<p>I already have a 70% wool coat that goes to my mid thigh and light jackets, but what do I actually need to live there…the basics. I have never lived in the snow before so I am clueless and I need guidance. I have a knitt sweater that goes below my hips, but what do I need for heavy rain and snow? How many layers of pants? What goes under the pants? What types of mittens? Scarves? I aslo have a light water resistant jacket, which does not keep me warm, it is only for rain.</p>
<p>How cold will it be, where you’re headed? Cheap rain boots, warm boots, inexpensive knit gloves, a pair of warm gloves and a scarf (cheap pashmina type usually works for gals, mine have several colors,) a hoodie sweatshirt or two (the college ones are usually very warm, order it now or wait til there) and layers. Fleece pullovers are popular (eg, Northface.) My kids are in a very cold area and have an Underarmour shirt and some long sleeved t-shirts, but usually are fine with regular tees underneath a sweater, hoodie or the fleece; they have a couple of flannel shirts (the rest are ordinary shirts,) and like to sleep in flannel pj bottoms. Not much different than what you’d have if you either have occasional colder weather out west or visit snowy areas there.</p>
<p>Truth is (ok, someone will have a different opinion- and it depends on your school,) most dorms and common buildings will be warm enough and most folks don’t spend a whole lot of time outdoors when the weather is at its worst, except for getting to and from the dorm or playing in the snow. Not that we had much “worst,” this past winter. Most kids like a parka- we got Northface at backcountry dot com- a discounter. Most kids are happy with a comforter and maybe a fleece throw on their beds. </p>
<p>It doesn’t get bad til about Jan-Feb, so you have some time to settle in and see what new friends brought or what they recommend. You coat will probably be just fine til December break, with a scarf and light gloves. Enjoy.</p>
<p>Imo, you don’t need much outside of what you already have (i moved from FL to MT… ugh that was hard). I never layered pants, but ge nerally you put leggings beneath them. As for layers for the upper body, do a tank top, zip up jacket, and coat combo. Gloves? Errr… is it bad that i never use them? Boots, same thing.</p>
<p>“East coast” ranges from Florida to Maine. Could you be more specific?</p>
<p>Where are you going? The winter wardrobe you would need in Atlanta is entirely different from what you would need in upstate NY.</p>
<p>Wait and buy what you need when you get there. It will be less expensive, and much easier.</p>
<p>Definitely wait and see. The stores will have winter gear this fall and you can find out from locals what to have. You can find the best selection and prices in season. Don’t bother trying to do this now. You should take your current cold weather gear to have when you get chilled before the true cold weather season begins.</p>
<p>I gather from doing a little research that the OP is going to the Philadelphia area. Philadelphia’s average snowfall is only about 20 inches, and it doesn’t get below freezing much. Obviously still colder than you are used to, but I wouldn’t go overboard with preparation. Layers are always a good idea: for example, a long-sleeved t-shirt under a microfleece under an outer layer that is wind and water proof. It is usually too hot inside institutional buildings, so it helps to be able to take things off.</p>
<p>This year I bought a black lambswool pea coat from LL Bean with thinsulate inside. It’s good from the mid 40s down to minus 10, looks nice, and isn’t bulky. But I live in a significantly colder place than Philly! :)</p>
<p>I agree: take what you have now, and buy stuff when you get there and know what you really need and want. BTW, I strongly doubt that you will need any pants warmer than jeans.</p>
<p>Definitely buy stuff after you come east. It won’t get cold for quite a while after get here. That way you won’t have to ship stuff. Also, you’ll probably be able to find more stuff here than in the west, and you can ask new friends to go shopping with you!</p>
<p>D went from california to chicago. has purchased clothes there as needed, including rain boots, snow boots and down jacket.</p>
<p>agree with other posters, but them there, the selection is much better</p>
<p>I would absolutely wait. My rising college sophomore, who usually has no interest in clothes, and only wore an insulated hoodie all winter here, insisted that he wanted a mid-thigh pea coat. We live about an hour North of Philadelphia, and his college is in Burlington, VT. We compromised and I got him an Eddie Bauer very warm, waterproof jacket for very cold, wet days and then the pea coat for just cold days. His choices were definitely influenced by his peers. His GF, btw, who goes to Drexel, wears a pea coat.</p>
<p>I moved from Florida(very hot and muggy) to the mountains of New Mexico(snow!) and was totally unprepared for the weather change. I was delighted by having seasons but really had no idea of what i needed. You do figure it out pretty quickly though when you are in the weather, you just have to adjust.</p>
<p>My first winter i went and bought a coat. It is super dry there so a down ski jacket type of coat was perfect. I discovered that the best way to keep warm was to have a knitted hat, scarf and of course gloves. The best shoes that i had for the winter slush in the mountains were basically duck boots. They were soft and lined on the inside and rubber waterproof on the outside. I did miss my Florida sandals.</p>
<p>For me the most important part of the whole climate switch and clothing was dressing in layers. You walk around outside and it is absolutely freezing so bad that you think your nose is just going to fall off. Two seconds later you are in a building and you will immediately have to shed several layers because they have the heat blasting.</p>