I have a special affinity for fingerless gloves. One time, a pair of such gloves in olive-drab, paired with a shapeless, dark gray thrift-store coat, almost got me evicted from a downtown Anchorage hotel on suspicion of being a homeless person. But I digress. My real topic of interest today is the endless war between practicality and looks that the likes of me engage in when choosing our wardrobe.

Generally, when I have worn fingerless gloves, it’s because I think they look cool. And while I do understand their use (under outer mittens, for example, which mittens can be briefly removed when some task involving dexterity is indicated), they are not enormously useful as one’s primary source of warmth for one’s hands.

As a teenager, I agonized for hours over two pairs of hiking boots: one that fit like a dream, and the other that, while well on its way to raising blisters after just a few circuits around the store, had a tapered and elegant look that I aspired to. The comfortable ones, I thought, made my feet look like eggplants, and heaven forbid that the handsome boy hikers should be exposed to a sight like that. I chose the hurty ones, telling myself that they would “break in” over time. The young salesman concurred, probably just so we could both get on with our lives.

And then there was that still earlier time (among many) when my parents dressed me up warmly to attend an evening football game. I had boots, snow pants, hat, scarf, and mittens, along with my heavy coat, and could have played outside comfortably for many hours. However, when I saw the other kids playing with open jackets and bare heads, I hid behind my mother until it was time to go home. I am sure I pictured myself looking like little Randy* on his way to school.

And a sleeveless down vest. . .what’s up with that? These were all the rage when I was in high school. I suppose they were to be worn under a light-yet-strong outer jacket, awesomely referred to as a “shell”, so that one could have extra warmth for one’s torso but still have plenty of mobility in the arms. However, if you just put on a sweatshirt under your vest, I guarantee your arms will get cold.

Can a person feel good about her appearance, and still feel good? Older, wiser me might start with an actual coat, a pair of complete gloves, and footwear that fits. 

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*For your further edification:

A Christmas Story, Randy’s snow outfit scene: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MqxkUXAFedI