<p>I'm from Texas, so I'm obviously going to have to buy some new clothes to live in Chicago. What's a good jacket for this weather - or am I going to have buy 2 or 3 depending on the exact temperature?</p>
<p>I'm basically looking for brand suggestions, since apparently most jackets around me won't cut it.</p>
<p>Peacoats are popular and, as far as I know, satisfying.
As an alternative, I recommend something with a hood.</p>
<p>This isn’t as difficult a decision as your might fear. It’s easy to survive a Chicago winter with a thin, fleece-line cotton/polyester coat. </p>
<p>Avoid ‘puffy’ coats. I find it hard to respect people who wear them. Just a thought. </p>
<p>P.S… you might be tempted to buy boots, but, again, these aren’t really necessary. Avoid long walks along the lakeshore and tennis shoes should suffice.</p>
<p>Good luck with your decision.</p>
<p>… I wear a puffy coat, its really warm and comfortable and I look like the Michellin man so its a plus.</p>
<p>But yeah its not about brand so much as coat type. If you want to conform and look mature, go for a black peacoat/ overcoat that everyone has. Or one of those heavy jackets with 3 layers that also functions as a raincoat (find them at any outdoors store)</p>
<p>I don’t know whether LLBean or Land’s End would have anything you would like, but they do offer suggestions for temperatures. Get something that will block the wind. You will not need it in August, so you may want to wait to see what students there say keeps them warm.</p>
<p>I went to school in northern Iowa and it is a different kind of cold.</p>