Moving to Chicago from South Alabama..yep! (Rockford: to buy, allergy)

[halnchad1]

Hey there!

My husband and I are moving from a little town in Alabama to Chicago. I know, I know...major culture shock. However, I have lived in Rockford and other big cities here in the south, so I will probably adjust a bit faster than he. Anyway, my question is this: What clothing items are most essential for Chicago winters? We are used to very mild winters. (i.e. last Christmas it was 75 degrees)....so we need some advice on things we really need to purchase. Any other advice for relocating would be greatly appreciated as well.

Thanks!!

-Haley

[Lookout Kid]

Just throw out your Alabama wardrobe and buy a bunch of black clothing.

I'm kidding! Sort of.

If I were you, I'd buy a more stylish winter jacket that is warm enough into the 20s or so (that will get you through most of the winter), and then buy a more sporty-looking serious winter coat for the really cold stuff and heavy snow. You'll also need some waterproof boots for snow, some gloves, a scarf, and a hat. That should do it. Other than that, just wear layers.

[halnchad1]

Haha. I definitely plan to throw out the "Alabama wardrobe"....

Thanks for your help.

[Lookout Kid]

Some people also like long underwear under pants on really cold days, but I find that more uncomfortable than the cold weather itself. I'd only wear long underwear if I planned to be outside for a long period of time (like a football game or something).

[aragx6]

Well there's not cheap, but I love cashmere/silk blend long underwear. They keep you warm but aren't itchy like wool ones and they breathe well during the day.

But yes I agree: Get a fashionable wool knee-length trench for the cold days and a long puffy coat for the days it's too cold to be fashionable.

I'm all for cashmere scarves too - expensive yes, but much less itchy around your neck than wool.

Can you tell I hate wool LOL?

[Attrill]

Layers, layers, and more layers. There are days where it will be 20 degrees and snowing when you leave the house, and then 40 degrees and raining on the way home. A down parka that is great for going into work can end up being useless on the way home. Layers let you adjust for the different conditions. That said - it is good to have a really heavy parka for the days it stays cold all day.

An important thing to remember is that cotton loses it's insulating value when it gets wet. Cotton sweatshirts will be fine on a dry day, but are absolutely useless when wet. Down is the same - useless when wet. Wool and synthetic (or synthetic blend) fabrics are the best way to go. A good selection of wool sweaters is essential, and for the heavier sweaters you buy, buy a size larger than you normally would so you can put it on over a lighter sweater.

Also, buy at least two pairs of any mittens and gloves you choose to buy. You are guaranteed to lose some over the course of the winter.

Don't worry about how fashionable you look when the weather gets bad, everyone just wears what the conditions dictate. I've never heard anyone talk about someone wearing mittens and a parka that clashed, but I regularly hear people talking about "the idiot freezing on the El platform" they saw that morning.

[Steve-o]

Layers? Not really a necessity unless you have to walk/be outside for extended periods of time.

All you need is a nice, thick ski coat, a stocking cap or hood, Thinsulate gloves. If youre planning on being outside for a long time, add some long underwear. If its going to snow, add some snow boots or higher boots that are waterproof, simple as that.

I get by in winter with a stocking hat, some leather gloves, a pea coat for normal winter days (30s/40s), and normal shoes. If its going to be snowing, I wear my hiking boots (Timberland) that are a little higher and a waterproof coat (normally my North Face ski jacket). If its going to be ultra cold for a few days, I bust out the Thinsulate gloves, my North Face jacket and thats about it. I dont even wear long underwear. If youre going to a Bears game and its going to be 10 degrees out, thats when you need to do layers.

[halnchad1]

Thanks to everyone so far who has posted a reply. You guys have certainly helped out a lot!

[halnchad1]

Truth is, I own alot of winter clothes...we just never get the chance to use them here. Im going to enjoy getting to wear my jackets and stuff!

[UnderTheLiveOaks]

As someone who has been here for a while and is originally from South Carolina, I can safely say that these items have been SO helpful:

-Wintersilks long underwear. They keep you warm outside, but breathe like a dream. I never feel the need to take them off when I'm inside.
-Any decent wicking socks. I like the synthetic ones, but I have a mild wool allergy, so I'm limited in my options.
-A 100% Cashmere scarf. This thing was expensive, but it was a gift and I have gotten every penny's worth out of it.
- Two good coats: A long wool one for, like those above me already said, days when you need to look decent. A serious ski-type coat for days when it doesn't matter.
- hat hat hat. Gloves gloves gloves.

Now, these are generally options that are warm, but also somewhat "presentable". On days when it doesn't matter, I'm in full-on outdoor performance gear. Anything that wicks, insulates, cushions, protects, vents, or generally warms is what I'll be wearing.