<p>I'm starting Cornell in the fall, and I'm gonna go shopping for wintery clothing soon...do any current Cornellians have suggestions about things to buy? I'm in Arts & Sciences, so I'm guessing that means I'll have to be doing a lot of walking. Someone already recommended buying spandex for arms and legs, I even know someone who wears a "monkey mask" that covers his entire face. What about Uggs? Are there a lot of snow/puddles that you have to walk through? Is a regular winter jacket enough or do most people get something thicker? </p>
<p>If anyone could list different items of clothing (for a girl) that are necessary to keep warm while walking on campus that would be awesome, thanks so much!!</p>
<p>another question... how long do you wear summer/fall clothing for? In November for example, will you already be wearing winter gear or should we also bring a sufficient amount of lighter clothing?</p>
<p>water proof snow boots are the most important thing probably. Gloves, hat, scarf, and winter coat should be sufficient. Maybe a northface fleece for when the seasons begin to change. I honestly think it's better to wait until you get here and see what it's like to do your shopping. Otherwise, you tend to buy a lot of unnecessary items.</p>
<p>Where are you from? I'm from outside New York city so I was sort of used to cold winters. Ithaca is probably 10-15 degrees colder than downstate NY and there is a lot of lake effect snow, but usually it doesn't accumulate to much. It's mid feb right now and I go out in a normal winter coat and gloves usually, and snow boots when there is snow on the ground. When it's a bit colder, I just wear a sweatshirt or fleece under my winter coat and a hat.</p>
<p>I usually don't break out the winter stuff until early to mid November, but the seasons change VERY fast. I honestly didn't bring my winter stuff up from home until Thanksgiving break this year, although it was cold for about 2 weeks prior to that. </p>
<p>Some advice to incoming freshmen: although the stores can get pretty crowded during orientiation, do most of your shopping when you get to Cornell and know exactly what you need. There are tons of things I bought before I got here that I never used.</p>
<p>pears: regular winter jacket is fine. most of the time when the temp goes down to the single digits, there isn't much wind so it doesn't feel as cold. temps between 15-40 degrees may or may not have strong winds so sometimes those temps feel colder than single digits. </p>
<p>helenrez: typically in Nov. the evening to night time temps will go down to 40 so fall wear is more appropriate. but just always be prepared for anything ... ithaca as you may hear can go 60, clear skies to thunderstorm one day and then the next day 32, snow/wind.</p>
<p>Nice looking rain boots. My daughter said it's often slushy at Cornell and it's not cold enough for winter boots yet. It rained a lot this past fall, so rain gears are also important.</p>
<p>I bought my daughter silk under garments (very warm, light, and not that expensive). </p>
<p>Pantagonia makes the best winter coats for Ithaca's weather - blowing snow and rain. Pantagonia's coats are lighter, water proof and air tight (sleeves, neck, etc). I would get a down coat, fleece jacket for warmer days, and a nice wool coat for going out (if you are planning to go to any semi formal parties). </p>
<p>Uggs are very cute (it's debatable), but not very practical. There are a lot of hills at Cornell, and roads are often slippery. I would get boots with traction. For girls, I would suggest buying some fashionable boots to wear instead of shoes for going out at night (great with jeans and dresses), forget about open toe shoes.</p>
<p>My daughter wears a lot of layered sweaters - cashmere is warmer and lighter, otherwise heavy wool. Don't forget heavy socks.</p>
<p>2nd what fd36 said. My d "lost" her black down jacket at a frat party. If you can get a 2nd cheap down jacket for frat parties, you'll save yourself some grief.<br>
I sent my kid an old jacket from HS which got her through the rest of freshman year.</p>
<p>soph year- we picked up a 2nd jacket on sale.</p>
<p>Thanks for the quick replies! I'm from central New Jersey, currently we're experiencing like 50 degree weather so I don't think it's a great comparison to Ithaca.
