Help me pack for cold cold Chicago next week

[luggageandbags]

I’m going to a conference in Chicago next week which I was initially excited about but increasingly realising that I may have drawn the short straw, all my US colleagues are eek it’s cold! It’ll be between -9 and 1 celsius and windy.

I’ve been there a few times before in late March, and it was cold but manageable for walking and sightseeing. My wardrobe, being UK based, is perfectly optimised for a spot of drizzle, with ocassional layering improvisations when it gets cold. A colleague suggested today I get myself a down underlayer but I know I wouldn’t wear it again so I’m hesitant to waste the money. So dear wise women Help me pack. I have a long 100% wool coat and lots of merino roll necks, a few alpaca or cashmere jumpers, wool socks and thick sole boots. I also need to look presentable at the conference once I survive the commute from my hotel. Considering layering tights under trousers but worrying I’ll be too hot when indoors. Any other tricks I’m missing? Do I really have to pad up? Have been looking at Pinterest for cold weather inspiration style and it just comes up with people with jumpers or blazers on top of a snowy mountain. Yeah right.

-9 and windy can make it cold as all hell. But wool layers are the way to go IMO. The wind goes right through a modern wool coat though IME. You need a real old fashioned thick one to keep the wind out otherwise modern parkas etc are better.

Thanks @Bani! I was about to bump for the morning crowd, glad to get a reply :) I know it's not a very inspiring - but essential question.

My coat is new but it's quite rigid dense wool (oh actually I realise that I bought it after you linked to it at the Parisiennes thread that I lurk at sometimes - so thanks for that, I adore it!. remember this -

Did I link to that? Well done me! Where is it from, I've already forgotten?

Oh, and I wanted to link to something that saves me in the winter but is very very very uncool - padded skirts. All the mammies have them here. Examples on this shop's page: www.outnorth.se/klader/kjolar-klanningar/tackkjolar?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI8Pm1wee85wIVSoGyCh3dzACbEAAYASAAEgJ69_D_BwE

They try to make them look cooler but I know they're not because my children will not borrow mine. SO much handier than layers under trousers, I just pull that on over my clothes.

That coat is no good for minus 9 and windy believe me. You need a proper winter coat - North Face etc.

You could wear sweaters galore but it won't be any good outdoors. Bear in mind inside is heated - so you'll boil if you wear a cashmere sweater indoors.

You need : gloves, hat, thick soled boots and a proper coat.

How long are you there for?

The coat is H&M Premium Quality. www2.hm.com/en_gb/productpage.0763322002.html

Oh my eyes those skirts! I knew there were Scandinavian tricks for surviving the cold that don't get shared on Pinterest, Scandi style has a reputation to keep :) It's really clever having something to slide over your trousers and take off easily when indoors though.

Will a normal beanie be OK, or do I need to invest in something lined? And I just have standard issue M&S leather gloves with fleece lining, hopefully my fingers won't fall off.

I'm so worried my Mediterranean consitution won't be able to cope with it all.

Are you actually going to be outside much? Everyone I know who lives in chilly climes just goes from building to car to building. No one in the US seems to walk anywhere . Conference is presumably arranged so you have transfers, accommodation, meals and everything organised? You might find you can avoid going outside for any lengthy period and therefore ordinary winter gear will be ok.

If you are going to a conference then I personally wouldn't wear a thermal base layer as it will be hot indoors and you can't remove a base layer.

Do you have a Uniqlo nearby? They do lightweight down jackets that you can wear under a coat. They also sell Heat-tech trousers. Or just buy yourself a fleece to go under a coat.

You definitely need a hat, a scarf, a pair of gloves and warm socks or thermal insoles. I lived in Berlin for one winter and really I just had my warmest London coat with an extra layer underneath. So long as I had hat/scarf/gloves etc and kept moving I was at about the right temperature. The wind chill was the biggest issue, so exposed skin suffered the most.

Padded skirts - who knew!

Enjoy Chicago - fab place

Nothing H&M will be good enough for proper cold. It is a nice coat though

But as said above - will you be outside much? Perhaps this won't be the conference trip where you go for long walks.

I love my padded skirt. Haven't needed it this winter, it's been so mild, but it's very handy. Fully zipped on one side, so you don't have to climb inside it, you wrap it around your waist and then zip it up (or down, rather). Mine is only a cheap thing, but it's enough for getting to the train, waiting on a platform - that sort of thing.

The wind in the city is unreal, you really really need something to cover your ears. Also recommend something for your face and even sunglasses if you are out walking. I went in May and june and it was hot both times but the wind was so painful on my ears and my eyes were watering badly.

