<p>I go to school in Michigan and have a $50 synthetic down coat from a department store, kohls or penneys or something, that is more than sufficient-- and not very puffy or anything like that. Northface, while nice, is WAY more than you need to spend in my opinion.</p>
<p>If I could afford it I would also have a wool pea coat.</p>
<p>I have a wool pea coat that I bought for my oldest- it is an extra small from lands end. It is huge, so I ended up with it, and I wear it with a jacket underneath when I am working outside.</p>
<p>I like down more than synthetic down- the polyfills are nice for one season, but compress too fast and lose their warmth. The value of a higher quality product is that we have The North Face & Patagonia pieces that our family has been wearing for 20 years- we can’t say that about the bargains- a bargain isn’t always a bargain.</p>
<p>Additionally you don’t need temp rating- the fill ratio is much more informative.</p>
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<p>I am smiling picturing OP’s DD all bundled up in her near-down jacket, scarf, hat, gloves and Uggs at this time of year! Oh, and there goes a boy in a hoodie and shorts! 
You want her to be warm but not laughed at…</p>
<p>I have lived in Indiana all my life. Went to Purdue for four years (located on a windy hill). There will be days when she needs a good, past-the-tush down coat with all the accessories, but right now! It’s still in the mid 40s here. She needs a double-layer of a decently thick hoodie and a fleece jacket, some $1 knit stretch gloves, and a cute scarf wrapped around her neck and that she can tuck her mouth and nose into when it is a little colder. Jeans or khakis (with a layer of silk long underwear until she’s more used to the climate) and since Uggs are so in, that will do til the snow flies. I know most kids wear the minimum because who wants to lug all that crap around once you get where you’re going? And I don’t know what campus she’s on, but the big ones that would be spread out enough for a 15-min walk also have a great bus system, so you don’t have to walk the whole thing. </p>
<p>It’s really mostly about covering the exposed extremities: after thanksgiving, send her a cute tight stocking-type hat (or if she has more of a “hairdo” lots of the kids use a fleecy version of ear muff.) Some “Thinsulate” gloves is a fun color, lots of scarves, and warm fuzzy socks for inside some cute boots. If she wants to, she can buy some “handwarmers” which are one-time use pads you put inside your gloves that will keep you toasty for an hour or so. But I agree it is mostly about becoming acclimated. There are lots of good things about Indiana…the winter is not necessarily one of them! :rolleyes:</p>
<p>I’m a former mid-westerner if that counts! I’d suggest a Columbia jacket or a down jacket, good hat, gloves. My daughters would not part with their Uggs, but I suggest putting orthotic insoles inside (Dr. Scholls). Is she near a Columbia outlet store?</p>
<p>Oh I forgot–she definitely needs some sweaters…</p>
<p>What she will find out is that we have vast wardrobes here in flyover country! When you have to be outdoors, you need both a fall coat and a winter coat.</p>
<p>The tip about a thin pair of gloves for fall is a good one. In November and early December, they’ll be stuffed into a pocket and brought out when needed. An earwarmer or small cap is also important for the same reason. The more serious stuff - scarf, really warm gloves, wool pants, snow boots - will be needed by mid to late December.</p>
<p>Oh, yes, to lots of sweaters and fleece pullovers. I would say it is all about lots of thinner layers. One thing not to forget is some snow/ski pants…she will want to play in the snow, esp. if that is a new thing for her!</p>
<p>AZ/CA native here, displaced or perhaps misplaced to the upper midwest a few decades ago. It has taken me a while to get the hang of what makes me happy for winter dressing. I walk outside in all weather, so will speak from the perspective of walking, not just in and out of buildings and vehicles. </p>
<p>Some long underwear, or even thin leggings under those sweat pants can make a huge difference for a walk. I usually freeze through the winter in jeans and numb thighs, but when I do take the time for two layers on the bottom, makes a big difference. Hats are nice, but protecting ears is essential, ear muffs or a wool or polar fleece headband. Wool or polar fleece scarves to cover the face are great. Wool mittens or thinsulite lined gloves are essential. Turtle necks, wool sweaters, especially long wool sweaters. Smart wool socks are heavenly, and the Gap tends to have part wool socks that are fashionable and fun. </p>
<p>I’m allergic to down pillows, but the down in jackets does not bother me, as is farther from my face. My daughters wear pea coats all winter, but to me they look cold, if fashionable. I like my more windproof puffy coat, or the Columbia type jackets for warmth. Windproof is the essential, in my book. </p>
<p>For those who live her permanently, yes the wardrobe for winter dressing becomes rather large. A friend years ago said each 10 degree change requires a different get up. But was years before I accumulated a collection. </p>
<p>My D goes to school near Seattle and laughs when people complain of cold. Yes, it is chilly and damp there, but nothing like the serious cold of a midwest winter. Sorta like Mark Twain’s line about San Francisco.</p>
<p>nicksmtmom- she is at Purdue. She said the wind is what kills her. You had me laughing. She said people must think she is a freak or homeless with all her layers of clothes on, none of which match.
