<p>As I anxiously await my August departure date, I wonder: am I really only supposed to take a snow coat? Anyone who has gone to Carleton...please let me know what kind of clothes to buy...I'm not really sure...I'm really iffy. Any recommendations are welcome...</p>
<p>The recommendations that have been going out on the Carleton parents email list is to wait to buy a coat til you get there. As to clothes, get clothes you can layer.</p>
<p>A snow coat can wait until winter term. Do be able to dress for 80 degrees in September and for 30 degrees at night towards finals. Fall term isn't really very cold, though you will want some kind of jacket for the second half of the term to wear at night as it can get a little chilly.</p>
<p>I don't know what you mean by a "snow coat," but if you mean just a winter jacket, you'll probably want to get one by mid-October or so. I don't know what you're used to, but some people who have never experienced temperatures in the 20s (which is certainly possible in late October/early November) have a tough time adjusting in the beginning.</p>
<p>the carleton website had (last summer) a student=produced video that started off with a winter scene and a bit of Minnesota humor. Take that scene seriously once January hits. Halloween in the general area tended to be rather snowy 10 yrs or so ago. Layers are a great thing, but coats for the bitter cold are better.</p>
<p>A high quality fleece designed for low temps (North Face Denali , Columbia Titanium, etc.) is a great early cold weather alternative. Light weight but very warm, can be layered with sweaters...don't skimp on quality!
A good down filled jacket is advisable when the really cold weather hits- again, we like The North Face. If anyone else has a favorite brand to recommend, feel free to weigh in...</p>
<p>Lined gloves, a wam hat of some kind. Coat with a hood (detachable or not) is a great thing to have.
You dont want to freeze after a day of broomball and/or traying. Or just from walking across campus.
Check LLBean/LandsEnd - their winter coats/attire will be suitable as well. And NorthFace is a great brand.</p>