Coats in Hong Kong Winter

Hong Kong winters might not seem severe by some standards, but the chill can still bite — especially with the city’s humid climate and buildings that aren’t always well-insulated. Many malls are just open to the outside. Most people here bundle up in coats or jackets more that to stay warm but rather to NOT be cold - even a little. Surprisingly, though, there’s very little accommodation for those coats once you step indoors.

Unlike restaurants or cafes in colder climates that offer cloakrooms or coat racks, many Hong Kong establishments simply don’t have a system for storing outerwear. You’ll notice customers eating or shopping while still draped in their jackets, scarves, or even thick puffer coats. It’s not uncommon to see wearing them the entire day—whether they’re out for a quick meal, browsing at the mall, or traveling on the MTR. Even when it gets warm in the middle of the day.

In a city where space is famously tight and every inch is often devoted to maximizing seating or display, coat storage just isn’t a priority. Many diners will not even simply hang coats on the back of their chairs (interstingly, the thought of a coat potentially touching the floor, is a fear i do not understand) and will just keep them on. For them it’s just easier. By the time you reach home in the evening, you might have worn your coat for hours—sometimes even indoors at work.

It can feel odd if you’re used to stashing your coat in a cloakroom or near an entryway. But in Hong Kong, coats become a day-long companion—just another quirk of a dense, fast-paced city that’s learned to make do without the luxury of extra storage.