She called and feels good after her shopping expedition today. She got 2 different jackets.One that will block the wind and covers her butt.I am not sure what brand but she feels she is set for any weather. She made sure she could fit a fleece on underneath. A hat that is lined with fleece. She is sensitive to how fabric feels on her skin. Two pairs of boots. One fashionable but walkable and the other not as attractive but practical.
Didn’t think about snow pants. We have some old snowboard pants at home that I will add to my next care package.</p>
<p>mom60…her tank tops are not going to provide her the warmth she needs no matter HOW many she layers. She needs something with SLEEVES…if she’s that bitter cold, maybe long silk underwear would be worth buying. I will say…just about when you make this purchase, her blood will thicken.</p>
<p>Is there a Dick’s Sporting Goods or Sports Authority within a stones’ throw of where she is? If so, send her there to try on winter jackets. Either that or see what you can find in CA when she comes home. My SIL says that ski jackets ARE in the stores in San Diego…folks go on vacation to ski. </p>
<p>Re: synthetic down…it’s come a LONG way in the last couple of years and does not lose its loft as easily as in previous generations.</p>
<p>Re: snow pants…she’ll want these to play in the snow (if she is so inclined) but NOT to wear on a daily basis…no matter HOW cold it gets. Tell her to get some leggings to wear under her jeans.</p>
<p>Thumper- have already sent the silk long underwear from REI. She has a couple of the tanks, two long sleeves and one pair of the pants. She is already wearing them. One problem she has found with the silk long underwear shirts is they aren’t long enough in the trunk. That is why she is adding her regular tank over it before adding her next layer. I am sure she is a sight.
She bought a wool pea coat several months ago. She finds it isn’t what she needs for everyday wear since she is mainly wearing sweats and leggings on bottom with running shoes.
She will survive.
My next concern will be she is driving on Thanksgiving alone to spend the holiday with a friend near in Chicago. Hope the weather is good.</p>
<p>Some tips for when it’s really cold (wind chill below zero, even way below):</p>
<p>Wrap a scarf around your neck, face and nose so that pretty much only your eyes show - works very well when done with a jacket/parka that has a hood. This way you’re inhaling warmer air, and your cheeks don’t get all chapped. Also no cold air goes down your neck.</p>
<p>A cheaper and less bulky alternative to long underwear pants is to just wear a pair of pantyhose (or two) or a pair of tights under your jeans. You’d be surprised how warm this will keep your legs.</p>
<p>When I lived in the Chicago area, I used to have a 25-minute walk (1 1/4 miles) to work each day. I was there during some of the historic blizzards (hello, Jane Byrne!), and there were also some VERY cold days those years, with wind chills to -40. If I just wore pants or jeans with nothing underneath, my thighs would get so red and chapped that they would start to crack and bleed. But with pantyhose underneath, a heavy pair of knit mittens (they didn’t have all this Thinsulate type stuff back then, or if they did it was out of my price range) and my hooded parka (el cheapo White Stag brand, with polyester filling, not down, long enough to cover my tush, and belted to help keep my torso warmer) with a turtleneck and wool sweater underneath and a long scarf (el cheapo acrylic knit) wrapped so that only my eyes and forehead were exposed, I was fine. Totally fine, and on a low budget.</p>
<p>Used to dress similarly for long days out in the snow tobagganing in Ohio for hours and hours, maybe with 3 or 4 pairs of pantyhose under the jeans. Might have worn two pairs of jeans for those days, don’t remember for sure.</p>
