<p>Hi, I'm from California, and I have never seen snow or experienced temps below 40F before, so I'm a little clueless as far as dressing for cold weather. I'd like to start shopping for stuff now since winter clothes are on clearance, so can anyone give me tips on what to get? Parkas? Long underwear? Boots? </p>
<p>Thanks! :]</p>
<p>Do you want it from a parent’s perspective? Or a college student’s perspective? Parents can give you all kinds of advice about stuff that will sit in your closet. I think Swatties generally switch from shorts to jeans, flip-flops to sneakers, and t-shirts to a hoodie within a few days after the first significant snowfall of the year.</p>
<p>From a parent’s perspective:</p>
<p>a) You won’t need long underwear at Swarthmore.</p>
<p>b) If you can find yourself one winter jacket, along the lines of a North Face style water proof shell with a zip out fleece lining, that would be great. Get one with a hood and you can wear it in the rain without the lining and zip in the lining for playing in the snow in January. You don’t need polar expedition weight in Philadelphia.</p>
<p>c) If you can find yourself one pair of these new “winter” sneakers that companies like Timberland are making now, that would be great. They are sort of a cross between a lightweight hiking boot and a high-top basketball shoe. Waterproof, warm, and light. You don’t need polar expedition boots, just something that is comfy and dry for walking around in cold puddles and slush.</p>
<p>d) Sweaters, hoodies, and fleece pull-overs. To be honest, if I were walking to classes on a cold, but dry winter day, I’d probably wear a fleece pullover and leave the jacket in the closet, too. You get cold when you are standing around outside, not when you are walking.</p>
<p>e) Pair of warm thinsulate gloves. Some kind of knit cap to cover your ears when it’s cold. That’s about all you need.</p>
<p>Think what you would wear on one of the bone-chilling misty cold nights in San Francisco. That’s mostly what you be up against in Philadelphia.</p>
<p>no big deal, if you need anything you can buy it used at the Goodwill in Swarthmore</p>
<p>Lands End and LLBean are both great sources. You can do your ordering on the computer. You could even wait until you are at Swat and have things shipped to the school. Lands End “all weather moc” has become a staple in our household. They are extremely comfortable, waterproof. It is what my sons wear all winter except in the most dire circumstances. Don’t over buy, don’t overpack. It will be colder than you are used to but Philladelphia is not Alaska or even upstate new york, which is where we live. Other than the occasional freak snow storm (Philly got more snow than we did last year, but that is very unusual) it is relatively mild.</p>
<p>I have a sweatshirt, a fleece, a big jacket for when it gets really cold, and gloves. A rain jacket is good, too. Usually I don’t need the big jacket until Thanksgiving, so you don’t need to bring a winter coat with you during the summer if you go home for Thanksgiving break or fall break.</p>
<p>I live 40 minutes south of Swat, so I’ll take a gander that the weather will be almost exactly the same. 
Wrt personal tolerance, I’ve lived in Canada before but unfortunately did not pick up the temperature tolerance while I was there. In the fall/spring, I’m often overdressed compared to my friends here in DE. So–</p>
<p>1) I have this gorgeous down jacket that I’ve worn maybe twice in the two years since I bought it. I’ve another winter coat, just your standard black military jacket (lined) from H&M, that I wear tons. A lined North Face shell sounds about right.</p>
<p>2) It will rain. Not like in the Pacific NW, but annoyingly often and sporadically. Crucial to have a few jackets of different weights with hoods; I have a trench coat that I love but constantly lament its lack of a hood.</p>
<p>3) I’ve never heard of winter sneakers (maybe a guy thing?). Boots are crucial for the winter, though, because snowfall isn’t huge (except this anomalous past winter) and it quickly turns into slush. Waterproof boots are nice for playing in the snow, if there is actually enough snow to play in. My standard winter footwear is alternating between low-heeled leather boots and flat “sweater” boots. Keep in mind that I hate wearing sneakers; you could probably get away with regular non-waterproof sneakers for a good deal of the winter.</p>
<p>4) No long underwear. (But if you’re female and like wearing skirts/dresses, invest in tights. The winter temps are just about right for skirt+thick tights, as long as you aren’t romping around outside for a long time.)</p>
<p>5) Gloves are lovely (not ski gloves). I need to get a winter hat, because the wind does chill your ears.</p>
<p>An example of GoreTex, waterproof, “sneakers”, aka trail shoes, or hiking shoes.</p>
<p>[Gore-Tex</a> Adventure Trail Shoes: Athletic at L.L.Bean](<a href=“http://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/61234?parentCategory=502780&feat=502780-tn&cat4=502775]Gore-Tex”>http://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/61234?parentCategory=502780&feat=502780-tn&cat4=502775)</p>
<p>Something llke this would be a good all-purpose shoe for walking around Swarthmore in the rain, slush, or snow without having to wear boots or suffer wet feet all day.</p>
<p>yeah these people all hit on the important points. keep in mind though, PA weather is schizophrenic. aside from winters, which from november through february can end up alternating between beautiful spring weather and deathly cold weather… the beginning of the school year (i.e. late august and early september) are going to be very warm. really warm. and as we move into may the temps are already pushing the 80s. but yeah, this isn’t antartica, a winter jacket and a few hoodies should do it :)</p>
<p>Oh, yes. Very schizo. It drives me nuts.</p>