Canada Nesties
Chrysallys
member
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Our tech team has launched updates to The Nest today. As a result of these updates, members of the Nest Community will need to change their password in order to continue participating in the community. In addition, The Nest community member's avatars will be replaced with generic default avatars. If you wish to revert to your original avatar, you will need to re-upload it via The Nest.
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Help a newbie out
Ok girls, I'm calling on your genious and experience. I need winter clothes and other than a visit to the IL's two years ago, have never experienced a Canadian winter. So here we go.
What do I need?
How many of each thing?
Where do you like to get your winter things? Catalogue, store?
When do you get the best prices on them. Should I start to look now?
Extra smooches for advice about winter baby clothes.
I really am clueless and it's been a long time since DH has lived here. Thanks ladies!
Re: Help a newbie out
I'm sure there are others who could give better advice, but DH and I moved to Calgary, AB, last October and were in the same position as you!
We bought things little by little as we figured out what we needed - mostly at outdoor stores like Mountain Equipment Co-Op and Coast Mountain Sports (not sure if these are everywhere in Canada). It was expensive, but we decided to invest in high quality stuff and found it to be TOTALLY worth the money for us Tennessee folk not used to the cold! Here are the things we got that I couldn't live without:
1) Extra warm ski-jacket - the waterproof exterior is great for snow, and they are unbelievably warm and wind-proof. I'd suggest looking for a longer one - I have a North Face one that is actually pretty sleek and stylish, that goes almost to my knees.
2) Long underwear! There were many days that I wore mine under my normal clothes. I got pants and a turtleneck type shirt by Ice Breakers and hubby got Helly Hansen ones - and we've both stayed very warm!
3) Warm, waterproof boots with good tread (hiking boots can even work), for walking around on snowy days
4) A well-insulated hat and - if you plan to ski at all - thick down mittens. Those have been my savior
Sorry, but I don't know much about baby clothes - good luck!!
My first question would be where in Ontario do you live? The advice would be different based on the area.
You would want a good winter jacket and a pair of boots. Hat, scarf, gloves.....
I'm in Guelph.
For me, the things I always have are skidoo boots with removable liners and ski mitts and a good ski coat cosy hat and scarf. I will often change my shoes and such when I get to wear I am going. It can be super duper cold so it's nice to have these thngs in yoiur house or car.
For baby, snowsuit, hat, mits, something for face to protect the little nose.
Also invest in a good lip balm and moisturizer.
And trust me when I say this, on a day that is freaking cold outside most people dress like the michelin man and change when they get to work. So don't tough it out. Be warm!
I?m normally cold all the time and it?s worse in the winter but I still like to put fashion first! LOL There is no need to look like an old lady just because it?s cold. There are very nice and WARM options out there!
I?m born & raised Canadian and I?ve never had a ?Ski-Jacket?. There are very nice, stylish winter coats out there. Sears has a very nice selection and they?re still warm! http://tinyurl.com/ydnp9be
Turtlenecks about 3?Sweaters (which I love) I?d say about 7 to be able to rotate in a week?or a few cardigans. I like to get ?sweater sets? it?s an easier way to still layer but look nice. Jeans are fine? I personally on days where I?ll be outside will wear extra-thick type pantyhose or a pair of tights under my jeans. I?ve never owned long-underwear! But DH must have them since he works outdoors all year.
Boots are a must! For the last 2 yrs I?ve had a pair of BCBG?s that had some faux-fur around the top edge, they?re knee length slip on boots with a 3? wedge heel ? Very Hot! http://tinyurl.com/ybnwula But not practical since I?ll be 7/8 months pregnant when winter kicks in?I now need to shop for and easy in-&-out boot with good treads. Scarf, gloves & hat - I hate wearing hats so even if I?m freezing ? I won?t wear them :-) I get some nice 3pc sets from Winners or most department stores will have them out in about 3 weeks from now!
Baby: Your little one is still small and I personally hate the feeling of buckling them in with a bulky snow suit. I love these - http://tinyurl.com/y8cwwcv you can throw a blanket over their legs and zip them up before you get outside. Easy! They on the other hand need hats! Just to keep the warmth in while you?re in the car etc.
Good Luck & Happy Shopping!!!
What do I need? I have a good dressier wool winter coat. And, then a snowboarding type material jacket. Gloves, hat, scarf. I wear my Uggs pretty much all winter. You want to get shoes that have a good rubber sole for the snow. Anything else, maybe cause your to fall/slip.
My usual "going out" snow clothes are jeans, tshirt with a long sleeved over the top sometimes, one of my winter jackets and my Uggs and gloves.
Some ppl I know wear long thermal type leggings/shirts. But I have never needed to wear them. But I am not out and about walking anyway. Just mostly from the car to somewhere indoors. And, the times we are sledding I have never needed them either.
How many of each thing? see above.
Where do you like to get your winter things? Catalogue, store? I got my dressy wool coat at Rickis or RW&Company. They are both mall stores. I am not sure where I got my snowboarding type jacket. But Moutain Equipment Co-op has alot of selection of winter stuff.
When do you get the best prices on them. Should I start to look now? YES. Start looking now. I find that alot of the sizes/selection go really quickly.
Extra smooches for advice about winter baby clothes. I buy GAP winter stuff for my kids.
I bought a one piece like this for Kate's first winter:
http://www.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=8788&vid=1&pid=664020
Mine was more cloth than that though. We go sledding and whatnot alot in the winter, so a good winter one piece is great. I didn't really use it for the carseat though. I just bought a thick sweater and used blankets mostly if we were just going from the car to the store.
