Some industry insiders also attribute the popularity of short sleeves to a shift in working women's fashion attitudes. Now that women have gained a more solid footing in the professional arena, their work-fashion tastes have shifted to clothing that is still functional, but also includes an element of femininity. The popularity of short-sleeved and sleeveless garments is an extension of this trend. Some people might think that wearing short sleeves in winter is a less than sensible fashion choice. But thanks to advancements in climate control, the insides of buildings and public-transportation vehicles are warmer nowadays, so people are generally not feeling the winter cold as much.
People also feel the cold more or less keenly depending on which part of the body is exposed.
When the chest or other areas of the trunk are exposed, the temperature of a person's skin drops not only on the exposed area, but also on the parts of the body that are covered. In contrast, if the limbs are exposed, the temperature of the skin on the torso remains virtually unchanged. The way to guard against the cold is to protect the parts that are sensitive to cold, such as the shoulders, back, thighs, and feet. Except in the case of elderly people, whose lower metabolism makes it difficult for them to regulate their body temperature, light clothing is better for the health than heavy clothing. Edited by Japan Echo Inc. based on domestic Japanese news sources.