Bostonians are commonly known for being Dunkin’ addicts, liberals and marathon runners. They are also known for their bizarre winter clothing habits. Everyone, especially those living in the city of Boston, has seen at least one person who seems almost obligated to wear shorts, no matter the forecast, as if they are incapable of dressing otherwise. While this may seem like a harmless fashion choice, wearing shorts in the winter does much more harm than one can imagine.
No one should be outside wearing shorts if the weather does not call for it. If you do, not only are you going to get weird stares from strangers, but you will also be putting yourself in harm’s way. Although the idea that you will catch a cold by dressing inadequately for cold weather isn’t necessarily true, what is factual is that it can make you physiologically weaker, increasing your chances of catching a virus.
Furthermore, dressing recklessly in the cold has been proven to worsen medical conditions already common in Americans, like arthritis. In the United States, at least 58 million people suffer from arthritis, and the pain they face is only inflated once the weather starts to drop. How do you stop this from happening? The most obvious solution is to put on layers to stay warm.
Boston, moreover, is fortunate enough to have four seasons, so why would you waste the privilege of experiencing each of them in their own distinct way? Wearing shorts year-round decreases the pleasure of making the transition to shorts for summertime. Winter is hard as it is, and many people count the days until the weather hits 70 degrees. Instead of wearing shorts when it is cold, try living in the moment and dress appropriately for each season to appreciate Boston’s unique seasons.
Wearing shorts when it is far too cold outside can additionally affect your social or emotional well-being negatively. A quick search of “shorts in winter” on TikTok will pull up millions of posts mocking those who choose this questionable option. These posts can lead to those who opt for shorts in winter to feel insecure.
Frequent shorts wearer Carl Gehring (III) comments, “People look surprised when they see me wearing shorts when it’s cold out.” Though Gehring sports his shorts proudly despite stares, for others, the looks of shocked classmates can lead to a sense of alienation.
If anything, many believe that wearing shorts in the winter “gives pick-me energy” — in other words, it signals that one is an attention seeker. Mason Finn (VI) remarks, “It’s childish. Who are you trying to impress by wearing shorts in the winter? It’s so cringey; I don’t get it.” Whether it is for attention or not, society will end up thinking it is, which can lead to negative impressions of oneself.
Despite the difference in opinion, wearing shorts in winter is almost a uniform for many in Boston. Boston Latin School English teacher Mr. Richard Beyer comments, “I think Bostonians are stubborn and don’t care about style most days.” Making a fashion statement is considerably harder to achieve when you only wear shorts, since it limits your wardrobe. Lack of fashion also negatively impacts tourists’ perception of Boston. Tourists may give Boston a zero out of five stars because of its lack of fashion sense and individuality, and visit less as a result.
At the end of the day, everybody has freedom of expression and the choice to wear whatever they feel like, so dress how you want. If you would like to wear shorts when there is a blizzard outside, go for it! Be ready, however, to face the consequences that come with your decision, including health repercussions and looks of scorn. You will stand out in a crowd with people around you who think that you are crazy, want attention or have no fashion sense.