People who don't live in the Midwest cannot understand the things we do to stay warm. This outfit says you're from the Midwest without actually saying it.

I'm sitting in my garage in Illinois having a drink and watching the storm brew in the sky. I grew up in Wisconsin, where I fell in love with storm-watching from a lawn chair in my garage.

If you don't live around here and see one of your neighbors sitting in the garage with drinks and the forecast calls for storms, I 100% promise they're from the Midwest.

Canva
Canva
loading...

MORE: Wisconsin Spot Named Best ‘Hidden Gem Destination’ in the State

97 ZOK logo
Get our free mobile app

Say You're From the Midwest Without Actually Saying You're From the Midwest

 

We call it pop, not soda.

 

It's been a week since I've had a fried cheese curd.

I'm all about hotdish and jello salads at family gatherings.

 

I've experienced all four seasons in one day.

If you wave to strangers on the street, if there's nothing but casseroles at the potluck, or if you often use the word

Ope

You're from the Midwest.

And if you've ever worn an outfit like this person in the photo below, YOU ARE DEFINITELY FROM THE MIDWEST.

MORE: Hilarious Things Only People From the Midwest Will Understand

A Midwestern January feels like it's 100 days long, and just a pair of jeans isn't going to cut it. We put our pants on like everybody else, but in the Midwest, we've got some fuzzy PJs underneath. It was the only way to survive those cold mornings before school outside waiting for the bus.

Long underwear is effective but nothing keeps you warm like some pajama pants!

LOOK: 50 cozy towns to visit this winter

Stacker created a list of 50 cozy American towns to visit each winter. Towns were selected based on visitor opinions, ratings from nationwide publications, and tourist attractions.

Gallery Credit: Laura Ratliff

10 of the Best Road Trips to Take When You Need to Escape Illinois This Winter

More From 97 ZOK