A viral TikTok video has started a surprisingly intense online debate all about how you’re supposed to wear your fur-lined winter coat hoods. Fitness creator Jessica Alzamora (@jessica.alzamora.xo) kicked off the chaos when she declared that everyone has been wearing their hooded coats completely wrong. Her video, which has already racked up over 6.1 million views, claimed that the fur lining on your jacket should be folded inward rather than outward if you want to stay warm.
Alzamora, who lives in Chicago where temperatures can drop dangerously low, demonstrated her technique by tucking the fur lining deep inside the hood and zipping the coat up all the way. She argued that this creates a crucial seal around your face. She said this method is functional, not stylish, explaining, “You’re supposed to fold it in like this and it covers your ears and blocks air.” If you leave the fur facing out, she believes all that cold air is still hitting you, and you’re just not warm enough.
This isn’t just about comfort, either. Surviving the cold is serious business, especially in regions that see well-below-freezing temperatures. The National Center for Health Statistics reported that 1,024 people in the U.S. died in 2023 due to excessive cold or hypothermia. That’s a scary number, and it shows you really need the right gear to protect yourself, even if you’re only outside for a short time.
The internet was quick to push back on Alzamora’s innovative folding technique, citing centuries of Arctic tradition and historical coat design
Many commenters pointed out that Indigenous Canadians, specifically the Inuit people, historically wore their coats with the fur facing outward for very specific reasons. One commenter, @craig_nc, asked directly, “Have you never seen any Inuit people?” He stressed that the fur is meant to be worn out to block the wind. Another user, @jxpsntz, chimed in, saying, “Um actually no. It’s meant to trap snow from hitting your face just how squirrels use their tales. But you do you girl.”
The traditional design rationale is actually fascinating, and it makes total sense for extreme cold survival. The fur ruff on parka hoods is intentionally placed on the outside to disrupt the wind flow. It helps create a boundary layer of warm air right around the face, significantly reducing heat loss. It also helps prevent frost buildup from breath, which is especially important if you’re using resilient furs like wolverine or wolf.
But here’s the thing we all need to remember: most of the coats you see in modern stores aren’t rocking genuine wolf fur. You’re probably just dealing with polyester faux fur. The rules for surviving the Arctic Circle are probably a lot different than the rules for surviving a quick trip to the store in Chicago while wearing fast fashion. If you are trapped somewhere with a hurricane outside, the rules for survival are again a lot different.
Alzamora addressed the massive backlash in a follow-up video, clarifying who her advice was for. She stated, “I wasn’t talking to anybody that lives in Alaska. I’ve never been to Alaska! I wasn’t talking about blizzards. I wasn’t talking to you.” She admitted that she “Googled it” and realized she was technically wrong about the historical function of traditional parkas. Chicago, however, will be having warmer temperatures in the future as the Great Lakes face an enormous environmental catastrophe.
Even though she was mistaken about the design history, she still claims her inward-folding technique works best for her and her specific synthetic coat.
Published: Dec 19, 2025 04:00 pm