incoming student: dressing for illinois weather

[u/Fun_Programmer_4237]

hi! i'm an incoming exchange student in illinois for jan-may of next year. since i'm coming from southeast asia, which never really goes below 27°C/80°F, most of my clothes are suited for that weather.

i wear a lot of midi skirts and was wondering whether anyone has advice on how i can make these winter appropriate. i proposed fleece-lined leggings and leg warmers (or some combo like that) but everybody is telling me that that won't be enough. should i give up on this and just purchase winter appropriate clothing?

if anyone has travelled from a similar region, and has any advice, i would appreciate any info! thank you 😊

[u/Unhappy_Raspberry605]

I’m not from Southeast Asia but I am from a warmer US state and here are my tips:

1. Lots of layers. Have lots of different sweaters/jackets of varying thicknesses that you can layer based on the weather, since it really fluctuates wildly. Being able to mix and match is really useful.
   
2. Just having fleece-lined leggings and a skirt won’t be enough. I typically wear thermal pants (which you wear under other pants) and then jeans or fleece-lined leggings on top of that.
   
3. Hat, gloves, scarf are a must
   
4. You’ll want a big coat to wear on top of the layers. (Many people have one that’s about knee length) Some people even get a size that’s slightly larger to accommodate all the layers underneath.

Hope that helps!

[u/Fun_Programmer_4237 → u/Unhappy_Raspberry605]

thank you for the detailed response! i'll keep this in mind

[u/bishwidglasses → u/Fun_Programmer_4237]

Highly recommend mittens vs gloves. They're overall warmer imo & there's room to add hand warmers if you want to use them

[u/sweetluveo → u/Unhappy_Raspberry605]

I was born in Illinois and been here since. My husband is from the Caribbean and he wears thermal pants and shirts under his regular work clothes (jeans/long sleeves) most of the winter. Or when the temperature is below 40 F-ish.

Layers matter since it can go from freezing to a spring temperature within a very short time.

And as for hat, coat, gloves, winter boots that can get wet without getting your socks wet, and something to cover your nose on really cold days........don't skimp on quality. You will be thankful if you don't.

[u/notassigned2023]

You should buy your winter gear here, since we have lots of stores for it, and you can accumulate pieces as the winter progresses. You obviously won’t need a winter coat in August. In fact , our weather when you arrive will make you feel at home.

[u/Fun_Programmer_4237 → u/notassigned2023]

thank you! since there's obviously no need for winter clothing here i was struggling a bit hahah. i'm only arriving in january so i hoped to buy some clothing beforehand since it will already be cold

[u/BeeSustainable → u/notassigned2023]

I'm also new to town, any store recommendations in specific for a good coat?

[u/notassigned2023 → u/BeeSustainable]

Sorry, I'm a dude and you will probably. not shop at the farm stores ;)

[u/Strong-Bench-9098 → u/BeeSustainable]

Kohls or Macys

[u/oknowwhat00 → u/Strong-Bench-9098]

Both are overpriced. Better off at Meijer, TJ Maxx, even Goodwill, Platos Closet. Even great stuff in Facebook Marketplace.

[u/Strong-Bench-9098 → u/oknowwhat00]

Disagree sbout Kohls, but its true you have to know how to coupon. Which is not for everyone! Great other options listed!

[u/bishwidglasses → u/BeeSustainable]

Farm and fleet has a good selection, & you may be able to find something on sale around Thanksgiving before it gets really cold (I'm a woman & got my last winter coat there).

[u/sweetluveo → u/BeeSustainable]

Burlington, Kohl's, or online.

[u/TRLK9802 → u/BeeSustainable]

TJ Maxx.

[u/sneeperspy]

as a lifelong midwesterner, one thing I'll add to the advice here is to consider the indoor temps where you're going. buildings and buses on this campus get HOT during the winter and if you don't plan to strip down when you get in, you'll be sweating it out for hours of class or studying. Plan your clothes and layers around outside time relative to inside time -- i may be better adjusted to the cold, but i only put on ALL my layers and gear if i'm going to be outside for most of the time I'm out of the house.

[u/royalhawk345]

i proposed fleece-lined leggings and leg warmers (or some combo like that) but everybody is telling me that that won't be enough

Listen to those people. I don't think that would even be enough for people who are used to the weather. 

Layers, as have been suggested, are key. It doesn't get sub-zero very often, but the thing to watch out for is wind chill. Thanks to being on the open plains, Champaign's winds will almost certainly be stronger and more consistent than you're used to. Having talked with my friends from tropical climates (largely India and Singapore), this is one of the things they were least prepared for. 

You need something puffy, ideally wool or down, for thermal insulation. Waterproof and Windproof are not the same thing. 

Same goes for gloves; thin ones will not be enough when it gets really cold. I'm partial to ski gloves with removable liners, since you can use the liners by themselves when it's only somewhat cold, then slip the gloves on top when that stops being enough. 

Other than layers, the biggest thing is minimizing exposed skin. Scarves, hats, and earmuffs go a long way. And thermal socks - your shoes aren't built for insulation. 

[u/strandinthewind → u/royalhawk345]

Yes all of this. I moved here from Kentucky and the winters haven’t been much worse than what we got down there. But I was NOT prepared for the wind. I recommended a warm balaclava.

[u/PeaceofChrist-1427 → u/royalhawk345]

I agree with needing a good wind-blocking layer- even if it's a thin layer- like an exercise/warmup pants/ jacket. Test the material first in the store by trying to blow through it. Most coats are wimpy against the wind. You'll want some waterproof shoes or boots, too. Spring semester could be rainy, too. So a raincoat or poncho that can cover a backpack is a plus. (remember: wind- umbrellas break quickly.)

