Dressing for the weather in Providence, Rhode Island?

[Anonymous]

Our DD has sooooo much going on right now so we're trying to get the proverbial ducks in a row for next September after she was admitted ED. With Christmas coming up we want to surprise her with some neat winter gear. Google tells us that Providence gets some snow but we really aren't sure what kind of boots to get her? Something really kishy for her boots with fur that goes up to her knees? Something more practical like LL Bean boots? For outerwhere do we need something really warm like an AlpLoft jacket or are layers the way to go?

So excited but dreading all of the decisions ahead!

[Anonymous]

Happy and excited for your daughter but are you for real?? There are a lot of things to dread but this isn’t one of them.

[Anonymous]

I have a freshman at Brown so not through a full year to say, but we were told the biggest issue is wet versus cold. Need a good raincoat, waterproof boots with traction, and a warm winter coat, layers ideal.

[Anonymous]

Yikes op, no awareness.

[Anonymous]

You are really sweet. I'm originally from RI.

She's going to want to see what the other kids are wearing before committing to winter clothes.

I promise that no person on DCUM will know what the right brand and style will be for her. I'd give her an IOU for whatever boots she wants come next fall instead of picking a style she may not like a year from now.

My parents are still in RI - and my sister is in Boston - and they all tell me winters are warmer now than they used to be. (I live in Florida now.) She may not need the heaviest stuff. My mom wears her Moncler (sp?) a few times a year at most now.

[Anonymous]

As someone who grew up in NE we were always amazed at the people who pulled out parkas at the first sign of cold weather.

I mean really the range of weather in Providence isn’t that different from the range of weather we get in DC— it’s just that it stays cold longer.

[Anonymous]

DS a freshman in Boston and hasn't worn anything other than his sweatshirt hoodie and ON Roger sneakers. I'm curious too.

[Anonymous]

Dreading to decide which boots and jacket to get her. How did she get in ed, is this a joke?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You are really sweet. I'm originally from RI.

She's going to want to see what the other kids are wearing before committing to winter clothes.

I promise that no person on DCUM will know what the right brand and style will be for her. I'd give her an IOU for whatever boots she wants come next fall instead of picking a style she may not like a year from now.

My parents are still in RI - and my sister is in Boston - and they all tell me winters are warmer now than they used to be. (I live in Florida now.) She may not need the heaviest stuff. My mom wears her Moncler (sp?) a few times a year at most now.

^ And just to add: There is in person shopping in RI (Berk's on Thayer Street is still there - I used to shop there as a teenager) as well as obviously the internet. She doesn't have to stock up on everything now.

[Anonymous]

My Brunonian pulled out their winter coat for first time today, funny timing to see this.

[Anonymous]

Temperature-wise, it barely colder than DC in winter. Probably 4-5 degrees colder on average. But they get a lot more snow. Nor’easters and such. Probably 30-40 inches per year on average. Compared to 10-12 in DC. So things that keep her feet and hands dry will be important. Waterproof snow boots, a parka. Scarf.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Dreading to decide which boots and jacket to get her. How did she get in ed, is this a joke?

Excited parent and a bit cringey, but not the kid.

[Anonymous]

Congrats! I have a college Freshmen at Brown. He runs hot so hasn't even really worn his winter parka but less than a handful of times and only this week. He took his Sperry duck boots--but they have yet to be worn and I'm doubtful they will be .

Providence was very mild this entire Fall and dry--not much rain. When we went up mid-October the weather was identical to DC. They got a dusting of snow last week...one other day. It's now a little colder than DC, but not much.

He said his friends from the South and Cali are freezing---but it's not cold at all to him. Walks around in just a sweatshirt half the time and light jacket.

[Anonymous]

Posting from Maine ( so colder than RI.) you don’t need to go crazy. The biggest issue is cold wet weather not mounds of snow. So she’ll want some layers and boots that can get wet or wade through slush. Bean boots are great but agree with advice for her to wait-and-see what other people are wearing. And definitely don’t send her with an expensive winter jacket. These things go missing at parties all the time. My dd in college in CT and does fine with a down jacket she picked up 2nd hand somewhere and lightweight hiking boots (sneaker type.)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DS a freshman in Boston and hasn't worn anything other than his sweatshirt hoodie and ON Roger sneakers. I'm curious too.

yeah, I think you have until Thanksgiving or Christmas 2025 to make some of these decisions.