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-   -   Why does everyone in Florida wear shorts and a tee shirt even when the weather is down right COLD? (https://www.fodors.com/community/united-states/why-does-everyone-in-florida-wear-shorts-and-a-tee-shirt-even-when-the-weather-is-down-right-cold-306648/)

bunchargum Apr 13th, 2003 09:57 AM

Why does everyone in Florida wear shorts and a tee shirt even when the weather is down right COLD?
 
I just returned from a trip to the Orlando area. For a few days last week the weather was just plain cold and miserable. Grey clouds, rain, and high winds. The afternoon temps were in the 50s. Though it appeared that nearly everyone I saw was wearing just a tee shirt and shorts. Everyone looked like they were freezing to death as the cold wind blew through DisneyWorld but no one (except for us) would admit it was cold and wear a jacket.<BR><BR>Is it a badge of honor in Florida to underdress and insist on wearing shorts even if it is cold and windy? What is the story?

Syv Apr 13th, 2003 10:01 AM

50's ? Cold ???<BR><BR>We've been getting a few spring days lately just reaching the 50's &amp; everyone here in Ontario Canada is coming out in less &amp; less clothing as well. Snow still on the ground in some spots but short-sleeve T-shirts, skirts, etc, abound on these &quot;balmy&quot; spring days!<BR><BR>Glad to see the sunshine &amp; robins back!<BR> :-)<BR><BR>

mclaurie Apr 13th, 2003 10:03 AM

That's all they packed in their suitcases :)

Nina66 Apr 13th, 2003 12:34 PM

mclaurie... you hit the nail on the head!<BR><BR>

bob_brown Apr 13th, 2003 01:56 PM

I never understood that either. I think it is a mental situation; people think they are warm because they are in Florida. <BR><BR>One friend of mine had a convertible and he would take the top down as soon as he reached the Florida welcome station on I-75 regardless of the temperature.<BR>At least he did not lower the top if it was raining. <BR><BR>

ccolor Apr 13th, 2003 02:14 PM

Shoot! - it wasn't the locals wearing shorts, etc. it was we tourists that have come down from a cold state and by G*d we're going to wear summer clothes and like it!! We just got back from Key Largo to Ohio and I'm speaking from experience.........

OliveOyl Apr 13th, 2003 03:47 PM

I felt so sorry for you all who were here when that cold front came through last Thursday. Freaky and awful! I do feel badly for folks paying $$$ for their rooms only to have 3 bad days like we had with that front. We'd just been in TX and had experienced the same front as it went through there...it gave San Antonio the lowest temps it had had for that date in 130 years of record keeping. We got on a plane Wednesday, arriving home just in time to experience it yet again here. <BR><BR>As to why the shorts...I think that is what most people have brought (I know I didn't have clothes for it in San Antonio!) so that's what they have on. Then there are some who really don't feel the cold as intensely because they are still used to much colder weather. Most likely though...it's people who packed like we did..for normal temps, never expecting the freaky front to rain on their parade.

Postal Apr 13th, 2003 04:49 PM

My family and I live in Orlando and we were wearing our leather jackets through that cold! And yes, to us, in the low 50's is VERY cold!

a321sesame Apr 13th, 2003 07:34 PM

At Diseny World in the middle of April I'd say most of the crowd would be tourists...I was born and raised in Fort Lauderdale but have spent the last 4.5 years in Madison, Wi (School)---there people break out the shorts and tank tops sometimes when it hits 45 after a long cold winter.....as for the &quot;True Floridians&quot; they break out the ski coats in the 50's......In December one of the big news stories of the night was &quot;The Big Chill&quot; at 55 degrees....and they were showing the heat lamps they put up at South Beach and people in ski coats....all the European tourists (and us from up north) were still swimming at the beach! I think temperature is a relative term when you have been experiencing -30 wind chills for a week!

Cerlaurie Apr 14th, 2003 07:17 AM

I agree with Syv. I am in Chicago and when it is in the 50s and sunny people take off their coats and start wearing T-shirts and sandals.

Kostroma Apr 14th, 2003 07:57 AM

The company that I work for in suburban Seattle is the corporate headquarters of several businesses around the country. A few of the employees of one of our businesses based in Anchorage, AK come down every December. The Seattle area averages in the 40s that time of year and they walk around in shorts and scoff at us when we say it's cold.

E Apr 14th, 2003 08:07 AM

For what it's worth...hight temp was 68 this weekend in the Twin Cities and I saw MANY people in shorts, tees and sandals, even some halter tops. Go figure.

suzanne Apr 14th, 2003 09:02 AM

I see the opposite down in Florida when I go and visit my parents. People wear BOOTS and COATS when it drops below 65 degrees. But they're in an area with very few tourists!<BR><BR>I bought a great fur-lined hat and mittens when I was down there in December. They are the warmest things I own...I only wear them when it goes below 30 degrees here in NY. I am shocked they would even sell this stuff in southern Florida!

cruisin_tigger Apr 14th, 2003 09:17 AM

Was in Key West in January during a cold front and the conch train driver announced that the wind chill was 38 degrees! I just had to laugh because here in Chicago that would be balmy wind chill.

rhtt Apr 14th, 2003 09:48 AM

Very simple - either they're visitors working on their tans, or they're locals and have just braved a decidely cold 60-degree winter. Below 60, they break out the pastel windbreakers for early bird dress-up. Or perhaps it's one of those jokes locals play on the snow birds. The locals are freezing their behinds off, but love a good prank.

Chele60 Apr 14th, 2003 09:59 AM

We get that quite a bit in So Cal. Typically, they are tourists who were only expecting hot, clear weather and didn't pack for the unexpected. (After all, in never does rain in Southern California, right? &lt;roll eyes&lt;)<BR><BR>There are some locals here who wear shorts all year round and try to say that the 40 degree temperature &quot;is not that bad.&quot; They are the ones the rest of us call &quot;looney&quot; and dismiss. For those of us in warmer climes, 40/50 is freakin' COLD!

gracie Apr 15th, 2003 01:45 PM

In northwest Florida, we get &quot;winter visitors&quot; from Canada, the midwest and the northern U.S. They arrive in November and depart in March. They are usually over 60 years old. You can always tell the visitors from the locals in that the visitors wear shorts in 50 and 60 degree weather in January. They'll be playing golf in shorts when the locals have on long pants.

ccolor Apr 16th, 2003 03:16 AM

Gracie: That's 'cause our ol' northern blood is thicker and the sun just feel soooooo good on cold bones!

beachdreams Apr 16th, 2003 06:52 AM

Personally, you will not catch me in shorts until it reaches the mid 70's and then it has to be sunny or I freeze. Having said that, my neighbor, who is from Maine, wears shorts pretty much throughout the year and laughs at me wrapped up to my eyeballs as soon as the temp drops below 70. So I agree, it is either tourists who packed for warmer weather or people from colder climates thinking it is really warm.

wlongman Apr 17th, 2003 05:42 PM

As a Floridian, I think I can safely say....<BR><BR>We wear shorts and T's 'cuz we can't handle being bundled up like you northerners! THAT'S WHY WE MOVED HERE!!!!! :) hehehe


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