Does no one wear a coat any more? – have you noticed this too?

[clary]

So I am really not a big coat person. Apart from a short waterproof badged with my club that I wear when my summer officiating role includes a rainy day, I own one coat – a 5yo Seasalt rainproof coat with a hood and a cosy lining.

The main times I am outdoors tbh in cold or rain are a) watching DS play his sport or b) when I am out at an event (Christmas craft fair, trip to concert or theatre) or on a winter city break where I use public transport. Otherwise I drive to work (not accessible any other way unless you live close enough to walk).

Maybe that's it. I mean I think of myself as a coat refuser but even I wore one to work yesterday – it’s almost November, chilly and possibly rainy. But when I put it on the coat stand and then took it off at the end of the day, there was only one other coat there.

So do Gen Zs and Millennials (I am neither but there are lots at my work) just not wear coats any more? Any thoughts?

It’s been a very mild autumn so far. I have coats but have yet to feel the need to wear them this season.

Really!
They all seem to have the "no coats worn inside" rule around my way.

But that doesn’t make sense with young people as they are less likely to own cars & drive.

It's been very mild so far this autumn where I live. And still quite dry. Today and yesterday I was coatless apart from 20 mins when I had a waterproof on. The last few weeks I've worn one in the morning on my way to work but again, once it's warmed up during the day it's not been needed.

@Needmorelegoyep really my dcs primary school won’t allow them out at break without a coat if it’s raining or cold.

I drive to work but take a coat to wear if I go for a walk at lunch or somewhere after work

Boomer here. Capes not coats, since my late teens.

Oh primary schools usually yes I see kids wearing coats.
But they also usually have pegs to hang them on inside.
Secondary schools often don't have pegs or lockers so they have to be carried around all day.

I also wouldn’t think the majority of boomers wear capes instead of coats

@Needmorelego that was just an example. I work in secondaries, went to one myself & have dc in them. Plenty of coats

Glaswegian dog owner. I wear coats.

It obviously varies.
Round my way it's just blazers and more blazers but with a hat and scarf when colder.

I’m old and I have several coats. Mostly waterproofs though as I don’t really rate coats for staying warm.

my dc who are young adults - both have waterproofs but tend to layer rather than wear coats.

personally if I’m going to be outside I’m either swimming (so swimsuit plus dry robe) or wearing thermals.

I'm Gen X and I live up north. There've only been about two weeks this year when I haven't worn a bloomin' coat 😆I got really fed up when people down south were moaning all summer about being too hot and I couldn't go out without a spring coat on!

I've been wearing thick wool coats for the last few weeks.

I don't know how people stand it in this kind of weather without a coat - I've even seen people in t-shirts this week - they must be very hardy.

Agree. Works best for me, easy to shrug off, rather than struggling with sleeves, which I do.

I think they do but someone travelling everywhere by car seldom needs one.

My ds is 18 and at a car free university so he cycles or walks. He has a light jacket and a heavy ski coat with fleece liner. His request for Christmas is a lightweight waterproof coat.

Great responses thanks all.

I agree re a coat being instant smart (as long as it's a smart coat - not my 5yo waterproof) and never mind what's underneath. A very posh friend wore a long winter coat to our very cold wedding in early April and I bet she was the only warm person (I was freezing in my stupid dress haha).

Also agree re no need for coat if driving to office – the funny thing is tho that in previous years, it’s been a struggle to find a free hook for my coat so I am not sure what's changed. The office was always populated by people driving there for the most part.

I’m glad some are still wearing a coat (and yes ofc the school run in autumn/winter; not a thing in my house any more tho). But I must say I just went out on an errand that involved a 25-min walk and I wore a hoody, was not cold at all in fact somewhat warm. This is all making it hard to justify splashing out on a new coat for me tho haha.

EA I don’t have a dog btw. I do see that dog-walking requires a coat. Probs not the MaxMara wool one tho :)

I often wish ponchos would become trendy again for the rare occasion I do get chilly.

London is a different kettle of fish from where I live in the NW. it's head to foot rainwear and woolly hats from now on until spring!

I’m a Londoner & coats are normal for many of us

Midlands here, i am always amazed when it hits about 18 degrees and wherever I go people are in giant coats! Interesting people saying they dont bother grabbing a coat if they are driving, as that makes sense. Whereas I run cold but get too hot and sweaty walking so im always under-coated!
I also love coats and jackets, have way too many of them then only end up wearing 2 of them on rotation... i also have a cold weather - no rain coat as others have mentioned, a beautiful furry multicoloured number that brings me SUCH joy and many compliments from strangers.

DC used to only take a mac because of that rule - a common one here as well. There was no cover out front either but no coats inside ever.

Once they got to college could wear coats - and they were bought proper winter one but they seem to prefer jackets - or layers of jacket/thin rain coat or underlays and top layers which they then adjust. Apaprently carrying round large coats is a pain - though I used to have to do it in secondary - and layers easier to manage.

Even walking - which can leave you hot - and waiting round for bus - when you do tend to get cold they prefer layers to large coats.

If you are in and out a car, tube or taxi or even brisk walking in cities that can warm you put especially if in and out of shops -- large coats tend to be a pain.

Bus and trains when stood round in cold area sometime longer than expected do seem layers or thick coats as do long lesurely dog walks in exposed areas.

That was my point, it varies 😆

I actually managed to persuade my mum to make me a cape a couple of years ago which I use every Christmas when my choir sings outside.

i fucking loathe wool coats - expensive, itchy, smell horrendous in the rain and genuinely don’t keep you warm.

since going through the menopause I run a lot warmer than I used to and I’m certainly still in t shirts and occasionally a light jumper.

thermals for volunteering at park run

I have never owned heavy wool coats though, impractical with tube/bus/rain/walking. Puffers are perfect as lightweight to carry but keep you warm.