Hey everybody!
So, I’m an international student and was admitted to the McGill Faculty of Arts. I’m 90% sure I’ll be going there (Hopefully they won’t rescind my offer).
Anyway, I know this may sound a little weird/stupid but being an international student (girl) and never having been to the US/Canada, I’m very confused about what college students wear to class, parties, events, in winters, etc.
It’s one of the things I’m thinking about since I don’t want to be there dressed funnily (maybe?) or something.
For eg, I was looking at jackets online and theres a lot of different types and idk what passes off as “ok” to wear/ not attract stares lol.
If you could share links or something that that would be alright too. Again, sorry for the randoma*s question!
Thanks in advance and I hope you all have a wonderful college experience 
There is a lot of shopping available quite close to the McGill campus. If you find that you don’t have what you want to fit in to the community, you will find it pretty much right there. There is a very large underground shopping area that you will definitely want to check out that has at least one entrance quite near the information center where you go for tours. You can shop underground and walk for a few miles with store after store. There are also a few large stores close by.
You will need good winter gear (assuming you will be there in January and February). Again this is available in stores that are very close by.
My impression is that people in Montreal dress a bit better than in the US, but not much differently than people in Europe. You will figure this out however when you are there. Blue jeans seem to be the international uniform for students (or at least the lower half of the international uniform).
Great school. Great city. Expect to work very hard and to learn a lot. Keep up with the work, and you will graduate with a degree that is respected everywhere in the world. Good luck with this!
You can figure out what you need (and what the norm is) when you arrive. In addition to the local shopping, you will still be able to shop online. That’s probably a better strategy than doing it in advance.
You can get an idea, though, simply by looking through their website and social media sites. Great school, great city!
You won’t have too much time or energy for fashion during the Montreal winters. It gets cold and the wind bites with high humidity from the river. That being said, the people of Montreal combine European flair with excellent mixed North American genetics, probably the most beautiful people on the continent. Clothing tends to be fashionable, of high quality but not horribly expensive (especially for students).
Invest in an long coat (with a hood) and warm boots first. You tend to get a lot of snow and ice. The Canadians are experts at staying warm. I’ve been there when it is -25C. Average temp in January is -9C.
Something very very very warm.
Thanks a lot everybody!
I will definitely do most of my “winter shopping” in Montreal, considering that I come from the tropics!
But normal class wear and all might be too expensive out there? Is it?
@TooOld4School Yes! The photos and stuff that I have seen till now left me pretty much awestruck at that people can be so beautifully dressed at random occasions in Montreal. I hope i can keep up haha
It doesn’t happen too often, but it can go as low as -35C in the area. It is always a little warmer in Montreal because of the river. What amazed me is how Montrealers dress stylishly even at those winter temperatures (while I was puffed out with multiple layers). Students still wear jeans and T-shirts, but perhaps a bit less slovenly than is typical on other campuses. McGill has a beautiful campus and the location is in the heart of the city. The nearby old city is exceptionally charming and walkable from campus.
You’ll become as intrepid as a Canadian in no time. Great skiing/snowboarding is nearby too - Mt Tremblant, etc is only about 90 min away. Make sure you experience the great winter sports that Canada has to offer- skating, curling (!), hockey etc… Don’t forget to get a set of ice trekkers (cleats for your boots or shoes), ice storms are very common.