I’m from Florida and I’ll be moving to Connecticut for school this fall. I have no idea what kind of winter apparel to get. I want a breathable jacket that I can layer. I was looking at coats from Patagonia mostly. What kinds of coats/jackets/parkas do students wear in the Northeast? Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!
My daughter grew up in a warm climate but went to school in Massachusetts last year. She got a warm parka that she mostly wore only when it was bitterly cold and the rest of the time she wore a breathable wind resistant hooded shell from Eddie Bauer over a matching polar fleece jacket that her aunt sent to her from Lands End. She also has several warm sweaters that she can layer.
Having some flexibility is good, you can adjust with the temps.
Down jacket. As long and as puffy as you can possibly afford. Amazon has some good ones-look for the shipping weight-you want a LOT of down. There is nothing better at keeping you warm (I’m always cold!)
I own this one:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00YT4QBD8/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1
and it’s amazing.
Have your nice warm coat to keep you toasty in the cold winter storms.
BUT have a janky party coat that gets thrown in the pile at parties or hung up on a coat rack at a restaurant.
Just ugly enough to give a potential thief PAUSE to steal a better coat.
Remember the post of a college dude who was upset that his expensive North Face coat was ripped off at a party when he took it off and threw it on the pile in a bedroom?
200 dollars gone.
Same thing for expensive boots, if you take them off and leave them by a door, you are risking walking home in your socks and plastic bags.
Don’t be a victim of crime: bring a janky coat and boots/shoes to wear to house parties.
A down parka will be the most versatile cold-weather option because it would be warm but also breathable. I quite literally have coats for all temperatures though: a down parka, a wool peacoat for looking fancy when it’s cold, a heavy raincoat, a light jacket, and paper thin windbreaker for those warm spring days with a relentless breeze.
@wes2020 Columbia mens bugaboo jackets are awesome, its what I have, I attend in boston, its lightweight and super warm, comes with a vest which you can take out of its just raining or something, or if its super cold you can put it on, its also a wind breaker. Personally I hate the bulk jackets when Im walking from class to class as I usually have a backpack so I searched and found this and love it, id recommend, also do recommend to have an ugly backup for when you have to drop or hang the jacket somewhere, once ur inside or yes at a party first thing you wanna do is take it off cause its super warm.Great for going out during the winter because its casual and a sporty, just my thoughts.
North Face Denali jacket all the way.
And I 100% agree with @beerme: don’t wear an expensive jacket to a party, because it will definitely be stolen. I learned this the hard way last semester when I put my old North Face down at a frat on the night of the blizzard. Invest in a fracket, which is just a cheap jacket or hoodie you wear to parties that you wouldn’t mind losing.
Don’t try to buy in Florida. DD came from CA to Boston in 2011. We have a fabulous time shopping on Parent’s Weekend in October - the selection in Boston was infinitely better and better priced than anything we could have settled for in CA. She never, ever, complained about the cold weather - I think she liked her beautiful forest green jacket, her cute boots, and her fun scarves too much.
I also vote to wait before buying the very warm winter coat. We sent D with too much: she had a puffy, long down coat for very cold weather, a lighter weight shorter down coat and a wool pea coat along with some layering vests and fleece. Some of these were already in her wardrobe but we specially bought the warm coat. As it turned out, she did not need the heavy coat last year and never wore it. That’s not to say she won’t need it next year if the snow and cold decides to revisit the northeast but it’s a purchase that definitely could have waited.
Hate to make this a brand thing but Columbia and North Face are great. I’m from Utah and weather is super bipolar during winter and spring. What I usually wear it a windbreaker and underneath it a basic hoodie or a long sleeve shirt. Would always wish Utah could get as much snow as what the Northeast has been getting. Cheers, you’ll love the snow and cold! 
Just don’t buy one of those long Canada Goose coats lol… it doesn’t get nearly that cold anywhere in the US to need that, nor are you going to be subjected to long periods of exposure.
A short down coat is probably enough. Hoods with any kind of lining are super nice. Agree with the peacoat suggestions if you want to look nice for something.
ALSO would highly recommend getting waterproof shoes/boots of some kind for the days where you need to slog through the weather. Living in the northern Midwest I’ve always had a pair of waterproof boots and a pair of regular boots for fashion (think along the lines of Ugg-esque, combat, or leather boots). Some people wear hiking boots instead as well. Bottom line is get some foot wear that will keep you dry and warm.
