SomethingSilly

So I just got freaked out by reading the "when does it get really cold" thread. I'm pretty sure my current wardrobe is not quite Chicago-proof. (Here, we get snow days for 2 inches of snowfall and "cold days" for the really, um, cold days.) If anyone could give some advice, it'd be much appreciated.

For coats and jackets, I have a puffy down jacket and a long wool coat, so I hope that'll be enough, especially with some clever layering.

I'm mainly concerned about accessories, like good shoes and a scarf. For the scarf, how substantial does it need to be? And for the shoes, what would be good waterproof shoes (that are not the hideous Uggs)? And if everyone does trudge around in giant snowboots, do they keep those on when they get to class? Or...I'm pretty confused by this all. Please help!

unalove

I wore a pair of Merrells last year that I found on sale at a T.J. Maxx near home. I don't know how "cool" Merrells are, but they're way comfortable and waterproof, and that's what counts.

I've found that the scarf is the easiest accessory to get creative with-- almost any kind of scarf that covers your neck will be kind to you.

Another tip is to get a hat with earflaps. Thank me later.

I love wool for precisely this reason... I can cross the quads in the dead of winter and not feel that cold, and then I get to class in an (overheated) Cobb Hall and I don't feel too hot. Synthetic stuff doesn't have that same advantage. A lot of students layer with synthetics, and when they shed these layers at the beginning of class, we call it the "Chicago strip."

And remember that Chicago knows how to do winter. Winter's been happening here from time immemorial, and the three million people who live here in the city somehow make it through. The University has lots of coffee shops for warm liquids and roaring fireplaces in the Reynolds Club.

You'll arrive here and quickly realize that Chicago kids by and large don't put much (if any) energy into looking stylish, and whatever cute sundresses and skirts the gals might be wearing in the fall will turn into puffy coats for the winter anyway.

But because winter and looking cute is on some people's minds, you'll pretty likely come across a bunch of students who like to knit, and may be knitting themselves winter hats and scarves. If you don't know how to knit, you'll have the opportunity to learn!