STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

daiz519 · Dooney & Bourke

Advice please

daiz519 · Dooney & Bourke

there is also this option, from Alloy. It is Steve Madden--nylon/down. $79

zeitgeist4 · Gucci

I'm also a Cali girl, never having experienced a real winter before. Four years ago I went to NY in December. It didn't snow or rain when I was there, so I can't give advice on adverse weather wear.

I'm kind of a warm-body, so all I wore was a long sleeved tee and a chunky cardigan during the day, and then I had a heavy coat for night. I bought long underwear, but never wore the top. I DID use the bottoms, which I would suggest for wearing under jeans. It gives an extra layer of warmth.

What I did use was a hat, warm gloves, and a scarf that I wrapped all around my neck up to cover my nose (and it was still freezing).

The hat I wore was similar to this:

The gloves I used were similar to these:

The long underwear was similar to this:

None of those are high-fashion, but they sure got the job done!

As for the coats you chose, I would say go for the shorter one (less bulky).

I hope that gave you some perspective from a fellow weather-clueless Cali girl.

After viewing other responses, I want to add. Lots of my time was spent outdoors going from place to place, doing touristy things. That's why I would suggest the long underwear. As others said, layering is probably better then wearing a heavy coat, because sometimes it can be sweltering inside.

-- Edited by zeitgeist4 at 14:53, 2005-11-07

poptart · Coach

Well, I am not an NY girl, but I think their weather is very damp, so I think the waterproof coats you've chosen are good choices. And I like the second one - very cute!

I would definitely take a hat and gloves - also waterproof. Fleece is nice and cozy, but sucks when it gets wet. Wool is somewhat water-deflective, as long as your not walking for tons and tons of blocks. If you are, I would get a water-repellent hat/glove set from somewhere like REI. Although, now I think about it, you could pull your hood over your hat for moisture protection. Some ideas:

lined in fleece so it won't itch

wool, w/extra moisture protection

Comes in lots of colors

Maddie · Coach

I'm not from NY, but I lived through last winter in Maine. Basically, my opinion on this is that you're not going mountain climbing. It gets cold, but you don't need any hardcore outdoors gear. I personally never wear hats cause I have really thick hair, so my head stays pretty warm and I have curly hair so hat hair is super bad. If I were to wear a hat it would be an outfit hat like this...

I do wear headbands a lot though to keep my ears warm. If you're looking for a warm hat, I think this would be great...

For gloves I'd go with something like this...

I also think scarves are key for staying warm...

Possibly long underwear bottoms, I wouldn't think you would need a long underwear top. Just wear sweaters and stuff. The coats I think would be warm enough, and I think a wool coat would be fine. For your purposes, you don't need down unless you want it. Pretty much just layer and you'll be fine.

One thing is that my ankles always get really cold so I usually either wear leg warmers (under pants) or boots.

-- Edited by Maddie at 13:50, 2005-11-07

Seashells · Dooney & Bourke

I am from NY (well the 'burbs). The coat you picked out should be fine. However, I highly recommend layering with a sweater and so on underneath. Weather is kind of funny up here.
Definately a hat, scarf and gloves.
Unless you are going to be walking outside for long periods of time, you don't need long underwear.

Christine · Coach

I'm from NY and VT, so I know my cold weather

Both of the coats you posted are cute and should keep you warm enough. I agree with the other girls about a scarf -- I think it's the most important thing to wear with the coat. When the wind sneaks into your coat via your neck, it's the worst feeling ever. The scarf, oh - and gloves - combined with the hood, will keep you comfortable!

daiz519 · Dooney & Bourke

Thank you so much for all of your responses--they were very helpful!! I decided I will go with a shorter coat (#2) and will also buy myself gloves, scarves, and a hat. I'll also take a pair of long underwear in case I need it--I'll probably outside a lot.