A parka style covers your butt and it’s going to be more practical than a jacket. Connecticut isn’t as cold as many college towns, but I think being from Florida, you will find it plenty cold and will probably decide you want a long (below knee) coat. However, those long coats are overkill for most days and they are bulky and pricey. I recommend you get a parka and see whether you think it’s sufficient. You could shop locally when you get to college, and if you don’t like what you see, LLBean, Land’s End, and Eddie Bauer all have good winter coats you could mail order.
You should also get a few pairs of long underwear bottoms for the super cold days, and that may help your parka to be sufficient. Target carried cuddle duds brand fleece long underwear last winter at reasonable prices.
You definitely need good snow boots. A pair of waterproof hiking boots could work for this if you already have those. It should go over your ankle at least though. Some warm socks are also a good idea. Don’t forget a hat and gloves.
Regarding jackets, just wanted to add, I bought Columbia jackets for both my kids in hs. One had a down jacket and went off to college with it, refusing to listen to my concerns that it was insufficient and shop for a better one. By the time Xmas rolled around she had been complaining of cold for a while (though it’s a little colder where she is than CT) and was happy to go have me buy her a below knee coat at Eddie Bauer, later said it was a life saver. Other kid has a non-down Columbia jacket which she never even wears, even in our more mild climate. She says it isn’t really any warmer than a fleece.
Wait to see what your classmates are wearing before you buy a winter jacket; what is practical is often not the same as what is fashionable:)
Also, Patagonia has down sweaters (which are lighter weight down coats) and down coats. They look like coats. If you’re buying down for warmth, know that the lighter ones (with the thinner baffles – the sweaters) will not keep you particularly warm beyond the late fall in most places. I have always lived where it gets cold and have made this mistake (by kowtowing to style.) You’ll have time to follow @WildLupine 's advice which is good – no need to buy now – but I’d say that windproof, waterproof, and warm are key – especially if you’re on a campus where the wind sweeps through.
warm socks, thin 1st layer to wear under jeans/khakis, good comfy waterproof footwear, Burton down jacket, and I’d highly suggest a down vest. You can wear the vest over something like a bonded fleece hoodie. Bonded fleece hoodies are awesome. Pretty windproof, warm inside, rain beads up on top layer. Great New England piece. Buy some flannel shirts.
I’d say now is the time to buy because winter gear is on huge clearance at the moment.
Can’t tell if you are a boy or girl, but if a girl, my daughter found tights under her jeans to be comfortable and helped greatly with warmth.
I would not look for one coat to rule them all…but two coats. A mid-weight coat until it gets passed the 40’s and then a parka for true winter.
Also some warm waterproof winter boots.
Personally, I can’t stand long coats, stuff with fur around the hood, ect
I own this exact jacket (except I got it for $20 at Costco): https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00XMLH642/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1469055339&sr=8-3&pi=SY200_QL40&keywords=calvin+klein+packable+jacket&dpPl=1&dpID=419n05w1%2B-L&ref=plSrch
I wear a liner like this under it, except it’s more skin tight: https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B010PPF6TY/ref=mp_s_a_1_12?ie=UTF8&qid=1469055492&sr=8-12&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=running+windbreaker
Keeps me pretty warm and it can get cold here.
First, warm socks are a must-have. My feet are freezing pretty much all the time in the winter, and I wore wool socks 24/7. They are amazing. A pair of boots with tread - they don’t have to be fancy, but they do need to be waterproof. You are not going to enjoy wet feet all the time. As others have said, it’s a good idea to layer. Fleece jackets are great, and a waterproof outer shell will be useful during the rainy part of the spring. I recommend:
- a couple fleece jackets, fairly light
- windbreaker/waterproof shell
- mid-weight lined coat
- parka
- lined hat
- gloves (lined and waterproof, none of those flimsy ones - maybe a good idea to get multiples, depending on how prone you are to losing things)
- warm socks, several pairs (especially since you will probably lose socks in the wash)
- waterproof, treaded boots
- a scarf, of the type you can bury you cold nose in
Don’t wear jeans in the winter unless you’re wearing tights or leggings underneath them. Denim gets wet and takes forever to dry out, especially around the cuffs. And this is subjective, but I’m a huge fan of turtlenecks. Additionally, you can get sunburned by sun reflecting off the snow. It doesn’t happen much unless you’re spending a lot of time outside, but if you’re trying a winter sport or just enjoy playing in the snow, use sunscreen.
Some brands sell coats that have a removable lining, so they can serve as both 2&3 - I have one of those and I love it.
I think Eddie Bauer is a good place to start. I have coats and jackets from them that lasted for ~6-7 years.