I have a “theory” about why Italians in Bologna are always so cold.

In Bologna when fall season hits, so does fall fashion. This means, excessively warm jackets, scarves, pants, boots—the whole deal. Italians are fashionable. The general mentality of Italians—from observation of the people, the clothing in stores, and mannequins—is “the season is changing therefore I must dress to the fashions of the new season.” If the mode is wear the big winter jacket with the long sleeve sweater, a scarf, and boots, then they do it. The mannequins usually have about five different layers, as do the people in the stores, along the streets, and in my classes. When these twenty-or-so-year-old students get to class they have to take off about two jackets, and yet, as I watch my classmates sit down, I notice that they are still wearing two more shirts and a sweater.

The fall fashion, however, does not necessarily match the actual temperature. For example, today was probably in the higher 70s. In California, I would probably still wear shorts, flip flops, and a sweatshirt; the temperature usually warms up, and walking up and down hills all day is enough to make your body temperature rise and the sweat start dripping. Here in Bologna, everyone was dressed like it was 40 or 50 degrees outside. It was ridiculous. I felt like I stood out more than usual by not having on my boots and jacket. Instead I had dressed practically: jeans and a T. But in Italy, dressing is a fashion, not a practicality.

So I figure, these Italian who all tell me how cold it gets in Bologna, all get so cold in the winter because they are excessively warm and overdressed in the fall.

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I must say, as the temperature is finally dropping, I am beginning to understand the concept and necessity of layers. Though I often feel that some days are still too warm for long sleeves. One of my classes, Dante actually, resembles an inferno more than a classroom. It is nice to take off my jacket or sweater and just have on a t-shirt. But, I am pretty sure I am the only non-mannequin in class—where everyone else looks like they could be the display in a store window, I look like the person who is pondering which of these displays I will choose to create my new look. However, when I step outside, liberated from the heat and humidity of so many bodies packed together, it is nice to have the sweater and the jacket on, and maybe even a scarf. Well, at least I can say I understand my studies better than I understand fashion.