First Winter in Chicago

Question

I am originally from Texas where our winters are anywhere from 0 to 50 degrees with a few days of ice.

I have been living in Chicago for about three months, enjoying the beautiful summer, but I know what is coming! An actual snowy, cold winter!

I want to ask any suggestions on brands of clothing or clothing that I must have?

I have a parka but that is about it.

I could really use some recommendations about good outdoor boots to wear while walking in the snow, etc. I am about staying warm as possible, not about fashion :)

Thanks for your advice!

Jen

Answer 1

I work downtown and have a mile and a half walk to work everyday. This past winter was rough, minues 5 or 10 for a few weeks in a row. Basically just need a jacket, gloves, scarf and a lot of heavy sweaters. Hope you enjoy the winter

Answer 2

Go to Land's End at Sears and get the Squall Boots. They're about $40 and they keep your feet dry and toasty warm and  they're not super clunky or bulky. If your parka covers your butt, then you're okay. If it doesn't - invest in a longer one. Make sure you have a scarf for your neck because keeping the draft off your neck makes a big difference. Goes without saying to have a hat and gloves. If your parka has a hood - yay!

Go to Old Navy and get a few fleece pullovers and some thermal shirts. What I couldn't survive the winter without is my fleece zip-up vest. It's that one layer that wards off the chill.

One thing no one ever does is add a layer under their pants. Something as simply as thick tights, or thermal underwear or plain old leggings stop you from getting that inner chill that make your teeth chatter. Just think layers.

Good luck.

Answer 3

Wear the warmer clothes you have

Answer 4

you will need lined boots, sweaters, warm knit scarf, hat or ear muffs, lined gloves.  The parka is ok if it is lined. The idea is to layer your clothes and some people wear long underwear or an undershirt and a slip under a dress with a sweater over it.

wear tights or slacks when ever it is below zero.

Answer 5

Forget about dressing "cute": no cute gloves, cute little hats, cute boots. It can get COLD here, and the snow can reach your ankles. Don't be afraid to go Alaska: big, waterproof boots, big mittens, a hat that covers your ears, even long underwear underneat your pants. I've seen so many women waitiing on the bus in the morning wearing a dress, stockings and high heeled shoes, no hat and some thin leather gloves in 15 below weather and they looked MISERABLE. You can save the cute stuff for when you get to the office (change in the ladies room) but when it comes to going outside and waiting for the bus or the train, dressing warm comes first. You're going to need a lot more than a parka

But don't get too scared. All winters are different and not every single day of the winter is miserable cold. Some days are actually quite nice. I've take a walk along the lakefront path when there's a little snow on the ground but the sun is out and it's about 30-40 degrees. It's pretty nice.

Answer 6

I find that if I keep my head and hands covered I stay warm.Boots are never really an issue.I guess any will do.  

Answer 7

I don't work and a lot of my going out in the cold weather is in and out of the car on errands. In January/February it can get bitter cold. I wear thin thermal leggings under my jeans. I have gotten the kids flannel/fleece lined jeans. LLBean and LandsEnd makes them for adults. Both companies make some great cold weather clothes. LLBean is opening a store just west of Woodfield Mall.

Any pair of water proof ankle boots will do you for everyday. But for shoveling snow you may want a pair of high snow boots. Try Wal-Mart for a cheap pair. Buy your boots early, they go fast. If you are doing a lot of snow shoveling you may want to invest in some snow pants.

Gloves. Lots of gloves. I have a pair that will keep my hands warm, but that I can drive in. A pair to pump gas ( I hate the smell of it on my gloves)  And a pair of snow gloves.

Wool socks. Try again LLBean or any sports store. I have found them for women at TJMax. I buy nice dress wool socks to wear everyday in the winter. If you buy wool thermal socks for the snow be sure to have them on when you buy your snow boots.

A hat and a coat with a hood. Not only is it cold but it gets very windy here. Very, very windy. A scarf long enough to wrap around your mouth is a good idea too.

Answer 8

You need earmuffs and a hat.  Most of your body heat escapes your body through your head.  I would also recommend wearing thermal underwear(tops and bottoms), or the type of undershirts/pants that skiers wear.  You can get them at any sports store for about $25 a piece.  The key to surviving a Chicago winter is layer, layer, layer.

Answer 9

Most of us city girls are about staying warm and being fashionable at the same time!  It's not as hard as you might think.  Our winters are too long to to give up all things fashionable.

First thing you need to get is a good down coat.  The longer ones that come to about your knee or lower are a great choice because they block out a lot of the wind.  Just be sure that you select one that's more fitted.  My first down jacket looked like I was walking around in a comforter because it had no shape.  Not a cute look.  The brand isn't really important, just make sure it's good quality and doesn't make you look bulky.

When it gets really cold, it's time to bust out the thermal underwear.  Patagonia has some good ones that aren't too thick and work well under your everyday clothes.  I'm sure you can find some at major department stores too.

I have Ugg boos for the winter.  They're okay but believe it or not, they're not waterproof.  Nordstrom's usually has a lot of fashionable and warm winter boots.