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Bella Yancey
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Every year we see teens wearing hoodies despite the scorching summer heat. This could be for many reasons such as warmth, protection, or comfort but, is it possible that it boils down to a more psychological issue? Researchers have hypothesized that perhaps hoodies serve a similar function as weighted blankets. Weighted blankets have been said to support people on the autism spectrum, suffering from insomnia, or dealing with anxiety or hyperactivity. Even though on a surface level teens choose hoodies for physical comfort, could their subconscious minds be pushing them to wear hoodies due to emotional comfort as well? Hoodies could also be a security blanket for teens dealing with body image concerns. Usually, hoodies are not form-fitting, hiding one's silhouette. When a teen with body image issues wears a baggy hoodie, it makes them feel more confident, comfortable, and secure in their self-image. When teens wear hoodies, despite the summer weather, it shows that hoodies do more than just provide physical comfort. There is also the more obvious reason that teens wear hoodies regardless of the heat, which is school temperatures. With school starting and summer transitioning into fall, it results in a confusing conversation about when it is appropriate to start wearing fall clothing. What is also confusing is the manner in which schools decide what temperature to keep their classrooms. With it being 80 degrees outside and it being what feels like 40 degrees in school, it makes choosing outfits for school a never-ending battle. This is why most students wear a hoodie. With a hoodie, you can wear a t-shirt underneath to combat the bipolar weather by having the option to take the hoodie off. Each teen has their own specific reason why they wear a hoodie in the summer heat, and maybe it is not as unusual as it seems.
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