Fratting 101: Fratty Wardrobe - Stay Warm and Frat Hard (Lesson #2)

With the coldest months of the year upon us, we are presented every day with an opportunity to frat hard via our chosen winter wardrobe. A key part of any fratdaddy’s/sorostitute’s winter wardrobe is the jacket. But what is the frattiest brand of jacket to wear? Today we will take a look at four popular brands and investigate the pros and cons that each brand presents. We will also mention some winter warmth methods that constitute near-douchebaggery and should be avoided at all costs.

What to wear:

Columbia: Although not quite as popular as some of the other options on this list, these jackets are still a viable alternative in the fratty wardrobe. However, their often lower price tag presents a problem; namely, this makes them less exclusive and therefore more worn in the community at large. However, their classic designs and utilitarian nature usually prevent them from being picked up by douchebags who search for flashier and gaudier styles.

Mountain Hardwear: A more recent entry into this battle, MHW has come on strong as an alternative to the more widely recognized North Face and Patagonia brands. Their prices are near those of North Face, which lets you buy with the confidence of knowing you’ve spent a sufficient amount on your purchase, and our recent studies have shown that these items are virtually unknown to the GDI community.

North Face: The pros of the North Face jacket are obvious. Simply put, it is the staple of the fratty community when it comes to winter wear. In fact, many unfratty people who know little more about fratology have caught on to the fact that North Face is fratty. However, this presents a definite problem, as the product’s popularity has led to many “copycat fratters” who will buy a North Face jacket and mix it with other clothes and behaviors that soil the good name of the brand. It is still acceptable as an option, but be aware that it is no longer the tried and true sign of one fratting hard as it used to be.

Patagonia: With a name that is almost as strong in the fratty community as North Face, this brand has been strengthened by the fact that, despite its popularity, it has not caught on with nonfratty types at the same rate as North Face. With this in mind, you can buy your Patagonia choice with confidence while knowing that your purchase will serve you well as you frat hard in the winter months.

Now, before moving on to what not to wear, we must say a word about putting stickers on your vehicle that contain a logo of any of the above brands (or any clothing brand at all, for that matter). This is a scourge that has, unfortunately, seriously infiltrated fratdom. As we said in Frat v. GDI #3: Vehicle Edition, there are only two stickers that should be on your vehicle: your fraternity letters and your university name OR logo. Simply put, placing clothing brand stickers on your vehicle is a classic example of trying to hard to frat hard. You may think that you are going all out, but in actuality you are just going home. Now, on to what not to wear…

What Not To Wear:

Leather Jackets: We don’t even have to explain this. The only time when a leather jacket is fratty is at a biker swap/mixer or sorority theme party. Otherwise, leave the leather to your brother who depledged and joined a biker gang.

Hooded Sweatshirt: Just as North Face is a staple of the fratty community, hooded sweatshirts are a staple of international douchebaggery. The more pedestrian violation of this hard and fast rule are hooded sweatshirts with your university name or logo. Although this is a lesser offense, it is still forbidden. The greater of this evil is a hooded sweatshirt that comes from “The Evil A’s”…Abercrombie, Aeropostale, and American Eagle. Of course, you don’t have one, because you don’t shop there, right? If you can’t answer that question in all confidence, go to your closet immediately and expunge it of these items that are abhorred by the eyes of the Frat Gods.