Today's Jacket Dilemma: How to Make the Right Choice

Every day we wake up and face the same scenario. Check out the weather. Look at the closet. Ask ourselves: "Should I wear a jacket today?" The answer is sometimes difficult. It's like a science, a personal decision, and a matter of knowing what your day will be like.

In Short: If the feels-like temperature is below 65°F (18°C), you should probably bring a jacket. But this is just the first step. To achieve the perfect decision, you should not only look at one figure. Think of other things like the wind, the sun, and how active you are likely to be. This piece of information gives you a great scheme to follow that will never fail you.

The 60-Second Jacket Check

Prior to your grabbing your keys, consider this quick checklist. This procedure takes less than a minute. You will not suffer the problem of being too hot or too cold all day. The decision if you should put on a jacket today entails more than just one factor.

• The Actual Temperature: This is your foundation. It's what your weather app shows, but it is only part of the whole picture.
• The "Feels Like" Temperature: This is the one you should regard the most. It includes wind chill and humidity. These things can change the way the air feels on your skin.
• Chance of Rain: Do you need a jacket for warmth, rain, or both? A 50°F (10°C) day feels very different when it's dry versus when it's rainy.
• Your Day's Plans: Will you be using a crowded train? Taking a quick walk to the office? Sitting outside for hours? Movement is a mode of heat creation.
• Sun vs. Clouds: Do not undervalue the sun's power. Sunshine can make a cool day feel warm. The clouds can cause a mild day to feel cold.

Getting the Hang of the "Feels Like"

Weather apps reveal two varying numbers. The actual temperature is possibly 50°F (10°C). But it "feels like" 42°F (5°C). The understanding of this second number is the real key to the right jacket choice.

Wind's Influence on You

Wind robs your body of the heat it's given. It takes away the air that your body creates naturally. This is a process that goes by the name convection. The quicker the wind blows, the more heat is taken away.

For instance: on a 40°F (4°C) day, a wind measuring 15 mph can make it feel like 30°F (-1°C) is freezing! Thus a windbreaker works so effectively on a breezy day even if it is not that cold.

Why Humidity Matters

Damp cold is much colder than a dry cold. The reason moist air better conducts heat than dry air is that the molecules are packed more closely. When it is humid the heat is taken from your body more efficiently.

A damp day with 45°F (7°C) on a coast can feel so much chillier than a dry day with a 35°F (2°C) in the inland. If the forecast is for a high humidity then you should wear an extra layer.

Sun Power

Direct sunlight is like a heater made by nature. It can add around 10-15°F more than what you're really experiencing. On a sunny but brisk fall day, you might not need a jacket at all when it's 55°F (13°C).

However, if that same 55°F day is cloudy, you will feel like the temperature has dropped significantly. Always take sun exposure into account when deciding if you should wear a jacket.

Jacket Type and Temperature Correlation

Selecting the proper jacket type is equally, if not more, important as making the decision to wear one at all. A jacket that's not the right fit can be equally uncomfortable or even worse. Here is a handy guide to match your outerwear and the weather.

These are general guidelines for which jacket to wear at which temperature. They give you a solid foundation for smart choices.