It is the point in the year where we begin the transition from winter to spring as the weather starts to get warmer and the ice encasing our summer wardrobes starts to melt. With this, the question everyone is asking themselves arises: When is it acceptable to start wearing shorts? It may be easy to get excited, wear shorts when it’s 60 degrees, then be freezing all day. It’s important to wait for an ideal time so you don’t end up shivering in the air-conditioned school, covered in goosebumps all day.
Shorts are often favorable to long pants, especially after a long, snowy winter with no breaks from the cold and the heaps of layers required to survive it. This winter was one of those, filled with never-ending cold days and few interruptions in the tiresome cycle of long pants. This leads to wardrobe mistakes that greatly increase the likelihood of shivering, so it’s especially important to be cautious.
Wearing shorts before April is questionable. If your legs are out in March, you may want to reconsider your life choices. It may seem tempting, but if it’s March and below 65 degrees, long pants should be kept on. The best time to start wearing shorts is April, otherwise, you’ll be cold and unhappy. If you want to spice up your tired wardrobe and change out of clothes meant for the cold, try wearing a tank top or short-sleeved shirt with long pants.
Sometimes, we will have an especially warm March, and it is okay to wear shorts, even though April hasn’t yet arrived. This can only be done if it is actually warm. That does not mean 55 or 60 degrees. Generally, the right temperature is 70 degrees.
If it’s early spring or late winter and you make the risky decision to wear shorts, you should always, no matter what, bring a sweatshirt. Even if it’s supposed to be warm. Whether you end up ditching it in the morning and not wearing it at all, putting it on midday, or wearing it all day, it’s important to have it with you. Sudden changes in the weather are very likely, and if it becomes cold and you’re wearing shorts and a tank top, you’ll be left feeling freezing, possibly ruining a good day with chills.
Overall, the time when it’s too early to wear shorts is March, but legs can be exposed in April. That is, unless the weather is actually warm. If you decide to wear shorts, keep a sweatshirt by your side, but if you choose to play it safe, stay hopeful because shorts will be coming soon!
