<p>Okay, we are from California and I have no clue what my D should wear for outerwear. If she is wearing an audition dress and heels, does she change I to snow boots? Is a parka okay or will she need a dressier coat? Planning for next year -- but totally clueless. It was 70 here today BTW.</p>
<p>A parka is absolutely fine! Boots may be beneficial if the weather is messy–find something easy to carry and slip on/off. Gloves or mittens are crucial, and a scarf (if not hat) will also be welcome.</p>
<p>Wool socks are apparently THE most welcome gift to college students in the cold and snowy climes. We like the Smartwool brand.</p>
<p>Jazz or sweatpants to pull on under the dress and boots and a warm coat. Then change when you get in the warm building. My D started out being fashion conscious, (she thought being a Michigan native she could withstand anything) but soon decided warmth was a better option. It is the coldest/snowiest January on record this year in Michigan. Brrrr. So cold today that UMich cancelled classes for the first time since 1978. </p>
<p>Northwestern has cancelled classes twice this year because of the cold weather, my son has been wearing his down coat (nicknames Puff Puff when we bought it before his freshman year) and his hat with ear flaps without complaining. </p>
<p>Hope the Polar vortex disappears before you all get there for Chicago Unifieds this weekend. I second kategrizz’s sweatpants/jazz pants under the dress suggestion. It was cold and windy in NYC last weekend and my hardy New Englander was not a happy camper as she moved from building to building for her auditions! Hat, scarf and gloves are also necessary, saw a number of Ugg type boots for the sloppy streets and a quick change into heels/nice boots for auditions-the guys had it a bit easier…</p>
<p>Thanks everyone. Hard to believe we will be going through this a year from now!</p>
<p>I would plan to attend LA unifieds if I were you LOL</p>
<p>Hmmmm. That might be the answer!</p>
<p>Wrote this in another thread. Take it from someone who grew up on the shores of Lake Erie where the wind woudl just howl all winter long. Boots. Good ones. The key to staying warm in the winter months is to keep your feet warm. They get cold, the rest of your body is cold no matter what.</p>
<p>Parka - yes, don’t worry about fashion. Wear layers when outside. And definitely alternate shoes or boots for walking through the parking lot. And wool socks like others have said. </p>
<p>Also, write this advice somewhere with an automatic notification to review before your first audition next year because with everything going on getting ready for that you may forget. At least D and I did! At first on-site audition in December, day after a major snow storm and D wore her nice audition shoes and the choice of shoes didn’t cross my mind. We get to campus and even though still very cold there were already many large water puddles. I thought I might have to carry her! She worked around the edges but shoes were a bit wet. Learn from us and don’t do that!!</p>
<p>D born in Rochester, NY, undergrad conservatory in Cleveland and grad school in Chicago, and as a singer, is very fashion-forward but also extremely concerned for her voice and health. She wears a down parka from Eddie Bauer and either Uggs or her fleece lined knee-high Sperry waterproof boots. Scarves in ALL seasons, a beret (under an ear-flap hat and her hood when it’s -40 in Chicago!) and thinsulate Isotoner gloves (leopard print!). Her classmates from warmer climates have been freezing and wearing their Uggs since October! Leggings and tights are a must.
When she auditions, she will try to change at the event, if at all possible, or else wear boots through the snow- flats if it’s dry- and carries her heels in her tote bag with her music. She suggests always packing a pashmina in your bag because you can toss it over your shoulders while waiting to go on, wrap it around your face to protect from wind or bundle it up for an impromptu pillow.
I have to say that D was giggling when she called home today because while she was downtown to do some research and practice she saw some of the young ladies from Unifieds trying to make it through the snow while wearing heels and short dresses as they were trooping to Panera Bread. It’s better to be warm and dry because no one else cares what you look like out on the streets- pull on some leggings and boots and stay warm!</p>