<p>I’ve lived in a sub-tropical environment my entire life and I’m heading to school in NYC this fall. The result? After attending a school where I needed a uniform and living somewhere where it’s summer all year long, I have a relatively few clothes (and the majority of my shoes are strappy sandals and flip flops), many of which are unsuitable for wearing up north during the school year.</p>
<p>What advice would you give to someone about how to build a wardrobe from scratch to wear in a colder environment (including shoes)? What are the absolute essentials and what else would you recommend? How would you go about shopping for these things? Thank you!</p>
<p>Well…for shoes, I would wait and buy locally - reason being, shoes will fit your feet differently in colder climates v. tropical climates, so, buy those in NYC. </p>
<p>As for starting off in the fall, I would recommend going to Old Navy, or a store like that, and buying natural cotton long sleeve shirts, things that you can layer. Then, add larger sweaters over that. You will actually feel colder than people who have lived in colder weather, so, you will need some extra shirts and sweaters. I live in a tropical city, and, when traveling to the northeast into very cold weather, it usually takes five layers (undershirt, then long sleeve thermal underwear shirt, then busines shirt, then sweater, then suit jacket), plus a wool coat. Plus scarf, gloves, glove liners. </p>
<p>As to pants, jeans should do it. Then lots of warm socks - get ten pair as you may want to change them often.</p>
<p>But layering is the key to keeping warm.</p>
<p>BTW, forgot to post, congratulations on your college destination!</p>
<p>Buy these things in NY or online after you have lived in NYC during the fall:</p>
<p>Northface jacket with removable liner; hood</p>
<p>hats that covers ears
scarves (a few for fashion statements)
gloves - windproof (dont get the soft fuzzy kind - wind goes right thru)</p>
<p>wait on the boots. see what others (preferably locals) wear in the city. You probably won’t need real snow boots unless you plan to visit upstate or other areas that don’t have good snow removal.</p>
<p>good to get some type of boot that you can tuck your jeans into to keep dry when it rains.</p>
<p>You will receive many specific recommendations, I am sure!</p>
<p>My general advice: layers and warm socks! </p>
<p>You may find that, though it is freezing outside, classrooms are overheated. Layers save the day. Plus, you increase the versatility of your clothing pieces as you combine them in different ways for different conditions. Many manufacturers of winter outerwear exploit this concept and sell “systems.” They are worth looking at.</p>
<p>As to the socks: I find that, no matter how warm the rest of me may be, if my feet are cold, I am unhappy. I am an avid fan of SmartWool brand socks. They are pricey (egads! that much for SOCKS!?), but they are worth it to me.</p>
<p>The quality of the clothing is more important. For example, there socks and then there are socks. For people come from warm weather, usually does not pay attention to the quality but it makes a huge difference in wearing socks and still shivering and wearing socks and feel comfortable. I know I made this mistake.</p>
<p>Multiple pairs of shoes, especially if you don’t want boots.</p>
<p>In New York City, the snow looks beautiful for about 15 minutes. Then it starts to melt into slushy puddles, especially in the street, near the curb. You will step in some of these puddles, and you will want to change your shoes afterwards.</p>
<p>Wow! I’m blown away by the incredibly helpful and thorough responses. Thank you all! Latetoschool, I see your location and I am a Miamian as well. You know how it is here…it’s pretty much shorts and tshirts all year long! Thank you for the congratulations…I’m incredibly excited :)</p>
<p>I agree. Definitely layers–tank tops, short sleeve shirts, long sleeve shirts, sweaters, hoodies–to mix and match depending on the temperature. Almost everyone I know at college in cold areas wears Northface for a warm winter coat. I think you’ll want boots to keep your feet warm and dry when there’s snow and slush. You’ll probably want some thick, longer socks to wear under your boots (think SmartWool or something like that). Get a warm hat that covers your ears, and pick up some gloves (I recommend gloves because you can open your cell phone while wearing them). Some people at my school in Chicago like to wear long underwear or spandex under their pants on the coldest days, but I never did. You’ll want a scarf or two to keep your neck and face warm.</p>
<p>Viva-
