How much should I be looking to spend on a winter wardrobe?
I’m moving from the warm to the cold (Chicago) for the first time so I need to build out my wardrobe. I have a nice winter coat, and plan on getting a pair of boots as well. Besides those two items, my current estimating has me paying around $400-$550 on everything else:
* long sleeve tees
* warm tights
* sweaters
* zip ups
* warm pants
* gloves
* beanie
* scarf
* warm socks
Am I budgeting too much? Too little? I plan on ordering everything this weekend.
34 Replies
I you already have a jacket, next priorities, IMO, are warm socks, warm undershirts, and long underwear
Long underwear is like tights made for being warm, right?
this is what’s currently in my Uniqlo cart
can prob find these items for cheaper elsewhere, just using Uniqlo as a base to find what I should get.
That will definitely keep you warm. Maybe overkill. Missing socks though, which are the most important
Might be overkill
Main thing is layers and ability to take off / put on when needed
Big coat -> medium mid layer -> t-shirt, etc
Or add an overshirtt in between big coat and midlayer
IMO you can prob cheap out on tights or forgo them if you want to
That's just from experience living in Scotland briefly and hiking
what’s overkill about it? anything that can save me money i’m more than happy to do haha
Might get too warm. Layering legwear is more annoying if you over heat as you can't take off easily unless you take footwear off
Unlike coats / midlayers
hmm true
Plus it's easier keeping your body warm
one thing i’m worried about is like it is chicago and im moving there in january
Your chest / torso
so i’m worried about as a florida guy that i’m not gonna have enough for that kinda cold
I've never needed anything warmer than long johns under jeans. Also, you don't necessarily need hat and scarf if you have a proper winter jacket with an insulated hood
And ultra warm is overkill except for fashion (i.e. your warmest jacket isn't cute enough, so you wear a lighter jacket and add more layers)
this is the coat that i have
That coat will be fine for warmth.
Most days I would be fine in that with jeans, thick socks, short sleeve heattech, and any shirt.
so an outfit would be (outside in, top to bottom):
* beanie (maybe)
* coat
* scarf (maybe)
* sweater/hoodie/lighter coat
* long sleeve
* jeans
* long underwear (maybe)
Add long underwear when it gets into the low 20s
and warm socks, ofc
But you will have to figure out your own warmth requirements
got it
thanks, this has been helpful
Yw
I moved to Chicago from LA 5 years ago. It's a great city.
yeah i’ve heard nothing but good things
tfw I wear long underwear when it dips below 50
Could not move back to the north
I think you have the right idea but I’d definitely buy a pair of heattech leggings/tights - worst case it’s only $25, best case you have them when you need them
IMO, you don't need leggings unless you're planning to spend a lot of time outdoors while it's very cold. If you're commuting to your office or something, it's total overkill. If you're going on a long walk or hiking or something, get them. Wool flannel trousers, heavy cord pants and denim, etc + a good jacket will have you covered.
I also recommend heattech short-sleeve undershirts, which are great. You can wear them under a button-down or sweater for extra warmth and allow an outfit to look "normal" without having to worry about it showing if you roll up your sleeves.
You are totally right. You won't necessarily wear them often, but when you need them, you NEED them.
I live north of chicago and have never owned long underwear. Good socks+boots, a few thermal long sleeve shirts will do you just fine. Embrace the cold is my best advice, don’t fight it
maybe its just me but ive never been a fan of the seams on the heat tech tights and shirts. underarmor is much more comfortable for tights and i'd say a thermal or a merino wool long sleeve is a better choice
Have you lived in FL your whole life?
Merino wool is amazing, but it will cost much more than heattech
I'm a north-people and I never bothered with long underwear until it got down to like 20 below, but it's up to you. Good jacket, good socks, those are key. I consider good gloves somewhat of a priority these days. Your commute and outdoors preferences do make a difference. The more time you spend outdoors, the warmer dressed you need to be, and vice versa. Modern HVAC makes a lot of things way more comfortable; cars heat up real fast now compared to before; subways and subway stations and buses aren't ice cold but may be chilly.
But if you're used to FL weather, like 85F winters, you might want to go a lot warmer dressed than a north-person might.
The other thing I'd want to know is if you need to dress in any way formally (or informally) for your job, because that can narrow down choices. You probably wouldn't want to show up to your finance-trading office in two ratty hoodies layered on top of each other, no matter how comfortable it is, and vice versa, if you show up to work a construction site in a brand new cashmere ulster coat, you might get some jeers (and even if not, it'll get dirty and beat up).
Hey I'm a fellow Floridian turned Chicagoan. I think you're largely over preparing here which is natural but unnecessary.
Biggest factors to keep in mind are your lifestyle: Will you be commuting by car and only spend short periods outside? Will you be taking the bus and may have to walk 10 minutes then wait at a cold stop for 10-15 minutes more (most stations have heated waiting areas but some bus stops are too small)? Will you be working remote and thus can bunker at home on the rare day that it gets really cold? Personally I'm a hybrid employee who mostly commutes by bike, which is honestly the second warmest option after driving due to how much heat my body generates while riding.
Definitely get a base layer for your upper body. A lower body one is good too if you need to walk around in the cold for long periods, but get a light/medium weight unless you want your legs to feel overheated all day at work. Then get a backup of each since they tend to get smelly. Have some kind of midlayer such as a warm fleece or puffer, then a jacket to break the wind/rain. Some heavier weight pants will be nice (jeans, chinos, wool trousers, etc depending on your needed formality). Warm socks are a necessity. I've never tried these uniqlo ones but they're probably good. Otherwise Darn Tough makes some solid winter-weight merino socks. Waterproof/snowproof boots are a good investment but you can make do without as long as you're careful. Something to keep your ears and neck warm is important, but that can just be your jacket collar and hoodie if you're on a budget. Go-to basics like these will make sure you survive and then in future years you'll be able to experiment more with your style when you better know what you'll need.
Chicago winters honestly aren't the worst (except for the wind chill near the Lake). Also uniqlo has a nice store in the heart of the loop that you can easily swing by after work if you decide to need something more. There's no need to buy everything you think you might need now vs waiting to see if you need it once you get here.