<p>I know I asked this last year, but was hoping my Midwestern and East Coast friends could help out this Californian. It sounds like my D is going to need snow boots. I was looking on Zappos and saw some nice ones, but have no idea what young women her age are wearing. Any advice on styles or brands? Same thing for winter coats -- styles? brands? If we make this investment, I want to make sure it is something she will want to wear when she gets to college. Also, if she is wearing a dress to audition, does she pull on some kind of fleece pants underneath or just change when she gets there? Thanks for helping out this clueless Californian!</p>
<p>My daughter has always opted for a longer coat to cover her rear. Wool coats can be classic and transition from daily to dress wear. Quilted/filled coats will block the wind better. Hoods are great and help keep the neck area warmer. Be sure to leave room for layers underneath the coat. Boots should be taller (not ankle) if heading for a snow area. Style/look/fit are all personal choices. :)</p>
<p>I would think re: boots most likely shed want snow boots to wear outside and would change to her audition wear, including shoes, once inside. Our D wore simple nude heels for all of her auditions. But wear what looks best on you and makes you feel most comfortable. Re: coats - I agree, if you are wearing it with a dress you may want a dress length coat. If you are wearing pants you have more options. I don’t think brands matter - but since you asked - Our daughter opts for LL Bean duck boots and a quilted down vest or her north face fleece jacket or patagonia pullover most days in winter when being casual. But she also has a wool pea coat and a down ski jacket for really cold days. She also likes the wool knit headband ear Warmers when it’s really cold. </p>
<p>I think rain boots are perfect! They come in so many patterns, colors and choices and they are perfect for those really rainy days or a snowy one!</p>
<p>My D’s favorite boots (tall riding boots) are “distressed” so there is a more room for error. That said, I carried a washcloth in the audition bag so I could wipe them down if they got salt-y. The day we went to CMU it was FREEZING, and the sidewalks were caked in salt (it was too cold for it to work and melt) I used the cloth that day after we got in the building. When we went to Chicago for unifieds it had been snowing quite a bit, the 1st day there the streets were full of soupy slushy disgusting slop (a common problem in an urban winter). D elected to wear weatherproof boots to get to auditions (that was NYU and Syracuse, neither of which was in the Palmer House) and then put her “cute” boots on when we arrived. I got to hold the dripping boots- just one of the perks of being the Sherpa-mom!</p>
<p>We bought D a dress coat for Christmas last year (in prep for auditions, most of which were Jan/Feb). Went with something classic that (hopefully) will carry her through college and into young adulthood. We saw people at auditions arriving in every style of outerwear- from a full length fur (had to giggle a little) to ski coats and every style in between. D said she liked feeling “pulled together” b/c it looked like her coat went with her outfits- but it certainly doesn’t matter for the audition</p>
<p>Thanks, all. This is really helpful!</p>
<p>If you go with rain boots buy some insulated inserts, I know they make these for duck boots.</p>
<p>As someone who lives in the lake effect snow belt in northern Indiana, I always find these threads so funny. (Funny in a sweet way - not funny in a mean way! :)</p>
<p>The ONLY time my kids or myself wear snow boots is when we shovel. (And we shoveled in the FEET not inches this past winter.) And it takes pretty much zero degree weather for us to throw on anything other than a spring jacket or hoodie. </p>
<p>KaMaMom, that’s funny, in a very sweet way. As a Floridian, I’m wondering how much of a winter wardrobe to invest in for my D. If she ends up in a northern school, money well spent, if not… Also, we have no idea what winter clothes are actually practical(and maybe a little fashionable?). Anyways, I’m way more worried about driving in winter weather. Oh well, this whole experience is an adventure, I guess.</p>
<p>mtflmomof1 - honestly, I think it really depends on the school. I know a couple of kids who go to Concordia in Wisconsin and they never set foot outside in the winter! :)</p>
<p><a href=“Students at Wis. college have cozy walk to class”>Students at Wis. college have cozy walk to class;
<p>@KaMaMom being from Michigan I’m with you. When we were in Chicago we ran to the restaurant a couple doors down and the subway across the street without our coats. In fact my D decided she didn’t want to apply to schools that didn’t have the seasons including winter! Same as you, the only time I use snow boots are to shovel and my daughters boots are more for fashion.</p>
<p>Whether you are used to the weather or not, it’s probably a good idea to have an extra pair of shoes if you are somewhere that you must walk through rain, ice, or snow for any length of time. Change into your audition apparel once inside the audition venue if necessary. More often than not, this will not even be an issue. we never left the Palmer House during Unified auditions. and the on campus auditions we did we fortunately had good weather. So changing was not necessary. Even so, D usually wore a different pair of shoes when walking outside and changed into her audition shoes once inside. You want the clothes you audition in to look clean and neat, including your shoes. So do what you need to to present yourself well. How cold you get is obviously different from person to person. But do make sure you arrive for your audition looking your best. And make sure your singer stays warm and dry and keeps their voice hydrated. </p>
