<p>When I was at Columbia I used to wear those Chinese cloth Maryjanes. I confess sometimes my feet did get cold. My kids wear fleece jackets as long as they can and then switch to down or one of the modern substitutes. (REI and EMS make them.) I personally think gloves and hats are essential, but the rest is up to you.</p>
<p>ebeeee:</p>
<p>Carhartt! :rolleyes: That's hilarious. </p>
<p>Only in a place where no one is really a blue color worker would that be a fashion statement. Funny.</p>
<p>D finally added a "nice" winter coat to her wardrobe, because her activities had her going to the met for the opera, Kennedy Center for plays, etc., with her school. Other than that, fleece and a down jacket serve her well. If your son is a musician and will be attending concerts, etc., he might want a slightly nicer jacket, maybe not this year, but in the future. Wait and see.</p>
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<blockquote> <p>If your son is a musician and will be attending concerts, etc., he might want a slightly nicer jacket, maybe not this year, but in the future.>></p> </blockquote>
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<p>Music majors are a totally different issue. DS (the kid in Boston) does have a dress camel hair topcoat (with a scarf and leather gloves) that he wears with his tux or suit. Music majors have very different clothes in their closets than most college students (suits, tuxes, dress shoes, dress shirts, ties, sports jacket, etc). BUT that is totally different than his regular "winter college clothes". He has a bunch of hoodies, a fleece jacket, hat, and warm gloves (another musician thing...warm hands) and a scarf. No boots, no long underwear (and he does ski, btw), no parka, no sweaters (he says the girls wear sweaters...the guys do not), no corduroy (says that is dorky), no flannel shirts, no flannel lined pants...you get the picture.</p>
<p>I totally second, or maybe third, Weenie's post. My S is in his third "winter" in NYC (since it was 60 today, it hardly seems like it, but I'm sure it'll be more typical by Jan.) He has never worn boots, or long underwear, or sweaters. T-shirt, hoodie, winter coat. That's what he lives in. Jeans, sneakers, regular ol' gym socks. Gloves and hat when he hasn't lost them.</p>
<p>Snow is one of the great wonders of the world. And snow in NYC, at least at first, is truly magical.</p>
<p>Some of S's best times have been sledding (or traying) down the library steps, and in Central Park.</p>
<p>I could never live in a place without real seasons.</p>
<p>Hmm, well I live in Michigan. Usually I wear:</p>
<p>Tennis shoes, regular socks, jeans, t-shirt (sometimes long-sleeve), fleece/sweatshirt. I keep pretty warm I must say. If it's really cold I'll wear a hat/gloves + jacket. Though I usually can make it through 80% of the winter wearing just Tennis shoes, regular socks, jeans, t-shirt (sometimes long-sleeve), fleece/sweatshirt</p>
<p>Not to worry. NYC is rarely cold. Temps in the 30's and 40's are common in the dead of winter. Plus I decided I like global warming so I am burning old tires in the backyard.</p>
<p>My kids all have the North Face Denali fleece jacket and love it. Of course, they live in northern California :D, but they can wear it on their frequent trips to the East as well. <a href="http://www.thenorthface.com/opencms/opencms/tnf/gear.jsp?site=NA&model=A193%5B/url%5D">http://www.thenorthface.com/opencms/opencms/tnf/gear.jsp?site=NA&model=A193</a> </p>
<p>I also agree that it is best to get everything there. The selection is better and then he'll know what the other people have and how they like it.</p>
<p>I remember going on the Williams tour, in a "cold snap" day in February (zero or thereabouts) and the tour guide, who was quite petite, had jeans on and what looked like a lightweight fleece pullover. She seemed just fine and I thought, "These kids still have working metabolisms!". </p>
<p>Dark colors. One of the things about the East that Californians don't realize is how sooty and dirty the air is and how you can't keep light-colored coats clean or looking nice.</p>
<p>what college is he going to in NYC?
