<p>"And you can get perfectly good winter boots from Target - no need to buy Sorels - it is not as if you will be going ice fishing."</p>
<p>LOL MidwestMom... you never know ;)</p>
<p>Hey, no need to go to Freeport to shop at LL Bean, there is a great store right here in Pennsylvania, about an hour north of Philadelphia in Center Valley. </p>
<p>I vote with the hoodie and hat for now, buy more when you get here.</p>
<p>My college son has and uses his umbrella. He actually asked for one and was thought the one I picked out was pretty cool because it had an LED light in the handle. Unfortunately the light burnt out before the school year was done and the batteries to replace it cost almost as much as the umbrella.</p>
<p>well in high school we dont use umbrellas since you don't have to walk a lot, but I took summer courses for high schoolers in NYC and I assure you that everyone was carrying a small umbrella in their bag for those sporadic summer showers.
nobody wants to be stuck in the rain without an umbrella in the city
all the vendors come out and hike up the prices like its no tomorrow =P</p>
<p>Cover hands and head especially. Get good waterproof boots. A good coat. Dress in layers.
And the real secret: long underwear. Check out Damart
[url=<a href="http://www.damartusa.com/portal/page?_pageid=53,373191,53_373218&_dad=portal&_schema=PORTAL%5DDamartOnline%5B/url">http://www.damartusa.com/portal/page?_pageid=53,373191,53_373218&_dad=portal&_schema=PORTAL]DamartOnline[/url</a>]</p>
<p>my S never used an umbrella in his life until he got on a college campus.College kids walk alot,H.S. kids don't. You'll need hoodies,probably emblazoned with the name of your college on the front.Around the middle of October you'll probably start needing a fleece jacket of some kind.After your first year you'll be more acclimated to the weather and your hoodie wearing/fleece wearing schedule will probably get pushed back a couple of weeks!!</p>
<p>Fun rain boots are very fashionable for girls ... no need to spend a lot of money on them. Many girls order online from Target.</p>
<p>I think that the biggest thing that Californians are unprepared for when moving back East is the differences in footwear. No more year-round sandals and open-toed shoes. I've known so many people who have had to throw out shoes after moving to the East coast because they get ruined in the rain, snow, slush, so prepare yourself by getting some comfortable, all-weather boots or shoes. People tend to remove them and leave them by the door when they come into the room--so they're only meant to keep your feet warm and dry while outside--but they will get a beating!</p>
<p>i don't know of any college kids that wear long underwear.</p>
<p>You've been getting good advice, most of it. Jeans, decent sneakers, hoodies and a fleece will be plenty to get you started. As the weather gets colder you can take the Target shuttle or walk to the mall to buy the stuff you'll want eventually--a winter jacket, gloves, scarf, hat. Don't bother with boots unless you really like them or are outdoorsy, though you might want some Merrells or other shoes that are somewhat waterproof. They work just as well as boots in low-snow. </p>
<p>Many (most?) students don't tend to get all bundled up unless it's unusually cold, but Californians' definition of "unusually cold" doesn't always match everyone else's.</p>
<p>Hoodies - lots of Hoodies and that will get you through until it snows. If it snows.
Down jackets (esp "puffy" ones) are out - Pea coats are in.
Jeans are in. shorts are in.</p>
<p>Definitely bring warm weather clothes - it is still quite warm through Sept.
Forget LL Bean - unless you are going to ski etc. My kids won't touch them.
I can't imagine needing long underwear in Philly. Layer long sleeve shirts.</p>
<p>gloves are important - they like scarves too. with a hoodie.
my kids will use an umbrella before they will be caught dead in a raincoat.
Don't buy cold weather clothes until you get here.
Footwear - you finally have an excuse to waste your money on UGGGG Boots! ;) (I hate them!!)</p>
<p>My kids wear flipflops year round. My oldest got fleece lined ones and if the temp is above freezing and it's sunny she wears them.</p>
<p>Thanks for all the great advice, everyone! I got a rain coat and I have a pretty good variety of layerable clothes, so I feel cautiously well-prepared!</p>