Thanks all.

The hotel I'm staying at is only three minutes walk from the conference, so I'm sure I won't die, but I was hoping to be able to go out in the evenings for dinners or gigs - plus I have a day each side of the conference to explore the city (mostly go to toy shops to get presents for kids :)).

OK so it sounds like I won't be able to get away without having a padded windproof layer under the coat... I have ordered and sent back three different Uniqlo downs, they weren't my style at all, so I returned them thinking it's not worth forking out for them when I know I won't wear them ever again. I do have a fairly decent fitted cycling winter jacket from Berghaus, I'll take that with me and if it doesn't work I'll do an emergency shop at Uniqlo, there's a branch a block away from my hotel.

It sounds like I need to stock up on extra skin moisturising products too, given the harsh wind and heating (any excuse to go to Sephora).

And thanks for putting me off thermal layers, you are right I don't want to be sweltering.

I only paid £25 for my coat from ragatta website in November don't get me wrong it's not the most chic thing but it's so warm was perfect for a cold weathered Boston.

Thing about that wool coat is that the wind will go right through it - it doesn't have a waterproof /plastic layer on it. You'll freeze! If you're only pottering 3 minutes to the conference, fine, but strolling around town? You'll need something else.

I'd take your Berghaus jacket for sure.

Bear in mind you could shop over there for a coat and get a mega deal in the sale (as apparently spring is just around the corner... )

If there're shops nearby I'd play it cool too and risk having to buy something. The Berghaus sounds perfect.

I do wear my wool coat in the winter but it's never as windy here. It's ok if I for example wear my wonderful thick Irish wool jumper underneath - a proper scratchy yoke hold the heat something wonderful.

I always wear wool socks. My warm winter boots are fur lined. This winter I've worn unlined boots and been alright with wool socks. The toes need room to wiggle. Proper wool socks, none of this 25% and the rest acrylic rubbish.

Don't know how you'll solve the leg warmth without thermals if you go out (am assuming you won't find a padded skirt). But if you're wearing trousers a pair of waterproof trousers, like rain gear, isn't bad on top. Keeps the wind out. If your trousers are wool/warm that can be good enough.

I’m a cold creature who lived in a crazy cold climate for a while & the best cure is a thermal vest that you can tuck in. If you wear lots of thin layers, you won’t scalp when you’re indoors. I used to wear tights underneath my trousers and tuck the vest in to the tights & legwarmers too!

I find too wool socks really make a difference. I have managed to find some knee high ones at COS in previous seasons, they didn’t have them this year.

@Nogoodwithgoodbyes vests are my normal uniform September-May in the mild climes of the UK, I feel I don’t have much to add for 20 degrees colder temperature.

A colleague just reassured to not worry, the weather’s not that bad. She’s travelling in from Manitoba

Decathlon is really good for well priced warm clothes. You could get very inexpensive wool glove liners, hat, down layer or warm coat from there.

Thanks @MCBerberLoop I’m just trying to avoid buying stuff for the sake of one week and trying to work out if I can layer up or use better the stuff I already have.

I wish there was a place where we could hire this sort of stuff.

I like the look of this padded skirt www.icebreaker.com/en-gb/merinoloft-helix-skirt/104873001L_WS.html?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI2vbc8vS95wIVi7HtCh1U1w80EAQYASABEgIHkfD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds
I feel the cold very badly.
I think lined boots may be my only solution which do you have @banivani ?

I had several trips to Oslo for work at this time of year, and it was absolutely bloody freezing. I actually borrowed a long down-filled parka type coat from a colleague - is there anyone who could lend you something? Like you, I didn’t want to shell out on something I wouldn’t otherwise wear. I wore layers - thermal vest, shirt, jumper type idea - which meant I could strip off the jumper inside if I had to. I also had knee-high socks plus wool ankle socks under trousers, and leggings under dresses with socks/boots instead of opaque tights. I didn’t find it that warm inside the venue I was in - big conference centre type place - and was always glad of the thermal layer, but I am a cold person anyway! Shops were boiling though.

I had a cashmere beanie hat and scarf, and those M&S cashmere lined leather gloves. No need for big mittens or anything.

I was bought some very warm boots for Christmas, totally unsuitable for a conference but absolutely suitable for walking around. Sheepskin lined Panama Jacks.
Together with my very bulky and totally untrendy Toggi down jacket these are my go to outerwear. I also have lined riding breeches that I wear under jeans etc but again these would be a bit way out for work!

You need a snood for over your face. We had in NYC when was -14. Wear round neck then pull up over face. We just had Millets ones with a fleece band at one end. Will try a link...