<p>Great thread! My raised on the beach in South Florida daughter is heading to Boston for school next fall and I was looking for just this sort of information. She visited a couple of weeks ago and said she definitely needed more winter gear! She has a fleece jacket, a wool pea coat, some Uggs and rain boots, but from what I’ve read here, we have lots of gaps to fill!</p>
<p>I went to Marquette in Milwaukee…ear muffs were my favorite cold weather item. </p>
<p>I can’t even remember what I wore on my feet, but now I wear hiking boots with good wool socks to walk around NYC in the snow & cold. (love SmartWool socks). I think Uggs will be fine with wool socks. </p>
<p>I used to layer heavy wool sweaters with a down vest when it was above 20F, below that I wore an ugly ski jacket that I still have but was really warm. In the dead of winter, fashion goes out the window in the MidWest!</p>
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Now THAT made me laugh! I do know girls still wear some turtle-neck SWEATERS, but as far as an actual turtle neck…I don’t think they’d be caught dead! I wore a white turtle neck under a sweatshirt to h/s last year (I work there) and one of the girls saw me from behind and said “Oh no, what happened?” When I turned around, she said “Oh, I thought that was a neck brace!” At home, my daughter clued me in…no more turtlenecks for me!</p>
<p>Glad to know she is at Purdue! Make sure she knows that wise people before her put in lots of underground tunnels that connect many of the buildings, this will minimize her outdoor time…ask some upperclassmen to fill her in. Boiler Up!</p>
<p>I have a friend who combs Goodwill and Saint Vincent de Paul stores for wool sweaters which she recycles into beautiful (and toasty warm) mittens. She saves the pick of her discoveries for my daughter who now has an eclectic wardrobe of sweaters, none of which was purchased for more than a dollar or two.</p>
<p>I don’t wear wool ever. It makes my skin crawl. </p>
<p>I would say…the accessories (scarf, gloves, warm socks, hat) are MORE important than the jacket (the kiddo can layer things to make a warm “jacket”). If you have cold hands, feet, neck or head…you’re going to be cold no matter what kind of jacket or coat you have.</p>
<p>I live in CT and I’m ALWAYS cold…always. BUT I can go out in a winter weight fleece with a scarf, hat, gloves and my Uggs…and guess what? I’m NOT cold. </p>
<p>I can wear my warmest down coat (which is also knee length) and I’ll be cold without a scarf and gloves (the coat has a hood).</p>
<p>SO…make sure your kid’s have the right “accessories”. They can make all the difference.</p>
<p>Like I said…frequently in Boston…kids in PJ pants (with scarves and gloves though) were walking from the dorm to the dining hall.</p>
<p>I’m a veteran of winters in Detroit, Chicago, Boston, and Toronto.</p>
<p>I had a pea coat from my Navy days…they are drafty and not thick enough. Some commercial ones have extra insulation, but…</p>
<p>The big thing about feet is keeping them dry…so avoid cotton socks (they absorb sweat) in favor of wool, with or without polypropelene sock liners. Shoes/boots lined with Gore-Tex-type material to make them waterproof are a must. </p>
<p>If you want warmth without bulk, try a jacket or coat insulated with “Thinsulate.” </p>
<p>I agree with those who say Bauer/Bean/Land’s End have great stuff amazingly inexpensive.</p>
<p>I used to even layer my gloves! Cashmere lined leather gloves under wool mittens my aunt made me years before.</p>
<p>Son was hoping to attend Marquette, and we got some great jackets from Lands End, very inexpensive. Even though he decided to stay south for college, we took a whale watching trip in Northern Washington State, where it got cold and windy on the water. We made good use of those jackets from Lands End then. We are all plus size, and the jackets were under $60 apiece. We live in Louisiana, so we had no clue where to look. But my brothers and uncles duck hunt, and they say it gets quite chilly in the swamp, so you may find something at a local sporting goods store, like a Cabela’s or Bass Pro Shop.</p>