For many years of my life cold weather used to fascinate me. I used to long for cold, dark nights, for a cup of hot chocolate in bed, the snow. In fact, my mother always called me crazy because I wanted my honeymoon to be in Lapland. Well, not anymore.
When I first moved to England a few years ago I was never grumpy in the winter. In fact, I used to walk along through the rainy and so-called miserable days with a smile on my face. Mind you, I’m still very much a cheerful soul but I’ve discovered that deep inside my heart, I am indeed a summer person. Let’s start with our wardrobes, shall we?
I’m not a naturally dapper winter dresser. For me those impractical oversized coats just don’t work. And also for those who have a little problem with sweat it’s not ideal either, especially when the heater is on, or when you have to take your coat off while on public transport or just to sit down in a restaurant.
Also, all the winter colours are so muted – lots of checks, burgundy, it makes me snore. Even the advertising in fashion magazines is such a contrast to the more colourful Spring/Summer season. Mind you, I do love good knitwear. But overall, I think Spring/Summer beats Autumn/Winter by a mile.
Even in my home country, Brazil, I tend not to follow the winter collections. I mean, Brazil is never that cold for the most part of the year, but the fact they don’t show the beachwear collections for winter is a bit of a disappointment.
Sorry winter lovers, I don’t mean to be grumpy, I just don’t subscribe to the idea that winter is the best season – one in which people look at their most elegant. All I can see is big black coats with fluff on them.
So bring me some warm mint tea, some biscuits and the papers, and I will gladly hibernate until Spring arrives again.
Fernando Augusto Pacheco is a researcher for Monocle 24.