<p>The girl from Alaska is laughing at this thread ;))
And I wear “stylish boots” in the winter unless I’m camping or hiking in which case I dig out the heavy duty boots. And I have a wool pea coat which works nicely in most weather with nearly everything :). I think it’s from land send… </p>
<p>My D has lived in NYC for the past four years and is a Southern California girl. Her winter coat is either a Northface or Patagonia (I can’t remember which brand we bought last fall at REI in Soho to replace the coat we bought freshman year) coat that is long and is lightweight down in black with a hood. She also has the black Northface fleece for the fall/spring when she needs some warmth. Boots are Hunter’s (in black) with the fleece linings that she wears for both rain and snow.</p>
<p>Hoods are an awesome thing when it’s really cold. Also a big fan of fleece socks, especially if you know you’re going to be standing around outside in the cold for a long time (football games, etc.) Though I have to say, having had a son in Chi-beria last winter, he and his classmates did not spend a whole lot of time outside during the worst of it. (Dorms connected to classrooms and cafeterias and gyms…didn’t have to.)</p>
<p>My D slipped jazz pants on under her dress and boots for outside walks at auditions and changed out of oants and into audition shoes after the walks. She still froze… But not as much! We live in Michigan…but this winter was especially brutal. </p>
<p>My D goes to Northwestern and my other D just graduated from Williams. They will need warm winter clothes on most campuses in the north and the northeast. I think the people who are saying they don’t wear winter clothes in the winter drive most places? (Correct me if I’m wrong.) If you are walking, however - down 12 city blocks, across campus, to the train - you will most certainly, 100%, need warm winter clothes.</p>
<p>We buy our stuff from a great local used clothing store. You don’t have to buy very expensive name brands if you don’t have the budget for it. Look for sales and outlets if you don’t have a good thrift store or if your thrift store doesn’t stock winter items.</p>
<p>As I"ve said in other posts, you should buy earmuffs. When they go to auditions, they don’t want to mess their hair, but their ears get really cold. Scarves really help too. Also gloves.</p>
<p>Coats: Wool looks classier but down is warmer. I would opt for down personally because I like being warm. It’s also important for them to feel as comfortable as possible going into the audition. You don’t need brands like Northface as that is quite expensive although nice. Again, you can purchase warm coats on sale. Look for pockets and length. I like longer coats as they keep my thighs warm.</p>
<p>You can also get leggings if you want. If your D is wearing tights, leggings slipped over her tights will keep her comfy. Or baggy warm sweatpants.</p>
<p>Shoes: If you buy boots, you will need snow boots, not rain boots. Rain boots are only good for rain and have no lining. Last year in NYC it was absolutely freezing for auditions (Iived in Wisconsin and Michigan for many years, so I know cold!).</p>
<p>Boots are not 100% necessary if you are on a budget. You can walk in what you own and wear an extra pair of socks. My son was stubborn and wore black dress shoes for his walk to auditions in NYC and his feet were icy cold (I mean, he was walking on snow and jumping over ice puddles). </p>
<p>If they get boots, they can get whatever practical snow boots they like; these need to be waterproof and have lining; Lands End, LL Bean, etc. However, if you don’t know if you’re going to spend 4 years in a northern climate, I’d hate for you to spend $150 on boots. If you can buy on sale or from a good thrift store that would be great. </p>
<p>You would carry your audition clothes -with a change in outfit - in a bag, and simply remove winter gear when you get inside. </p>
<p>Thank you guys, this is such great advice. I lived in NYC about a billion years ago and made do with a men’s overcoat that I bought at a thrift shop and sneakers. I was young and a lot more resilient back then. I am thinking there is a high likelihood that she will land in the Midwest or Northeast, so we will probably take the plunge. I think there is a Patagonia outlet not too far from us near Truckee – I might be able to find something there. You guys all rock! Excited to get this show on the road!</p>
<p>And, my D swears by her boots. Walking to class in the rain and snow. School sent an email to students one day last January saying " yes we know wind chill is -4 today so be sure to bundle up when you’re walking to class."</p>
<p>Hi Divamamacita! As a hardy New Englander I concur with the opinions on previous posts. I too have a child at cold Williams College and noticed what the girls were wearing. Admittedly this is a preppy place, but LLBean Duck boots were everywhere. When I bought Emma a pair, she was so thrilled, and now wears them everywhere and always! Their customer service is legendary. Also Hunter boots for rainy fall and spring days. They come with linings that can make them quite warm, and a lot of colors. For coats, North Face is ubiquitous in the Northeast, with Patagonia being also very popular but both are pricey. And for a splurge, if she is in the market for real leather boots, Frye is considered very good. </p>