Cornell2008 talked about the store on campus-is it expensive? Also won't things run out quickly because everyone on campus is buying things?</p>
<p>bring some kind of long underwear or leggings. I get cold easily while walking to class but wearing leggings under my jeans helps keep me much warmer...</p>
<p>I hate Uggs. I think they're really unattractive and useless for the wet/slushy weather here unless you get them waterproofed. There seem to be two types of girls at Cornell: those who adore Uggs and those who despise them. So, unfortunately for me, lots of Cornell girls do wear Uggs because they're warm and comfortable. It's really gross though because you'll see a lot of girls with half-drenched boots as they walk through the snow and slush. If you do get Uggs, at least get them waterproofed. And please, please, please don't get the classic short boots. Totally unflattering. There are other kinds of Uggs that at least look decent. Better yet, get waterproof leather boots. Equestrian-style boots are all the rage right now, and they're much better looking than Uggs. They can be more expensive, but if you find a good pair, they'll be comfortable and look great. A lot of girls (including me!) wear leather boots, which makes me very happy. ;) No matter what you decide to do, just get a good pair of waterproof boots--very good for the winter.</p>
<p>Anyway, like everyone else said, get a down jacket, but I'd also recommend getting a longer coat for really cold, windy days. The weather can get pretty brutal, and it never hurts to get any kind of extra warmth.</p>
<p>I'm a big fan of scarves too, and it never hurts to have a few.</p>
<p>And helenrez, definitely bring lighter clothing. The beginning of the fall semester and the end of the spring semester can get pretty hot. The weather in Ithaca can get pretty crazy, especially during the fall and spring, so you may wear long sleeves one week, but then wear shorts the next week.</p>
<p>i have a really heavy northface coat that i barely ever wear, and i never wear leggings or thermal shirts underneath my clothing. Although the stores do get pretty crowded during orientation, there's enough stuff at walmart and target to go around. All i'm saying is don't go crazy buying 8 pairs of gloves, and wool socks and stuff like that right now. I think the most important things to get are snow boots (maybe rain boots too) and an umbrella. </p>
<p>akaCondi: Before freshmen year, I bought a whole bunch of storage cases, too many towels, an ironing board etc. that i never really used and that were a hassle to move around with me every year. I think it is better to wait and find out what you really need. A trip to target is really easy and they have everything you could want for your dorm room.</p>
<p>^^agreed...definitely wait until you get here. I brought a whole bunch of stuff with me...only to find out my dorm room was too small to hold it all + my roommate :-)</p>
<p>Everybody has it covered, but ladies, I love these boots: The</a> North Face Bella Alta (Moonlight Ivory/Classic Khaki) - Hiking Casual Boots. As sturdy, functional, and totally warm boots go, they actually look pretty decent under a pair of jeans. Zappos also has free shipping! I ordered them during Thanksgiving break and had them just in time for the first big snow. I also recommend Smartwool socks; I'm half-certain they are the only reason I still have toes :)</p>
<p>I would also recommend buying coats and the like in the coming months since you can take advantage of off-season sales. You can buy them and keep them at home until fall break or even Thanksgiving. Same goes for the accessories, though I know I bought my fair share of gloves at Pyramid Mall!</p>
<p>agreed. no need to go crazy and buy an oversized ultra warm poofy knee length coat. I just use my normal fall/winter coat and layer with a fleece and a long sleeve shirt when it gets cold. A hood is usually enough to battle the wind. I actually don't really do my winter shopping until winter break. The second half of november can get pretty cold at night, and the first few weeks of december i usually spend indoors...studying...for finals...all day..lol.</p>
<p>^ HAHAH. I already bought a down, knee-length frost-free jacket from Gap for next year. HAHAH. But I'm from california and I have no problem wearing that in OUR winter weahter..so...there you go. HAHAH =] thanks for all the info guys!</p>
<p>cornellpride10- could you show us a picture of what you mean by cute leather, waterproof boots? the only type of leather boots I can think of all have a nice stiletto heel -___- yea. watch me lose all my toes next winter.</p>