Winter Clothes for UPSTATE NY!!!

kk06
Tue, 26 Dec 2006 00:07:32 +0000

Just reading through the post…here are some additions for everyone moving ‘up north’ from warmer climates. I live in upstate NY, so don’t think you’ll need all this stuff in say - Philly. For the Buffalo, upstate NY, VT, NH, ME, & parts of Mass. this should be useful.

-Unless you’re going to be outside for a long period of time, long underwear aren’t necessary. 99% of the time, buildings have their heat cranked up around 80 during winter.

-Plan on bringing warm clothes. You may not think it will be cold by October/November, but the first snowfall is usually around then. During that time of year the weather fluctuates like crazy, shorts and a t-shirt one day, jeans and a hoodie the next. Plan on doing a LOT of layering.

-One good coat can make all the difference! Those 3-in-1 Columbia jackets are really popular, especially in windy communities. They really do get worn all year round, despite the fact that peacoats are generally cuter. Northfaces are everywhere too (alongside Columbia jackets), so pick whichever you like better – i’ve found that they’re extremely similar in quality.

-Gloves are a must. So is lotion, for all those times when you forget your gloves and your hands get chapped! Scarves are also great, as are earmuffs. You WILL get cold.

-Ask students how warm the dorms are in the winter. Some places keep it 65 all the time, others crank the heat there as well as the other buildings. If it’s the former, a down blanket is amazingly warm and can be used for 3 seasons.

Basically, plan on layering your items. Make sure you have tshirts, long sleeved shirts, sweaters, hoodies, and coats. Bring comfy, warm sweats for days when you feel like being lazy and bring an extra blanket or two if you hear the rooms are on the chilly side. Flannel sheets are a godsend, unless your dorm is a sauna like mine. Zip up fleeces are everywhere as well – Old Navy usually has a ton for about 10 dollars, or you can grab a North Face one for significantly more. I would definitely stress getting fleeces or bringing a lot of hoodies though - they are AMAZING for fall/spring days, or for layering underneath a winter coat when it gets bitterly cold. Finally, don’t worry about getting boots before you go to college. You will know by mid-October or early November if you want some, and you can always pick them up over parents weekend or Thanksgiving break. Uggs are everywhere, and they’re certainly nice and warm, but make sure the get the waterproofing liquid with them so they do not get stained, and consider completely waterproof boots instead of Uggs if you will be walking through a lot of puddles or unshoveled sidewalks. Uggs will result in wet feet if you’re walking through anything wet for any length of time.

I know that was pretty long and marginally repetitive, but I hope it helped!