How much clothing to take to the Midwest

[momochan]

Hi all-
Son is leaving southern CA to college in the Midwest next month and I am unsurehow much clothing he should take with him. He is flying to school on his own for an early orientation/camping trip and will be taking 2 suitcases, though his sleeping bag, etc will take up a lot of space. Hubby and I are going out 2 wks later with 4 more bags. I will be going back out there in late October for Parent's Weekend so can take 2 more suitcases of stuff (and bring stuff back) then.

I'm thinking I can wait to take the winter boots, etc until the October trip, but that he prob should have his big winter coat before then? Also, how many t-shirts, dress shirts, jeans, socks, sweatshirts, workout clothes, etc??? He has a LOT of clothing and there is no way he's taking even half of it but we need a little more guidance on how much to take.

Also, what kind of laundry bag/hamper worked well for your kids?

Thank you so much!!!!

[noimagination]

Remember, whatever he brings will either have to be brought back or stored.

Most of the Midwest will probably be absurdly hot at first. I can't possibly imagine wearing a ski jacket in September or October.

I think your son is the best person to ask about clothing usage.

[sylvan8798]

He will need 2 weeks worth before you get there with reinforcements. Assume he isn't going to do laundry (expect a "hey...mom?" when you get there ). So 14-ish t-shirts, 5-6 shorts, maybe 2 pairs of jeans (still too warm), a hoodie, and one dress outfit in case there is a nicer event/church, or what have you. If he wears socks and sneaks, then enough for a change of socks each day. If he is mostly wearing sandals, then 5-6 pairs socks for workouts/etc. Workout clothes and swimwear depend on how much of that he typically engages in. Camping gear as needed.

Once you have covered the basics, fill in any extra space with additional clothes and gear that he will/might need later. Be sure to weigh the luggage if there are weight limits on his/your flights!

Highly doubtful he will need a winter coat before October. In the event of a freak October storm (Lake Storm "Aphid" - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia), he will be too excited to be cold and will deal with it.

[SansSerif]

Pack a couple of hoodies and wool sweaters in case there's an early cold snap. Otherwise, I doubt he'll need a winter coat before late October.

[MissManda42]

It somewhat depends on where exactly in the Midwest he's going, since some states get colder sooner. sylvan8798 has some good basic starting points though!

As for winter gear, most stores will start selling early. Staples like hats, scarves, gloves, will be fairly cheap to pretty expensive in prices. It may be easier to find a winter coat at a store near campus. Layering clothes would help though until heavy coat time.

Welcome to the Midwest!

[MizzBee]

For us, a light jacket or sweater will be needed around 9/20, even if it was 80 degrees that week before. that tends to be a good time for a hoodie. Maybe pack a long sleeve shirt that can be worn over a T-shirt for another layer. Now, where in the Midwest will change the time that it gets a bit cooler in the Midwest, but generally around the 2nd football game we need a blanket in the stands.

[Pizzagirl]

Where in the Midwest?

You won't need that winter coat; you can easily wait til October to bring it.

[momochan]

Thanks for your suggestions...he is going to Chicago. For all you cold-weather staters, you would laugh at how much we bundle up here for anything less than 60 degrees and sunny. I have been buying fleece jackets compulsively for the last few months as a way of self-medicating my anxiety about him leaving (he's the oldest) so he is well-stocked with layering pieces!

[momochan]

So how much clothing fits in a "typical" double dorm room?

[Haystack]

I've never found the need for a bulky heavy winter coat in IA or IL, choosing to layer instead.

I use a Lands End Squall jacket and layer wool sweaters and fleece under.

[jaylynn]

Re closet space: Not enough, but more than if he's a girl, lol!

Agree that he won't need a coat for awhile even after October. Hoodies and layering will do him fine. Tshirts with hoodies, or Tshirt/button down/hoodie if he likes that look. Some guys will wear a fleece vest, some wouldn't be caught dead. Some guys actually wouldn't be caught dead in a big coat even though they should be wearing one. Ditto boots-- too many Midwestern kids wear inappropriate footwear during the winter.

Don't buy too much-- until he sees what he likes to wear. Chicago is shopping heaven-- he'll be fine.

My question to you-- former Midwesterner now PacNWer with a kid going to Southern California (San Diego)--- coat? Hoodies will be enough with several light layers? Will girls be wearing shorts all year round or will jeans predominate in "winter"? Thanks!!

A roundabout welcome to my beloved Midwest from someone who misses it! Chicago is awesome!!

[MissManda42]

Ahh Illinois! They have weather like Iowa much of the time. My sister-in-law is from Southern California and gets cold often when here during the cooler months, so I understand what you mean about 60* and less. Late October for Illinois, it should be much cooler by then. Fleece jackets, long sleeved shirts, sweatpants (if your son wears them), flannel material... There is a possibility it could get much colder or even snow before your visit in late October. Is mailing some warmer clothes a possibility? Or maybe ordering it and have it shipped to his dorm or a site-to-store thing?

Seriously though, I can't stress the importance of layering. Some days it'll be freezing in the morning but warm in the afternoon. Also, if his campus/area gets a lot of ice during the winter Yaktraxs are a great investment. They slip over your shoes and help you walk on the ice without sliding everywhere.

[Erin's Dad]

2 bags plus 4 more bags? Does he know how to do laundry? There's no way that will fit in closets and dressers in a dorm room. Cut back! Layer clothes.

[momochan]

@Jaylyn--we are from San Diego and neither of my boys owns a coat that they have ever worn except when they go skiing/snowboarding. Hoodies are the winterwear of choice. We know it's winter here is when my younger son occasionally doesn't wear flip-flops. (My previous post about bundling up was referring to hubby and me!)

[momochan]

Ok-now rethinking the whole big winter coat thing...fleece + sweater + underarmour coldgear, maybe a LL Bean squall jacket in a larger size?? Bought North Face boots already but Yaktrax sounds great...can you wear them with sneakers? (That's another thing--Vans are probably not a great year-round shoe for the Midwest, right?)