I had a JJCole Bundle Me (from TRU) for the infant carrier carseats. That was really helpful, too!
We had one of these from TRU or Wal-Mart has them. I used it all the time. Just putting a blanket over didn't help with blowing snow:
http://www.efuzzies.com/catalog/car_seat_cover.jpg
Old Navy has some good winter hats for infants.
HTH!
ETA: I used the Bundle Me and carseat cover most. So, IMHO those are some "must-haves."
First, it may not get real nippy or icy until January. ?Before then we usualy get one massive dump of snow that melts, and just random light dusting.
January-March are our real winter months, with a thaw around valentine's day almost every year. ?(Always in time for HS semi-formal!)?
This is my stash:?
Boots- I wear SOREL boots, which you can buy at Mark's Work Warehouse (there is one next to the Metro across from Stone Rd. Mall), at North by Northwest (in the mall), or newer updated styles of their boots from IF footwear right downtown (in St. George's square). ?The key in our area is for waterproof with good grip, because we often walk through slush or on slippery pavement. ?
You may want to add a fashion-y boot too, but keep in mind you should have something you can walk on ice in, and that will have room for thick socks if it's not insulated.?
I have a few winter jackets:
1. Wool jacket- this is black and I wear it most. ?It can be worn over a dress for christmas/new years outings, or casual with jeans. ?I bought this one at The Bay (the mall in Cambridge has one), but you can buy one anywhere. ?Gap often has great ones (again, not in Guelph, I usually go to the one at fairview mall in KW). ?You can go to sears, or any department style retailer.
2. Sport/Ski jacket with zip-in liner- mine is from a hiking store, I've had it about 7-8 years I am going to update this one this season. ?Sports stores like sportmart, sportcheck, hiking stores (all in around stone road mall) will have them, as will specialty stores like the MEC in Burlington, nearish IKEA. ?MEC is a great shop, like ***'s sports but you need a membership (buying a share). ?It's about 15$, DeeMachine can confirm if I am right on the price.
3. Puffy vest- for when I'm feeling thug. ?(actually more for walking the dogs, etc.) ?Again, this can be had from any sport shop, mine was North by Northwest.
4-5. another wool jackets (this one vintage with bone toggles) and a second sporty coat, but not comfortable for wearing with a liner, so gets more early season use. ?
?
Mitts/scarves/hats- general. ?I can only wear natural fibres (wool/cotton) because of allergies, but you'll end up with endless sets. ?I also have leather gloves for driving, when you need more dexterity but it's too cold for bare hands. ? These I bought at Winners (north end, on Silvercreek Pkwy), but can come from various shops in the mall, Zellers or sears.
?
general advice:?
As for the kid, my best guess would be layers, because he may not feel entirely comfortable in a bulky suit all the time, especially if he mostly uses it in say the car, which is heated. ??
Make sure he has some form of insulated waterproof boot, and a snowsuit for playing in the snow. ?Even when he's very little you may want to do this for short periods of time.
I think for shopping you should just check out Zellers, Sears... or "the children's place" (at the mall)?
There are also one or two "once upon a child" type stores on Silver Creek Pkwy, near the value village (big thrift store) they will have things that were only worn a season or two, sold on consignment.
?
Yup, I'm also very into fashion, but have gotten used to changing my shoes and taking off layers once I arrive at my destination! In my experience, everybody else does the same thing
I should point out that I do a lot of walking (and that I'm a big baby when it comes to the cold), so if you're mostly driving, you may be fine with a wool coat and no long johns. I have some wool coats, but I found that when Calgary got down below -20 (which it did for many weeks at a time), they were simply not warm enough for me.
I also use my gear for skiing, hiking, etc., all winter long, so not sure if that's something you're considering as well...
Your area is pretty much in the snow belt of Southwestern Ontario. I would invest in a pair of really good boots to start out with. I bought a pair last year from Marks Work Warehouse. I take public transit, so I don't care so much about fashion as much as being able to retain feeling in my toes in -20 temperatures. I can't find a link on their website, but they come out with flyers quite often. They were mid shin height, and came in a bunch of colours. They also had a fuzzy fleece lining. The warmest boots I've ever had.
My mom always made us have winter coats that covered our bum, and I've found those have been words to live by when choosing a coat as an adult. Also keep in mind what you're going to be using the coat for. If you're going to be getting in and out of a car alot, then make sure your coat will let you do that easily. If you're going to be skiing, etc, then your needs will be different. Department stores or sporting good stores are a good place to start. My DH has a winter coat with a detachable lining, so he can get a lot of wear out of it from Fall to Spring. Also make sure you have a good hat and mitts. I find gloves are a useless.
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I would get a good winter coat (get something that covers your butt), some scarfs, hats and mitts. Also some winter boots will come in handy so your feet don't get cold/wet and so you don't ruin your shoes.
Get some sweaters. Old Navy has some on sale right now. Layers are your best friend in the winter.
I have 1 winter coat, 3 scarves, 3 hats and 4 sets of mitts. I have a million sweaters but I am always cold.
I would check out Winners. You can also go to the mall and just browse all the stores.
Best prices are when the season is done but since that is not a possibility I would buy them as soon as you can before they are all gone (because everything will sell out).
All the baby clothing stores will have winter clothes. Hats, mitts and layers are key. Also get a nice heavy blanket for your carseat. You could also get a snow suit if you wanted to. Check out Once Upon a Child if you are looking for some deals. They have some great used clothes (and some brand new). I got PJ's there for $1.50 and onesies for $0.50 (some with the tags still on).
Oh and make sure you winterize your car and get an emergency kit.