If you’ve been on social media lately, you may have seen a viral video of a woman explaining how to tuck in the fur-lined hood of your jacket — and it’s caused quite a stir.
Response videos quickly followed, many pushing back on the advice and leaving winter coat–wearers everywhere wondering: Have we been wearing our parkas wrong this whole time?
The original video was posted by Jessica Alzamora, a Chicago-based creator who knows her way around cold weather. Since she shared it on Instagram on Sunday, the clip has racked up more than 30 million views, with commenters split straight down the middle over whether her advice is genius… or completely backwards.
In the video, Alzamora demonstrates folding the fur lining inward so it sits against your ears and face, then zipping your coat all the way up. According to her, leaving the fur untucked allows cold air to creep in, while tucking it creates a seal that keeps wind out and warmth in.
Almost immediately, winter experts, outdoor enthusiasts and people who “grew up somewhere actually cold” jumped into the comments — and onto their own feeds — to push back.
To Tuck?
Supporters of Alzamora’s method say the hack makes sense in certain conditions. Folding the fur inward can help block wind from hitting your ears directly, especially during quick walks or milder winter days. Some commenters also pointed out that modern parkas often use synthetic fur, which doesn’t behave exactly like traditional animal fur — making the tuck feel more practical than problematic.
Alzamora herself later clarified that she wasn’t trying to rewrite winter fashion rules or tell anyone in extreme climates how to survive.
“I was just sharing how I keep warm,” she wrote in a follow-up comment. “Do what feels good to you. There are multiple ways to do things. What works for some doesn’t work for others.”
Or Not to Tuck?
Critics argue that fur-lined hoods — real or synthetic — were designed to be worn on the outside, not folded away. Historically, Indigenous communities used fur around hoods because it excels at repelling wind, snow, and frost while preventing breath from freezing on the skin. Even faux fur works similarly by creating a buffer between your face and harsh weather.
There’s even academic research backing this up, describing traditional Inuit clothing as “the most effective cold weather clothing developed to date,” largely because of how fur is placed around hoods, hems and cuffs.
In other words: the fur can’t protect you from the elements if it’s zipped inside your coat.
So what’s the verdict? Both sides make fair points. If tucking helps you feel warmer on your daily commute, go for it. But in truly cold, windy, or snowy conditions, leaving the fur out — and adding a hat, balaclava or neck warmer — may actually keep you more comfortable in the long run.
The real takeaway? Do what works for you.
This article used an AI-generated image.
