Field notes from UTSC’s undercover fashion researcher
Notes on winter fashion at UTSC, perfect for anyone looking to survive the cold weather yet keep up their winter style. Written by Lydia Fashun (a totally real name and definitely not a fabricated person, or is it?)
Winter fashion has its challenges. See how UTSC students navigate dressing for the weather with style. (Illustration by: Mitra Arianfar // The Underground).
Research Questions: Is winter a fashionable time of year? Is it possible to look cool but stay warm? Are university students simply too broke to attempt being fashionable anyway?
SECTION I: OBSERVATIONS
Day one: Jan. 20
3:06 p.m. – AA building. The sky is clear, and the sunshine gives an impression of warmth. Do not fall for it. It’s actually -11 ℃ and feels like -21 ℃. Snow piles high on the banks of cleared paths and the wind flaps scarves this way and that like a petulant child. I’ve set up indoors, but perhaps I should go outside to really immerse myself in the field.
3:09 p.m. – Nope. Absolutely not. It’s freezing out there. Will just look out the window for outdoor fashion observations.
3:15 p.m. – It seems students don’t care about the weather when it comes to footwear, with shoes and boots being worn in equal measure.
Day two: Jan. 22
2:12 p.m. – AA building again. Still cold.
2:25 p.m. – People seem to prefer dark colours for their coats. A black jacket is a safe choice, but it recalls the sentiment of Miranda Priestly’s famous words in “The Devil Wears Prada”: “Florals? For spring? Groundbreaking.” There have been some exceptions like coats in brown and green, earthy colours that look forward to spring.
2:36 p.m. – Have yet to see the mythical Student-Who-Wears-Shorts-in-Winter. Does such a person really exist?
2:41 p.m. – One might think that winter is a difficult time to be fashionable, since bulky coats cover up outfits. However, if you pay attention, you’ll notice a great deal of personality being expressed through the little things. Wool scarves in every variety of colour and pattern, whimsical bag charms and pins. Even the bags themselves are interesting, with students sporting everything from traditional backpacks to messenger bags to totes that will fall off your shoulder.
Day three: Jan. 29
3:12 p.m. – It is so cold that it hurts. I entered the building ten minutes ago, and I’m still thawing. Should’ve studied summer fashion instead.
3:14 p.m. – Spotted someone outdoors wearing no coat at all?? Surely a cold-induced hallucination? If not, this is far more astounding than wearing shorts in the winter.
3:37 p.m. – Students seem to favour warm puffer jackets, and Isra Ahmed is one such student. Wearing a long brown puffer jacket, she told me, “It might not be fashionable but it keeps me warm.” As we took a walk outdoors, she added, through freezing huffs and puffs, that “it’s too cold to be fashionable.” Fair enough.
Field sketches of students’ winter fashion choices. Students wear a variety of coat styles, while accessorizing with hats, scarves, key chains, and pins. (Illustration by: Mitra Arianfar // The Underground).
SECTION II: STUDENT INTERVIEW
Name: Selena Warcop
Description: Third-year student majoring in Public Policy and City Studies
Q: What do you go for when it comes to winter outfits? Do you prioritize comfort over aesthetics or vice versa?
A: Comfort, comfort, comfort! I don’t want my feet to freeze. Also, I don’t know how you can even be aesthetic in the winter? You’re literally just becoming a ball of layers. Like do we make the ball fun colours or what?
Q: What about accessories? Scarves, hats, etc.?
A: I need scarves actually, scarves can be cute. But good scarves are too expensive, like if we want quality wool, we have to pay a lot for it.
Q: How about colours and textures? Do you favour certain shades or styles?
A: Fun colours are more expensive, so I just get what’s cheap and warm. Also, the salt is horrendous, so I choose to not get black boots.
Q: You seem to prioritize being warm when it comes to winter fashion. Any tips for students also looking to be as warm as possible amidst the cold weather?
A: KEEP THE AIR OUT. How I stay warm is I have thick gloves and I have my coat sleeves wrapped around my wrists so no cold air gets in. Same with my scarf and ear muffs, I literally encapsulate my head. It makes my entire upper body stay warm. And jackets need to cover your butt, I am so deadass, you stay so much warmer and more comfortable. Also, wear good boots that aren’t loose. Loose boots mean air gets in which means cold feet which means frost bite. Literally, the more babushka you look, the better.
SECTION III: CONCLUSION
Temperatures reaching -20 ℃, snow falling with an unending persistence. Treacherous roads and slush splattered underfoot. How could anyone manage to stay warm and fashionable in this weather? Somehow, UTSC students are making an effort towards both.
Most prioritize warmth, dressing in puffer jackets and boots. Opt for dark or neutral coloured coats to blend in. Otherwise, try bright colours or different textures like fur. Go further and try out various accessories, which are usually available in a wide range of styles and costs, making it easy for anyone to level up their winter style.
While the cold weather is brutal and may make you regret leaving the house at all, UTSC students are showing ways to stay warm while still expressing personality and style. Through the little things like scarves, bag charms, and hats, students manage to tell the world about themselves—and in the dead of winter, when spring still hangs far out of reach, it’s the little things that bring us joy and keep us going.
