<p>SMC isn’t in Alaska, it’s in Indiana…granted, northern Indiana winters are colder than a lot of winters, but it still isn’t that bad</p>
<p>Unless we make a trip to the mountains, we really don’t think “winter gear”. Our evenings do cool down even in summer so a light jacket or sweatshirt will be needed… but that’s all that is necessary until late October, when it starts cooling off. Remember, we think we’re freezing when it hits the mid 50s, and if we wake up and 1/4" of ice is on the windshield because it hit 30 overnight, we think we’re braving the elements. Your kiddo’s friends will steer her toward campus-appropriate winter attire. There’s plenty of time. One must-have is a water-resistant jacket, but remember our rainy season doesn’t start until around December.</p>
<p>Well, if she will be at Saint Mary’s, then she might run up against a colder wind than she is used to at the Irish games. So, at least get her a northface fleece and some cute mittens and maybe, if you have a local REI or ski store, head out and see about a hat or two. Just so she can get used to it. </p>
<p>If you have a local ski shop, you might find a good deal on a ski coat. But, definitely on the umbrella, the rain jacket and some of those darling rain boots you can find at DSW.</p>
<p>Well thanks all, I’m taking it all in. This move will def take more planning than my DS’s. For him, I just picked stuff up for months and added it to dorm mountain then we packed up the SUV. Now, I guess I will click and ship…time to collect catalogs!</p>
<p>Oh dear - I see I got the direction wrong, reading it as going TO So Cal! (embarrassed grin).</p>
<p>I’m on the other end of things…wondering how to get all the stuff HOME from CA after 4 years of college. Tell your DD to stay out of the trift stores! Mine has accumulated so much stuff we will have to spend a weekend donating it all back…think mountains ( not piles)…Good luck on the coat.</p>
<p>If you want to buy her something buy a North Face Denali jacket, find one on sale and she will have something to start out will. Can’t imagine a college campus where a Denali jacket wouldn’t be in style and not used. Now try and be patient. Don’t buy anything else. It will be warm in August. And they have stores in South Bend, the mail goes there, and you can even take the train into downtown Chicago. </p>
<p>My D would not have worn ugg boots in college, but she would wear Hunter rainboots. She will want to wear what the other kids wear and won’t have a lot of room so don’t send stuff that won’t be worn.</p>
<p>Order her a black North Face down jacket and some Ugg boots, both available from Amazon. Seems to be stock uniform for most Midwest college kids</p>
<p>South Bend has plenty of large shopping malls; it’s not a retail desert and reflects a certain coastal attitude that Midwest is largely uncivilized. This comment is not intended for OP, but a reflection of attitudes I’ve encountered here and personally on either coast.</p>
<p>I recommend a couple of cute sweaters, and cute scarves along with the usual coat, boots, gloves. We moved last year, and a sweater under a coat is perfect for most winter days. Scarves are also good for giving you a little bit of <em>extra</em> which you can undo if it gets a little warm.</p>
<p>Thats ok Calla tx for reverse advice :)</p>
<p>@opera, she LOVES thrifting ughhh. Southwest gives you two free bags plus a carryon, use vaccum bags and shove it all in I guess, that’s what we’re doing!</p>
<p>Thanks to all, great tips!</p>
<p>@soccergurl to us it may as well be haha, I’m from the tropics!</p>
<p>Warm coat, warm boots for trudging through the snow… or to go out and play in it!</p>
<p>Get her to agree to at least 1 pair of actual winter boots ~ instead of fashion boots. It will snow, it will rain & she will do a lot of walking.</p>
<p>You will survive the long distance move-in. We shipped all, and have always taken the train. D will graduate this year and we have never driven it ~ Va to Ct</p>
<p>@snugapug, great name, where’d you ship it to?</p>
<p>Most colleges will tell you when they start accepting packages for incoming first year students - typically about a week or so before orientation / move-in day. You’ll have to go to the campus post office or some similar place to pick the packages up, but that is better than trying to lug bulky items on a plane.</p>
<p>So just budget some time to do some shopping on or before move-in day. No need to ship large amounts of shampoo, paper goods, etc. across the country or in your luggage.</p>
<p>Honestly, don’t buy anything major. Send her with a couple of hoodies, some cotton sweaters, and a fleece, and let her buy stuff there. I strongly doubt that any college kid, even a girl, needs “several” pairs of boots. I gather that girls now like rain boots, and there are cute ones out there. She might want a pair of warmer boots for winter. Boys almost never wear them. I would not worry about her buying things that are trendy and not utilitarian. When it comes to campus winter fashion, the utilitarian IS pretty much the trend. </p>
<p>I would not buy ski clothing unless she is actually going to ski in it. It is usually too tight to layer, and not warm enough for actually walking around in very cold weather, waiting at a windy bus stop, etc. I’ve seen plenty of people from places like FL and SoCal arrive with their idea of winter coats, and they are almost always inadequate and uncomfortable. What she’ll probably end up with is a wind-and-waterproof outer layer, and some things to layer under it.</p>
<p>that’s so true consolation. Up here we do tend to buy our winter coats large enough to fit the bulky sweaters underneath.</p>
<p>I wouldn’t buy Uggs, they are on the wane. Just let her figure out the boots. Rain boots are the way to go. With enough sock layers… and cute. She may choose uggs? But they are an expense I wouldn’t just make on the “off chance” YMMV</p>
<p>Everyone has a zip fleece, generally northface, though. Black.</p>
<p>What a culture shock this will be. Well leaving it to her takes the fun out of it for me. Plus, I like to be prepared like a good boy scout 
leaving it all till we get there doesn’t seem like good organization. Also, I understand that Notre Dame, Saint Mary’s and Holy Cross all have the same move in days. Won’t we all be at the same BB&B and Target haha</p>