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Help! Coat appropriate for Chicago winter?

JFW1

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I'm moving to Chicago and February, will be living downtown, and will have a 15 minute walk to work. What is an appropriate, yet warm enough, coat to wear to work? I work at an accounting firm and wear business casual. Don't want to get into sweaters

I have a full length RL wool/cashmere coat, but it just isn't warm enough for when it is really windy and below 30.

I was thinking about a down filled coat from Patagonia or Mountain Hardwear, such as these:


http://www.zappos.com/patagonia-mens...n-jacket-black

http://www.zappos.com/product/7645331/color/3

What do you think about these options? Any other suggestions?

Thanks!!
 

ter1413

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like neither.
 

Nicola

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JFW1;3873331 I have a full length RL wool/cashmere coat said:
Below 30? or below -30? 30F isn't cold. If an overcoat is too cold for you at 30F you're going to spend most of the year inside
plain.gif
 

Cary Grant

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Originally Posted by Nicola
Below 30? or below -30? 30F isn't cold. If an overcoat is too cold for you at 30F you're going to spend most of the year inside
plain.gif


You've not experienced downtown Chicago winter winds then. COming from Minneosta I can agree that 30F isn't cold... until you hit those 40mph gales that blow through the loop and peel your hide off.
 

Vcook

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Adding a sweater and a scarf seems like the easiest solution, that's what I did for my brief walk from the train station over to my office this morning(temps in the teens in chicago this morning, windy), and what I'll do most of the season.
 

Nicola

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Originally Posted by Cary Grant
You've not experienced downtown Chicago winter winds then. COming from Minneosta I can agree that 30F isn't cold... until you hit those 40mph gales that blow through the loop and peel your hide off.

So what happens when it hits 0 and that wind is still blowing?
 

Crane's

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Originally Posted by Nicola
So what happens when it hits 0 and that wind is still blowing?

You take a cab door to door or you get an arctic parka. Oh and 0 with 40 mph winds isn't anywhere near as bad as it gets in Chicago. I remember a few days of -15 to -20 with gale winds coming off the lake. About 5 minutes of that and you'll have a new perspective of what cold is.
 

TRINI

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Canada Goose.
 

Gus

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Don't get a short jacket. You will want to cover your rear.

Chicago might be the best place in the US to buy a nice, warm coat. They know what it is all about. Any chance you will visit there soon and can check out retailers for coats?
 

MrGoodBytes

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Originally Posted by Crane's
You take a cab door to door or you get an arctic parka. Oh and 0 with 40 mph winds isn't anywhere near as bad as it gets in Chicago. I remember a few days of -15 to -20 with gale winds coming off the lake. About 5 minutes of that and you'll have a new perspective of what cold is.

lol, today definitely was the first cold blast we've had to deal with. I really really wish I had brought a scarf.

hat, gloves, scarf and a warm sweater can get you through most of the winter. There are definitely some moments where it simply exceeds any reasonable efforts.
 

JFW1

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@ pocketsquare guy: Yes, I will be visiting in two weeks for apartment shopping, and the trip can double for coat shopping. What do you suggest?

Let's say I can wear my current overcoat down to x degrees with scarf and gloves-without trying to argue the subjective topic of what is "cold." Once it gets too cold (for me) for the overcoat, is it acceptable to go with a down filled coat (non "bubble" style) and if not, what is a good alternative?

Thanks!
 

JayJay

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Originally Posted by JFW1
@ pocketsquare guy: Yes, I will be visiting in two weeks for apartment shopping, and the trip can double for coat shopping. What do you suggest?

Let's say I can wear my current overcoat down to x degrees with scarf and gloves-without trying to argue the subjective topic of what is "cold." Once it gets too cold (for me) for the overcoat, is it acceptable to go with a down filled coat (non "bubble" style) and if not, what is a good alternative?

Thanks!

There will be at least a few days when you, or anyone else for that matter, won't care how you look as long as you're warm. I'd certainly consider the down filled coat. Look around on your next trip to Chicago, you'll see lots of options to try on.
 

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