August and September in NYC are likely to be pretty hot and humid. You’ll be fine for the first several weeks. Fall usually brings unpredictability: hot/chilly, dry and beautiful/cold rain. So, at the very least, you’ll probably need something to wear in the rain that will allow you to wear a light-weight, long-sleeve sweater underneath. That, plus jeans and closed-toe shoes will probably serve you well until mid or late October. </p>
<p>As you get to late summer, there are scads of online sources for warmer clothing (I’m sure some of the younger folks will help with the fashion-forward URLs) if you want to purchase some before you head north.</p>
<p>And you may do better shopping after you start school. You’ll know the styles everyone wears, you’ll know what you really need and want, and you’ll probably get it cheaper than in Florida.</p>
<p>There is (or was in March) no sales tax on clothing under approx $120 in NYC. The prices at Macy’s, A&F, and some other store were the same prices as here in the Mid Atlantic so it was actually cheaper to buy there. Note - we only bought one item at each store, I do not know the rule if the total purchase is more than $120.</p>
<p>My California D, living in Boston, moved with a few pair of sandels and some tennis shoes. She was adamantly opposed to any type of boot. Mid winter, she got a pair of really cute rain boots in Cambridge and finally in February bought some Ugg-like boots for the cold. Having said that, Boston had a very, very mild winter. Now, if she had been in upstate NY, I am sure the story would have been different.</p>
<p>get a friend to knit you a scarf or two. big long things you can wrap around twice.
LAYERS are huge. on really cold days i wear tights (and sometimes even legwarmers) under my jeans. in the winter i usually end up wearing jeans, a longsleeve shirt, and a sweatshirt (so i’m OK even in the overheated classrooms) with sneakers or boots depending on the weather. then when i go outside i add a coat/hat/gloves/scarf/etc and i’m toasty.
buy a long coat (that covers your butt).</p>
<p>i’m big on american apparel, old navy, h&m for fun warm things.</p>
<p>I am only divulging this because we have stocked up, but online, target has some really cute, inexpensive rainboots, what my D is taking to NYC for those slush days</p>
<p>my girls are petite, so we are able to buy longjohn-type t-shirts in the girls departments, large sizes, cheaper than juniors, so look for large size kids sweatshirts, or check out the boys departments</p>
<p>another thing my Ds do is buy men’s sweaters, and with father’s day coming up, bet you can find some deals on some nice washable (important) men’s sweaters</p>
<p>I’ll repeat what everyone’s said. layers. lots of them</p>
<p>Essentials:
-various colors of short sleeve tees
-various colors of long sleeve tees
-pairs of jeans in different washes (lighter for casual days, darker for going out)
-various colors of hoodies
-various colors of tank tops
-sweatpants for lazy days
-cardigans/casual blazers (to dress up some jeans)
-khakis/nice pants
-sweaters
-casual cotton dresses
-footless tights to wear under jeans during those freezing days
-tights to layer with the dresses, shorts, and skirts you probably already have
[some of these you already would have…like dresses…but you can make them more suitable for NE weather by pairing them with tights and a hoodie or something)</p>
<p>spend more money on the basics, because you’ll always wear them, and less on the more trendy stuff, b/c they’ll come and go.
btw American Apparel is amazing for tees/hoodies/sweats</p>
<p>For shoes:
-athletic sneakers: if you’re gonna be going to the gym you’ll probably want a seperate pair of sneakers (you prob already have these)
-nicer sneakers: for everyday wear
-boots: try to get leather so that you can wear them in the rain. slouchy ones look great with dresses or skinny jeans
-flats: get a few of these. they’re great for outfits that are too nice for sneakers, but either not nice enough for heels, or you just don’t feel like hurting your feet.<br>
-pumps: a good dressy shoe…not open toed so your feet won’t completely freeze, but dressy enough to wear to any party</p>
<p>For outerwear:
-a nice warm winter coat for those snowy days
-a fleece jacket (try the Northface fleece). Great for in-betwen days, you could wear them in class if you want, isn’t bulky
-an anorak or trench. for rainy days. you probably already have one.</p>
<p>Since you’re starting from scratch, you may want to try some of the thrift stores or consignment stores. You’ld be surprised what you can find there. My son got a Mountain Hardwear down jacket at one for $13 that looked barand new. You may be able to find some basics online at the REI outlet or sierra trading post. Alot of last years winter/ spring stuff is on clearance online. I also vote for smartwool socks.</p>