Keeping the girls warm in cold urban city, help needed!!

[Tombone]

Hi,

This is my first post and I hope I've come to the right place for some advice. I'm going to be visiting my eldest daughter in Chicago this December and although I'm ok keeping myself warm I am concerned about my wife and youngest daughter who is 16. If they are cold, they will not be happy...... Can anyone advise which would be the best thermal base layers etc and most important some thin thermal socks? They have decent boots, but as we are in the city and will be out and about a lot want to avoid thick hiking style socks. I guess what I need to get them are warm layers which they can wear discreetly under their normal city clothing. Any advise would be greatly appreciated before I spend my hard earned cash. Cheers Tom

 

[789987]

merino wool

 

[santaman2000]

My best advise would be to wait and let your eldest take them shopping in Chicago. They'll get what they need for Chicago's climate and probably for the same number of dollars as it would cost in BPS at home. Also without paying VAT.

 

[Retired Member southey]

My best advise would be to wait and let your eldest take them shopping in Chicago. They'll get what they need for Chicago's climate and probably for the same number of dollars as it would cost in BPS at home. Also without paying VAT.

What he said! citys can be as unpredictable as the wilds, I here Chicago is in store for some belting winter weather this year, or call your eldest and ask her what she thinks would be best

Welcome to the forum!

 

[mrcharly]

I bet that houses and building are really well heated - so they will need a jacket that is really really warm, and can be easily taken off when you enter a building. Multiple layers are a real pain in this situation.

Thin wool vests etc - I know someone in York who sells them, T shirt style and vest style with pretty trimming. She was selling via ebay, but doesn't seem to have anything up atm. If you like, I can ask her what she has.

 

[comeonbabylightmyfire]

Hooded down jackets. It's the wind chill in Chicago, it cuts to the bone.

 

[rik_uk3]

Wear what the locals use, wait until you get there and buy.

 

[Shewie]

TKMax will start to get their ski gear in soon, you can pick up decent weight merino tops in there for around £10 a time.

 

[johnnytheboy]

My best advise would be to wait and let your eldest take them shopping in Chicago. They'll get what they need for Chicago's climate and probably for the same number of dollars as it would cost in BPS at home. Also without paying VAT.

I second this, I was in Chicago in Jan and it was baltic, LLBean etc were great places to go to get kitted out!!

 

[Monk]

Chicago in December can be horribly cold.
I have experienced NY city winter!

Ask your daughter who lives there.
Be aware if you and your family are doing the sightseeing trip and shopping-women like stores! All of you will be going in and out of trains/subways and stores-these places have heating.
Do not wear heavy sweaters and heavy thermals-you will roast and sweat.
Wear thin layers and a heavy jacket with a hood plus a watch cap and gloves and scarf. Most places in the states have central heating-if you are overdressed without the ability to vent it starts to be a pain in the you know where.

Also chapstick-winters in the U.S. can be brutal and crack your lips.
Do you have fleeces that have a full length zip? A fleece under a regular coat is a great item. Just open your coat and zip open the fleece when you go into a store or restaurant as versus trying to pull on/off a heavy wool sweater. Check your wardrobe to see what items you can combine.

Street slush-if there is snow and ice snow melt or salt will be thrown down to melt the snow resulting in slush which you do not want to be walking in wearing trainers.

This all depends on what the weather will be like there in December. If you have the ability to cover yourself with hooded jacket, scarf and gloves you will be doing fine. You can always pop into a store to warm up.

Short waist length jackets might not be good with Chicago windchill.
Let us know how the weather is for your trip.
Have a great time.

 

[santaman2000]

+1 for the chapstick. I was focused on clothes but should have thought of that as well.