Semester in Canada
 

My middle kid is going to Univ of Guelph for the Spring semester. We live at about 29 deg north latitude. Guelph is at about 44 deg. If I remember correctly, it gets colder the farther north you go, isn't that right? Her wardrobe doesn't include feathers and woven animal hair. It probably should, huh?

Yesterday we went looking for winter clothes and guess what, we don't have any around here. I worked for a couple of years surveying in northern Michigan and in western Wyoming and I remember quite clearly that I was layered-up like a tiramisu cake. But I was outside dawn-to-dusk and probably took a lot more precautions -- I planned for an emergency night in the field with what I could carry.

She'll be in a dorm on a meal ticket, no car. Daddy is frugal to the point of Ebenezer Scrooge. But I don't want her to experience a death camp quality of life either.

So I have a question for you folks who live in the great wasteland above Arkansas who also have an eye on fashion -- where is a website or a store in Houston (my sister-in-law is from Edmonton and they live in Clear Lake/Kemah) that we can visit to buy a proper winter wardrobe for a 22 year-old young lady in college at Guelph? Uh, ... that wont raid my bank account.

Bot

The answer lies in a large thrift store in Guelph, Ontario. Having spent 3 graduate school years in the frozen wasteland of Ontario, I know you need to dress warmly. My Eddie Bauer down jacket, bought for a song since the zipper was broken, kept me alive as I trekked thru snowdrifts to class.
Seriously, some jeans, warm boots, a few sweaters, some mittens and a warm jacket with a hood should help her survive until the sun begins peeking over the southern horizon.
Tell her to hook up with the Outdoor club and see if she can get an early season canoe trip in Algonquin Park. I've taken a couple of memorable early season canoe trips on the Saugeen River, which if memory serves me correctly, is not too far from Guelph.



http://www.sierratradingpost.com/Womens-Clothing.html is hard to beat for good prices on outdoor clothing.

Any ski shops in your area?:D Northface and Victorinox are nice.

sierratradingpost does have good prices. Also you could try overstock.com.

She was on crew for her 1st 2 years and I think would enjoy the canoeing. Thanks for the heads-up.

BTW, how is Guelph properly pronounced by Guelphians? "Gwelf"? "Gelf"?

It doesn't get very cold down there. I know it sounds weird. Here's what I'd recommend if she is to be standing outside waiting for the bus.

2 pairs wool blend longjohns. Hang them up to dry on a drying rack everyday.
Good parka, with hood, long in the back.
Hats. Get a couple.
A few pairs of merino wool socks.
Scarf.
Gloves.

That's really all there is to it. The drying rack extends the life of your wool gear by years. You don't have to wash stuff that often because the newer fabrics don't seem to really pick up dirt and odors.

I like to buy my stuff at REI outlet dot com, sierratradingpost, or backcountryoutlet. For fashion stuff she might like the Ibex and Icebreaker stuff, and the everpresent Smartwool brand.

Univ of Guelph is a great place (pronounced Gwelf)
Most notably noted as a school with the most bars per student ratio.:)
My wife went there as well as a few of our friends and their kids.
From Nov-Mar you will definitely need a good warm coat, boots, gloves, knitted hat (toque) and typical student gear (sweat shirts and pants).
All can be bought up here if needed.
Cheers eh

If you want to buy her an item or 2 that'll last decades, look at Patagonia.

http://www.patagonia.com/


I have a Synchilla jacket that was purchased 20 years ago.

http://www.patagonia.com/web/us/product/product_focus.jsp?OPTION=PRODUCT_FOCUS_DISPLAY_HANDLER&catcode=MAIN_FA_US.CLOTHING_GEAR.MENS.JACKETS &style_color=28135-692&ws=

I know a delorean owner up there.. I'll ask him

When is she starting? Weather in the spring can be highly variable. I remember wearing t shirts on march break, and snow storms at the end of march a last year. Actually last year was a bad winter with the piles of snow not melting until well into April.