<p>I just posted the following note in the Class of 2012 thread, but afterwards realized I should have posted it here for incoming U of C students. So, below is the same thing I just posted in the Class of 2012 thread, and others (especially current U of C students) can add their own ideas/opinions about winter clothes. (I'm not a U of C student, but have a relative there, and live not that far away.)</p>
<p>I'd say one medium jacket for the fall, a heavier parka (that will keep you warm down to about 20 degrees) for everyday wear in the winter, and one very heavy parka/coat for weather below zero (which is actually not that common--we had no below-zero days this past winter.) I recommend parkas/coats with hoods (unless you really like hats or don't care about "hat hair.") If you think your ears will get cold, you can wear a fleece headband, but for me, a hood is usually plenty.</p>
<p>I'd also bring several sets of mittens, ideally matching--I tend to lose mittens, maybe you won't. And, you'll appreciate having one set of heavy mittens if it gets really cold.</p>
<p>Personally, I do without scarves, because all my parkas/coats can be zipped up to the chin. If you want to wear a scarf, any scarf is fine. I recommend acrylic because it's washable. And, not the "extra skinny" scarves that seem to be "in" in CA--it should be at least 5-6 inches wide, and long enough to wrap around once. (You don't need a really long "Harry Potter" scarf unless you like that kind of thing.)</p>
<p>I do wear snow boots, but not extra heavy ones. The benefit of snow boots is that they are insulated, keep your feet warmer, are very water repellent, and most importantly, the tread is designed to keep you from slipping on the ice. Lands' End has some very good boots for only $49-$59. My relative picked a pair that looked more like hiking boots, but she was glad she had snow boots. I never asked her if she wore the snow boots inside, but I assume she did. Before the snow falls (usually in Nov.) I think most people just wear whatever shoes they would wear in the fall anywhere.</p>
<p>I also own a pair of "snow sneakers" (also from Lands' End, and inexpensive) that have the benefit of being insulated and waterproof, as well as the "snow tread," but they don't look like snow boots. But, if there is more than a inch or so of snow on the ground, the snow might get inside the sneaker.</p>
<p>Maybe bring one pair of extra-heavy socks--otherwise regular knee socks etc are fine. </p>
<p>Some people recommend long johns, but, you'll find the classrooms are pretty well heated. If you want, bring a pair in case you'll be outside sometime for a long period of time or if the weather goes below zero (rare). But, remember, most of the time you'll just be walking from your residence hall to class, so especially if you're in a residence hall on campus, you won't be outside for long.</p>
<p>As for layers to wear under your parka/coat, that varies a lot by how cold it is outside and how you adapt to cold.</p>
<p>But, I've found that if I'm going to be inside most of the time, I wear regular street clothes (not a lot of layers), then wear a heavier parka/coat. That way I can take the coat off once I get inside and I won't be too warm.</p>
<p>As for pants--regular jeans, cords, whatever. Lined jeans not necessary unless you are going to be outside for hours, but just bringing a pair of long johns would keep you just as warm.</p>
<p>You'll be surprised at how your body adapts to cold. I remember taking my relative out to dinner last Feb when it was about 25 degrees. We were both wearing jeans and parkas with light sweaters. But, no hats, no hoods, no mittens, and our parkas were unzipped. 25 degrees feels cold in Nov., but by Feb. it's just "business as usual." Caveat--That evening we were walking, and there wasn't much wind. If we had been standing still for long, or if it was windy, we would have at least zipped up the parkas and put on mittens.</p>
<p>Hope this helps. I've lived in Chicago for awhile, so I may have more "winter stuff" because it's accumulated over the years. Everyone is different. The thing to keep in mind is that Chicago weather is very changeable, so if you can, it's nice to be prepared for whatever hits. Even if it only gets bitter cold once or twice a year, you'll be wearing the same heavy coat for four years, so the initial investment makes sense. Again, I've found Lands' End to have a good selection of jackets/parkas/coats for VERY reasonable prices.</p>
<p>Last thought--In Chicago, when it's cold, nobody cares what they look like. They just want to stay warm. So, unless you're a dedicated "fashionista," forget style when it gets very cold.</p>
<p>Lots of people say they don't want to go to U of Chicago because of the weather. As I told my relative--Harvard, Yale, and Princeton also get snow, but that doesn't seem to keep people from applying there. Also, global warming HAS had an effect in Chicago. It is warmer now than it was 15-20 years ago. And, the U of C's location right on Lake Michigan means that the weather is slightly warmer, with somewhat less snow, than in the Chicago suburbs away from the lake.</p>
<p>Don't worry about the cold! Just enjoy the U of C!!</p>