<p>I'm from Miami, Florida and I'm completely clueless about winter (and how to keep warm). And well, I heard Oberlin is an icebox during those winter months. I was wondering if anyone could help me by telling what are the necessities/clothing for snow/winter weather. A list would be nice :)</p>
<p>P.S. I never even seen snow!</p>
<p>Background: I grew up in a temperate climate and moved to the tropics while in high school. I tend to be cold even in situations that are tolerable, so I wear a few more layers than the average person. Example: today it is 25, feels like 15, and I’m wearing socks, long underwear, jeans, a tshirt, a long sleeved thermal shirt, and a sweater.</p>
<p>Required: coat (whatever you get, just make sure it’s lined), Snow boots, hat, gloves, scarf, socks (wool or not, I find that my well-insulated boots are fine with regular socks). Long sleeved shirts and layers are your friends.</p>
<p>Not required, but very useful (and for me, a lifesaver) for the colder/snowier days: long underwear, snow pants, sunglasses (snow glare is terrible), an additional pair of shoes (for when you decide to play in the snow late one night and not everything is dry by morning).</p>
<p>You can <em>usually</em> get away with not purchasing most of these things until fall break (except the coat, in my opinion), and you’ll start to figure out what is cold and COLD after about a year here.</p>
<p>FYI - the Oberlin website has a section where faculty and students blog about… lots of different subjects - including what to bring, how cold it gets, what to wear, etc etc etc. Some have photos. Some have lists.</p>
<p>unfortunately, they are scattered into different categories, not all in one tidy section.</p>
<p>here’s one of them: [Oberlin</a> Blogs | Blog Entry: “SnOberlin”](<a href=“http://blogs.oberlin.edu/misc/miscellaneous/snoberlin.shtml]Oberlin”>http://blogs.oberlin.edu/misc/miscellaneous/snoberlin.shtml)</p>
<p>I agree with the list above. I would want to mention though, that there are gradations of cold. I, for example, have hats and gloves for temperatures 35 and below, 35-45 degrees, and 45-55 degrees. I might just be very picky though - I get cold really easily so need the extra heavy duty warmth. That’s why I’m also a firm believer in long underwear (I actually just wear leggings under jeans), which can really make a difference!</p>
<p>Thank you! I’ll definitely buy all things you guys mentioned! I’ll probably look like Eskimo even in 60 degree weather but it’s Oberlin and my colleagues won’t really care (I hope).</p>
<p>You might want to wait until after you arrive in Oberlin to buy most of your winter gear. Often winter coats, gloves, etc sold in warm places like Florida look similar, but aren’t really as warm as stuff sold in places that actually have winter weather.</p>
<p>or, buy online… you can find some good sales at this time of year. But I agree with ElizabethHouston - stuff you find in warm places like Florida will not be sufficient.</p>
<p>^^
Yup, take Elizabeth’s advice. Don’t buy your winter gear in Florida or some other tropical climate. You won’t need it anyway when you get to campus in August.</p>
<p>Re: long underwear - you might consider investing in knit silk. Very lightweight and effective, without being bulky. You can usually buy at Lands End or Eddie Bauer.</p>
<p>Campmor is also a good source for online purchases and sales, and, of course, LL Bean. My girls have both used UnderArmour ColdGear items for outdoor sports and layering.</p>