwear. If it has little snowflakes printed on it, it is not long underwear, it is something you wear to look cute at bedtime.

Layers always beat out form fitting. I know you want to look pretty all the time. But seriously, no one thinks its sexy to see your skin red and raw, your lips turning blue, you shivering uncontrollably, and a look of pain on your face while you are walking around outside.

But, if you still think that appearance is more important that personal comfort, feel free to keep doing what you are doing. It gives the rest of us something to laugh out.