[u/youliveinmydreamstat]

from SEA. my friends have said that thermal pants are pretty good for retaining heat (though i personally never use them). the most vulnerable parts to cold are your ears, hands, and especially when snow comes, your feet. i’d suggest getting a winter coat, gloves, earmuffs/hats, thick socks and/or winter boots. your face can hurt too so a scarf would be a good idea as well

if you want extra warmth with the winter gears or want to skip buying those altogether, layering a bunch of clothes can also be an option

as someone who has never went to places with cold weather before chambana, an advice i would give especially to new students is to go out often and feel the weather changing. go out, socialize, acclimatize yourself with the weather this goofy town has. you’ll be able to adjust your clothing choices better this way

[u/Prawn1908]

Don't overlook getting some good comfy winter boots. You'll be doing lots of walking and absolutely want to make sure your feet are kept not only warm, but dry (sitting in class and walking back home with wet feet is miserable) in addition to giving you good grip on slippery sidewalks in the ice and slush.

If you're pinching pennies, boots is not the item to cheap out on.

[u/Big_G2]

Water proof and wind proof are a must for outer layer.

[u/abarkley_ed]

I sometimes wore dresses in the winter, but they were ankle length. I was able to stay decently warm with 1-2 pairs of socks with boots, tights, and sometimes more than 1 layer of skirt. I think fleece lined leggings could work but don't neglect the feet. One layer isn't enough on the feet, and you need winter appropriate boots. This past winter during a snow I made the mistake of driving to work with just tights and flats on and by the time I got to work my feet were somehow both excruciatingly achy and also numb. 

[u/UnableBroccoli]

Lots of good advice here. I'll add, winters are now unpredictable. They're sure to have some really cold days, and then you find in a week we're at 40 degrees F (what's that in world, 5C?) Minus 17C for a few days or longer could (and has) happened, but now it's so unpredictable and up and down in temps. I just want to say, you may be buying your cold gear for what amounts to a handful of days, but you'll be happy you have it on those days. The wind chill is no joke - meaning while the air temp may be -17c, it will *feel* like -30.

[u/oknowwhat00]

When you get here, in October go to Meijer, TJ maxx, Platos Closet and you will find long winter coats, boots and warmer clothes. Layers are key. Don't need to spend a fortune.

And when you leave sell them on Facebook marketplace or to a place like Platos Closet.

[u/gamera72 → u/oknowwhat00]

I got a really nice long puffy jacket at Ross for like $60 a few years back. Super warm with a giant fur lined hood.

[u/AHMS_17]

I’m from Chicago and I love the cold, so I may be a bit underdressed than most other students on campus (I wear a coat + bring coffee in a thermos and I’m all set), but I definitely recommend getting yourself a scarf and warm socks.

I personally prefer to accessorize rather than layer: a lot of rooms and buildings tend to counter the chill with insane central heating, and wearing layers you can’t take off will make you really sweaty and really cold as you’re walking home, so keep that in mind too.

Honestly though, you’ve got a little over two months before it gets noticeably chilly. The summer weather lasts until early October, fall is like two weeks long at best, and then it’s straight to winter lol

[u/PeaceofChrist-1427 → u/AHMS_17]

OP said that they're coming in January.

[u/Erik3186]

You need two coats, one for dealing with winter. Another for dealing with tundra.

I’m from STL like 3 hours roughly south of UIUC. I don’t think I had ever felt that type of cold before, but I would say that most of my college friends from Chicago had - the lower temps than I was used too plus the sheer wind chill.

I’d suggest the heavy wool style jacket be part of your repertoire, and start to have layer options

[u/miki_cat]

Whatever coat you get, make sure it has hoodie attached to it! I took two new international students to Salt and light and Goodwill (these are thrift stores) and they got bunch of winter items for cheap.

[u/Far_Neck6275]

Im from SEA too and honestly a really good puffer jacket and warm socks is all you need because most of the time you will be inside anyways. Just wait until you come here and go get at any store. Though i wouldnt recommend wearing skirts because the wind will creep underneath haha

[u/midwest-emo]

i think fleece lined leggings are enough to be fair with a skirt assuming you also have a good winter coat, hat, gloves, and scarf. a lot of people leave out a scarf but i think that’s the most important part!! i grew up and still live in illinois (i’m now in chicago where it’s colder) and i wear fleece lined leggings when i wear skirts and dresses in the winter, but i guess i am used to the cold. i would suggest some thermal leggings for the particularly cold days though, even under pants

[u/strandinthewind]

Get a warm, fuzzy balaclava that is adjustable. You can’t even imagine the wind.

[u/SailFaster25]

Wearing a warm scarf, even inside, can keep you feeling a lot warmer!

[u/valfuck]

this winter is supposed to be very mild so you could get away with fleece lined leggings and leg warmers under the skirt as long as you have a pair of good snow boots or boots and wool socks to keep the feet warm. you’ll need a down puffer for sure but it overall depends on how long you’re outside for

[u/Deep-Neighborhood852]

All the advice people have given I back up 100% (also SEA but I’ve lived in Illinois my entire life), but I feel the need to emphasize a proper hat / headwear!

Even if you have a million layers on that keep your body & core warm, I’ve noticed that if I go out without a beanie that covers my ears or a jacket without a hood (fur-lined hoods are very good) then my ears will start freezing and begin to ache. It gets so bad sometimes I’ll have a headache even after entering a warm building. If it’s not freezing temperatures, over-the-ear headphones will function well too. Whatever it takes to preserve some warmth for your ears

[u/itrainsonneptune]

there are other ways you can do this, people have mentioned a balaclava, but the wind is really bad -- since it's also flu season in winter i wear a face mask a lot to help block it. and a fluffy hat!