<p>(also posted on the parents forum but I thought I'd ask Jumbos for their excellent advice too)</p>
<p>We live in the Bay Area where the winters are very mild. Should we try and figure out what my D will need before the first rain-snow storm hits, or let her figure it out once she's there? I assume she'll get good advice from fellow students who are more savvy about what kind of boots and coats work best, but I have no idea what a reasonable budget is or what kinds of stores are accessible besides the high end stores. I guess I'm trying to stave off the phone call where she tells me she bought such and such and I say "how much????" since I don't really know what's reasonable or necessary for New England winters. Uggs, for instance?</p>
<p>It’s been awhile since I’ve lived in Boston, and I am a male, but I found that most the time a good pair of jeans , a hoodie, beanie, and northface esque jacket did the trick</p>
<p>Uggs don’t cover the waterproof need…might be comfy for getting around quickly between places but if she has to trudge through rain or snow…she needs leather and or rubber.
Google “college clothing lists” and you will find!</p>
<p>Pea coats are good until it hits below 40 degrees–then you’d want to look for something warmer. There’s North Face, but I think that brand’s a bit overrated because you can get winter coats that are just as good as North Face for a lower price.</p>
<p>In NYC, which is a tad warmer than Boston, the winter gear here consists of Uggs for warmth, then something that’s waterproof for the snow. Also, the rubber rain boots are popular for rain (obviously) but they aren’t warm. Fleece jackets work well until it gets really cold, then some kind of down or similar jacket would work. Even though Uggs were supposedly out of fashion, they are extremely popular here and they still haven’t gone out of style. They just keep making new ones.</p>
<p>I would say the most important need is footwear that is both warm and 100% waterproof. Not water-resistant, water-PROOF. Freezing rain is a common occurrence, and for about one week in the early spring, the temperature hovers right AT the freezing point, which leads to a profusion of sometimes shockingly deep and completely unavoidable puddles all around campus. These puddles need to be walked THROUGH. Not around, not jumped over, THROUGH. For this ungodly week (and don’t get me wrong, I love Tufts most of this time, but this week is a nightmare) I recommend Wellington boots with thick, fleecy socks.
Uggs will not be anywhere close to sufficient, as they aren’t waterproof.</p>
<p>There are few things worse than sitting in class in shoes that are not only soaking wet, but soaking wet with freezing cold water.</p>
<p>I posted on the parents forum already, but just thought of something, under armour, or something comparable. I know D has the Nike brand of it. Very thin and lightweight, but can be put under anything for the coldest of days. </p>
<p>Thanks everyone- great advice. D is thinking about Uggs for drier days, rainboots from Target or somesuch for “that week”; layers with Under Armour type stuff, a wool coat and a rain coat. Oh, and socks. Lots of socks :)</p>
<p>I recommend a really good umbrella. Flimsy umbrella’s will collapse on you and you don’t want that to happen 5 minutes into your walk to class (e.g. end up coming to class completely soaked).</p>
<p>I second getting some sort of rain boots or heavy work shoes that cover a large portion of the leg. I’ve stepped into 7 inch puddles here and it wasn’t pretty.</p>
<p>Broverstock.us offers discounted clothing for men and offer some suggestions on the best clothes for winter here [Broverstock.us</a> | 5 Winter Essentials for New England Colleges](<a href=“broverstock.us”>broverstock.us)</p>
<p>I’m fond of the LLBean 3-in-1 jacket [Weather</a> Challenger 3-in-1 Jacket: Winter Jackets | Free Shipping at L.L.Bean](<a href=“L.L.Bean: Page Not Available”>L.L.Bean: Page Not Available)
…or the Lands End equivalent.
Works for multiple seasons.</p>
<p>Also remember, unless they are into outdoor sports, they only need to walk across campus in the cold. It does seem like a long walk though on a cold windy day!</p>