columbia? NYU? many others r there too, i need to look 'em up</p>
<p>:)</p>
<p>We live in a cold place--well, it used to be---and S wears hiking boots most of the winter. He has a North Face primaloft jacket and a North Face hooded waterproof jacket. If you layer them, it's good for any amount of coldness, but they can be worn separately for rain or less severe cold. With gloves and a warm hat (that he'll probably never wear), that's all you need. We got these layers for a trip to Greenland and we were toasty.</p>
<p>I don't see what's so bad about a nice sweater. I have one my girlfriend picked up from structure, and it looks mighty fine with a collared shirt.</p>
<p>Is 23 really that old? C'mon...tell me I'm not uncool...</p>
<p>I think 'cold' is a matter of perspective. I lived in the Chicago/Lake Michigan area most of my life before being relocated to the NYC area almost a dozen years ago. I can say that the weather here is much milder than what I grew up with. When S was in high school, he rarely wore more than jeans, a t-shirt with a fleece sweatshirt over it, socks and sneakers. If it got bitter cold, which does happen occasionally, he would pull out his heavier winter coat, but only out of duress. The one thing I would suggest is some type of waterproof jacket and/or rain slicker. This can be a lifesaver on a day when it is raining heavily. S complained when I first purchased a rain slicker for him and claimed he would not wear it. However, it did come out of the closet and it did go off to college with him.</p>
<p>Hiking boots in NYC?</p>
<p>Some winter days <em>are</em> brutal in the city, but mostly because of the wind, which whips between the buildings and up the avenues. Still, kids are kids - and they will always try to look tough, as though the elements don't bother them.</p>
<p>Listen to weenie: fleece, hoodies, T-shirts, jeans. Minimum two pairs of sneakers so one can be drying while the other is being worn. I'm sure the dorms will be as stifling hot as dorms are elsewhere, so short sleeves will be as important as a coat.</p>
<p>As for the coat, I'm sure he'll want a ski jacket or something similar. Not too bulky, but warm. And he'll need a midweight coat as well. Gloves and a hat are essential. </p>
<p>If you want to buy that stuff now, keep in mind that, starting in January, our stores start filling up with bathing suits and spring fashions. The clearance sales after Christmas may have slim pickings, depending on how strong holiday sales numbers are. Really, with all the enticements stores are offering, now is the time to get winter clothing.</p>
<p>With respect to coats, Columbia jackets seem to be very popular (and practical) in my neck of the woods (upper midwest); not too bulky and include fleece liners that can be removed when it's warmer or the fleece can be worn alone without the outer coat. This was S's favorite style coat all through high school. Also for kids who do not like to wear hats, be sure to get some nice thermal earmuffs.</p>
<p>Not hiking boots but there are lots of waterproof shoes available nowadays. I'd choose one with soles with good traction as well-shoveled sidewalks can be a bit slippery at times.</p>
<p>Another vote for minimal purchases. My son has two pair of converse sneakers (one with holes, and one without) and that's what he wears most of the time. He does own hiking boots but they are for actual hiking, not walking around campus. However, I totally understand the urge to buy something so you feel that he will be warm. I would go for a beanie from the college store and a fleece jacket. I just bought a nice Columbia fleece for my nephew that goes to Cornell but is from NYC. It was on sale for 50% off last week. Mail him a pair of gloves in October with some cookies and he'll be good to go.</p>
<p>68 degrees in NYC today !!!</p>
<p>There are hiking boots that look a lot like sneakers but are waterproof. Maybe boots was the wrong word. The dirty slush in cities can be miserable.</p>
<p>^Yes, that's true. But my S has been walking through it in sneakers for two years now. :/</p>
<p>S in Boston also has one pair of sneakers/tennis shoes and one pair of comfortable/sturdy dark colored leather shoes - similar to a work boot or hiking boot but also pass for "dress" shoes (he is in a couple of bands that give semi-dressy performances). Also flip flops for shower and sandals for hanging out in dorm and warmer weather when you don't have to wear socks...</p>