Going out in the winter poses a problem for outfit choices
Brutal cold is rolling in,which means students are rolling out to class dressed in puffy coats, thick gloves and wooly scarves.
Bundling up for class is essential for the trek across campus, but a problem presents itself when it comes to properly layering for the Friday night walk to Court Street.
Students have to search for clothing options that suit both the frigid walk and the heat of the crowded Uptown Athens bars and restaurants.
For men and women, wearing a winter coat and hat can be unrealistic in a bar setting. There is constant movement and body contact with others, and body temperature rises in tandem with blood-alcohol content levels.
Coats are a hassle to carry around when there is nowhere available to sit, and leaving a coat tucked in a booth or on a table runs the risk of theft.
Despite a few exceptions such as The Pub, 39 N. Court St., Lucky’s Sports Tavern, 11 N. Court St. and Tony’s Tavern, 7 W. State St., most bars are not equipped with a coat closet or coat hooks.
Pawpurr’s Bar, 37 N. Court St., does not have hooks for coats or any other outerwear.
“People just leave (coats) on the back of chairs or on our little tables,” Theresa Mercuri, a senior studying communications and a bartender at Pawpurr’s, said.
Even with the lack of spaces, Mercuri said the bar is not confronted about many lost coats, mainly just wallets.
For women, a happy medium can be reached by pairing a cute dress with a long cardigan, or skinny jeans with a leather jacket. Wearing fleece tights or leggings under a pair of jeans can also keep legs warm for the journey Uptown.
“I usually deal with the cold weather by trying to look cute and casual,” Tiffany Goldstein, a freshman studying broadcast journalism, said.
Some of Goldstein’s favorite cold weather fashion items are oversized sweaters and her over-the-knee Steve Madden boots.
For a male, a sweater paired with a puffer vest and jeans will get the job done. The popular L.L Bean boots are stylish and hardy enough for snow and slush.
“I think that wearing just a simple sweater with a long-sleeved casual button down shirt underneath is a good idea,” Bryan Daly, a freshman studying music therapy, said.
The key is balancing warmth with the possibility of overheating in the crowded bars.
“If you get hot in the bar, just take off the sweater. You'll still look nice, and you may be able to give a lady your sweater if she’s cold,” Daly said.
Even if the bars are not the final destination, combating the cold while still looking stylish can still be an issue for students just walking around Athens.
“I never go out, but when I do I typically wear a long-sleeved shirt, a light button up shirt or a sweatshirt,” Casi Reed, a senior studying magazine journalism, said.
In the case of extremely cold conditions, students can call Athens Green Cab, 740-594-7336. This service costs $3 for a one-way trip and will take patrons directly to their Uptown destination.
“I usually call a cab if I’m going Uptown,” Goldstein said. “It's hard to wear a cute outfit out when it's so cold here.”
@katekevvv
kk940213@ohio.edu
