March. Is it spring? Is it winter? Or is it a touch of both seasons? Whatever this month may be, this conflict between hot or cold truly leaves the world confused.
One morning, you are styling a skirt or a pair of shorts, the next, layers upon layers of clothing stacked against you to keep warm. Weathermen, animals, flowers and your immune system, are all befuddled due to the severe daily changes in temperature. However, the weather has no hold on fashion.
“I think if the sun is out and it’s warm outside why would you wear a jacket? I think that’s just torture!” said junior Anni Lehmann. “You should wear whatever you want to wear, but, if it would make you sick I don’t think it’s the best idea”.
Celebrities and influencers like Rihanna, Dua Lipa and Gigi Hadid have continuously ignored the outdoor temperatures to walk the streets in impractical outfits.
Bella Hadid spending a night out in 17-degree New York City
Kate Holmes in New York City, a 90-degree summer day in a knitted sweater dress
This trend has shifted to teenagers, convincing them that a simple hoodie is sufficient in frigid weather. Whether you bring a jacket or not, if it is 20 degrees outside, the classrooms of a school are not going to keep your bare arms and legs comfortable. But you look nice and that is what matters, right?
Recently there has been snow on the ground, yet Masuk students were walking the halls in short sleeves and tank-tops.
Paris Hilton walking the snowy streets during New York Fashion Week
The importance of fashion and the need to “dress to impress” has simply pushed everyone’s well-being aside.
It is known that an outfit is the image of one’s personality, and the importance of dressing in a way you feel comfortable is a form of self awareness. Sweats might be an at home apparel, and the thought of leaving home in a set is embarrassing, rather than leaving home in a flattering dress.
It is important to dress how you like, however, there is a fine line between comfortable and safe. That floral skirt sitting in your drawer is nice, but right now, it is safer to just wear a pair of jeans. Yet stubbornness persists over common sense, and if you do not feel like wearing them, you will not, leaving your skin free for the bitter cold.
According to the CDC, flu season peaks in the months of December and February. Low temperatures can increase the likelihood of getting sick. The body is weak in the cold and low temperatures cause blood vessels to constrict. When this happens, your respiratory tract gets fewer white blood cells that it needs to ward off respiratory infections like influenza and bacterial pneumonia. When cold air enters the nose and upper airways, viruses, such as the common cold and the flu spread more easily in the winter.
During the chilly season, staying inside seems like the safest option. However, by doing this, you are limiting your sun exposure, lowering your body’s vitamin D, which is linked to influenza, a weakened immune system, plus a variety of health issues including fatigue, achiness and even cancer.
The sudden switch to warmer weather, and the interchanging temperatures of late February and early March leave your immune system vulnerable to illnesses after being cooped up inside for three months.
When teenagers switch out their winter clothing for lighter wear despite their body being at its weakest, they are now susceptible to viruses, or conditions such as frostbite and hypothermia.
Sophomore Ava Jackson is one to let the weather influence her OOTD (outfit of the day): “ If it’s cold I wear warm things like sweats. If it’s raining and cold I wear a long sleeve shirts…If it’s above 60 degrees I’ll wear a skirt with no tights and a sweater because it’s fairly warm enough to wear a T-shirt. At 65 I’ll wear a skirt and a long sleeve shirt because then it’s warm enough to not wear a sweater.”
Jackson is well prepared when it comes to dressing for the conditions outside, having also prepared a color scheme for the different seasons.
“During the winter, I wear very cool boring tones, but in the summer I wear a lot of neon and bright colors,” she said.
Meanwhile, Sophomore Muriel Bailey generates her daily attire based on her mood, rather than what the forecast says: “On days where I feel good, I like to wear something nice like a nice shirt and jeans, but when I’m sad, I wear sweatpants and sweatshirts.”
On certain days, Bailey likes to sport short sleeves despite the cold weather. “[Weather affecting your outfits] definitely matters, but I like these tops [short sleeves], but I still bring a sweater for when it’s cold” she said
Catching a cold is a preventable illness, and with the right care, one may go for a year or two escaping the suffering of viruses. If you’re one to fall ill easily, do not follow what is trendy; it is important to keep healthy and a simple outfit for one day can make that happen.
Masuk Free Press 