Why Do Teens Wear Hoodies and Jeans in 93-Degree Heat?

Friends, it was 93 degrees in Berlin, the sun was beating down, I was wearing the lightest, airiest clothes I own, and I was daydreaming about a backyard pool.

My two younger kids were running around the yard in as little fabric as possible, loving the sprinkler. Only my older kids (12 and 15) looked like it was 55 degrees and cloudy: jeans, T-shirt, white socks, sneakers, hoodie. Come to think of it, on this scorching day they were simply wearing what they wear all year long…

Open shoes? Not happening. Shorts? Really only for soccer, and for my daughter a flat-out no-go. A hat for sun protection? Absolutely not! What about all those cute sundresses, colorful tops, flowy skirts, and cool shorts? Why doesn't either of you ever wear lemon yellow, bright blue, or green? Why black, white, navy, and gray, all year long? Not that I got an answer to any of my questions. There was, of course, nothing but eye-rolling. And when I asked, “How are you going to do this on vacation? Are you going to wear sneakers to the beach, too?” the answer was, “Mom, chill.”

What was in style when you were a teen?

As always, when you can't quite figure out teenagers, it helps to look back at your own teen years. And I was pretty out of sync with the seasons myself. One winter, denim jackets were huge with us, and of course so were low-rise jeans (Miss Sixty). The result: I wore a crop top and nothing but a denim jacket even when it was below freezing, never a winter coat. I remember my mom begging me to dress differently, or else I'd get a terrible kidney infection (I ignored the begging, and I never got a kidney infection, either).

And there was one summer when long-sleeved flannel shirts were all the rage with us, and I wouldn't have taken mine off even at 104 degrees in the shade. Maybe you remember something you wore that makes no sense at all looking back, but that was incredibly important at the time?

I asked AI why teenagers are so often seen in long pants and sleeves in the summer. Here's what it said:

“Teenagers often prefer long pants, even in warm weather, because they give a feeling of security and comfort. Loose baggy jeans or comfy sweatpants are a central part of today's teen fashion and serve as armor, distracting from physical insecurities and helping them fit in with the group. The reasons in detail:

• Self-confidence & body image: During puberty, teens go through major physical changes. Long pants hide growing legs, scars, skin problems, or a sense of embarrassment about their bodies.
• Fashion trend: Today's streetwear culture is dominated by oversized cuts (like baggy pants and cargo pants). Shorts often don't fit that relaxed or sporty overall look. 
• Peer pressure: Nobody wants to stand out. When everyone their age is walking around in long pants and hoodies, there's an urge to dress exactly the same way.
• Climate & temperature: Loose-fitting long pants made of thin fabrics (like linen or lightweight cotton) let air circulate and also protect against wind, sun, and insect bites.”

What do you think of the AI's answers? When I ask my kids, they simply say, “Because it looks good.” And maybe this is just one of those things you can only feel when you're a teenager, and as a grown-up you can sit back and think, “This phase will pass, and if he's sweating, then he's sweating!”

Or as Lisa always says: “It's not a life-threatening situation, so it's all good.” So I've decided to offer the teens, one more time, that they can go shopping for summer clothes on my dime. Otherwise, I'll be handing out cold drinks and sticking my bare feet in the kiddie pool.