January 17, 2025
DHAKA – If you live in Dhaka, you have probably noticed the change in the city’s mood. Dhakaites experience a remarkable metamorphosis when the temperature drops. Individuals seem, or at least feel, more fashionable, more active, and, strangely enough, wealthier suddenly. This peculiar occurrence stems from cultural customs, and the enduring allure of winter’s milder temperatures.
The luxury of layers
In summer, Dhakaites battle a relentless enemy — sweat. Cotton kurtas and loose panjabis are the uniform, leaving little room for experimentation. But winter? It’s fashion season. People whip out their trench coats, leather jackets, puffer vests, and an array of scarves that could rival a Parisian boutique.
Even if it’s just a thin sweater from the corner of New Market, the act of layering creates a psychological illusion of affluence. Many say that dressing up boosts self-confidence, which explains why someone wearing a faux-leather jacket feels ready to negotiate a million-dollar deal — even if they’re just haggling with a rickshaw puller over Tk 10.
The café culture boom
Winter turns Dhaka into a sprawling, albeit slightly chaotic, open-air café. Rooftop coffee shops, roadside tea stalls, and even the tong-er dokan suddenly seem cosier. A warm cup of masala cha or a frothy cappuccino in hand instantly adds an air of sophistication to even the most mundane gathering.
This cultural shift isn’t just about aesthetics. Many coffee and tea connoisseurs will assert that the association of warmth (like holding a cup of tea) with comfort and luxury is deeply ingrained. So, when we gather for steaming cups of cha under fairy-lit skies, they feel indulgent — and rich enough to order extra shingaras.
A city on the move
Dhaka’s oppressive heat often turns the average person into a hermit, staying indoors with the fan on full blast. Winter, however, makes people more active. Morning jogs at Hatirjheel, family outings to Rabindra Sarobar, and weddings that require back-to-back salon appointments become the norm.
This newfound energy can be attributed to seasonal affective behaviour, such as being in a better mood due to the lack of heat and sweltering sweat in traffic. Cooler weather triggers dopamine production, making people feel happier and more productive. In Dhaka, this manifests as a burst of energy that often resembles hyper-productivity — whether it’s taking five wedding holud selfies in one evening or attending three BBQ parties in different corners of the city.
Wedding season extravagance
Winter in Bangladesh is synonymous with weddings. From Rajshahi to Chattogram, everyone knows that cooler months are the perfect time to deck out in heavily embroidered sarees and three-piece suits that weigh more than some wedding cakes.
For Dhakaites, wedding season is an opportunity to flaunt their “winter collection,” with each outfit costing a sum that could probably fund a weekend trip to Sylhet. And even if you’re not the one getting married, attending lavish weddings with elaborate decorations, exotic dessert counters, and live bands can give you a sense of participating in wealth.
The power of contrasts
Finally, let’s not forget the contrast. Winter in Dhaka is a fleeting, welcome respite from months of unrelenting heat and humidity. The mere act of stepping out without immediately breaking into a sweat feels luxurious. The simple joys of wearing socks, sipping hot soup, or not needing an umbrella feel like indulgent luxuries, reinforcing the illusion of wealth.
Winter, in all its charm, gives us a chance to live the fantasy of being wealthier, more stylish, and more active than they actually are. It’s a psychological trick of the season — a blend of cooler weather, cultural habits, and a collective yearning for a life beyond the everyday hustle.
And while the winter riches may be fleeting, we are nothing if not resourceful. After all, when the layers come off and the heat returns, we’ll always have our memories — and the photos.