Washington DC in January

[mhsjax]

I need help from any of you Dis'ers that live in the Washington area. My DS is in 8th grade and is going on a class trip to Washington DC on or around Jan 10th. I have been in Florida all of my life and never even traveled to anywhere that cold. I am looking for info about what type of clothing he needs. Keep in mind that I want the least amt possible, (but still keep him warm) he probably won't use it again before he outgrows it. I need the basics to keep him warm.

Also, just how cold does it get?

 

[golfgal]

I'm not in DC but live up north and "how cold does it get" really depends but plan on it being in the 20's or so in DC mid Jan-it could be in the 60's or colder then 20 too. Jeans, long sleeved t-shirt and a hoodie will be fine along with a winter coat/mittens/hat. They will either be on a bus or taking the metro places I would assume so their "outside" time is probably pretty limited. If you shop on Ebay-I would check there for a cheep winter coat otherwise look at Walmart or Target online for something. For a week in DC he doesn't need an expensive winter coat by any means.

 

[Christine]

January and February are our coldest months. It can be quite bitter in January. Alternatively, it can be fairly mild.

However, since your son has spent his whole life in Florida, even our "mild" days are going to feel cold to him.

I would invest in a good coat. Don't get a cheap coat that looks warm. It doesn't have to be a huge, down-filled parka, but some of those trimmer North Face jackets are pretty warm and do well in a variety of temps. I realize that is pricey though, but you want to look along those lines. A sporting good store should have a good selection.

He will need gloves, a hat, and some good socks and shoes. Other than that, anything else is fine (jeans, long sleeved shirt).

When touring in DC, because of the open areas like the Mall, and elipse, the wind can be bitter and cutting.

 

[Christine]

If you shop on Ebay-I would check there for a cheep winter coat otherwise look at Walmart or Target online for something. For a week in DC he doesn't need an expensive winter coat by any means.

Just want to say that one year my daughter bought a winter coat from Target and it was not warm at all. Be careful of the cheaper brands.

 

[golfgal]

Just want to say that one year my daughter bought a winter coat from Target and it was not warm at all. Be careful of the cheaper brands.

It will be just fine for a week of touring in DC, never to be worn again.

 

[Christine]

It will be just fine for a week of touring in DC, never to be worn again.

I disagree. If the weather is mild--sure. My daughter wore hers one day at school where they were outside for an hour and she about froze to death. But it sure was cute. It wasn't suitable for anything under than probably 50 degrees, even though it looked very wintery. I would not want to be stuck in something like that while walking around DC, standing outside waiting to get in anywhere, etc.

Boys do tend to run hotter though, wear better/warmer clothes in general, and their "cheapy" coats are not so decorative and possible more functional. I'd just be pretty careful about it.

 

[mhsjax]

Thanks for all the replies. DS likes the colder weather, although the coldest he has experienced is about 25 degree and not for an extended period of time.

I think I will look for a fairly cheap jacket. It is like pulling teeth to get him to wear a jacket even at the bus stop on those mornings when it is freezing or below. So he won't be wearing it here. Heck, he won't even wear shorts until it hits about 50 degrees outside. I think he is in for a rude awakening. lol

 

[Christine]

Thanks for all the replies. DS likes the colder weather, although the coldest he has experienced is about 25 degree and not for an extended period of time.

I think I will look for a fairly cheap jacket. It is like pulling teeth to get him to wear a jacket even at the bus stop on those mornings when it is freezing or below. So he won't be wearing it here. Heck, he won't even wear shorts until it hits about 50 degrees outside. I think he is in for a rude awakening. lol

Well, hopefully it will be mild.

If it makes you feel better, soon-to-be 16 y/o has not worn a winter coat in 2 years (and we live outside of DC and had the worst winter ever last year). He wears a very lightweight jacket most days. I guess he's not outside a lot it doesn't bother him. If he does have to stand outside then he absolutely freezes and he will begrudgingly put on his dad's coat.

 

[golfgal]

I disagree. If the weather is mild--sure. My daughter wore hers one day at school where they were outside for an hour and she about froze to death. But it sure was cute. It wasn't suitable for anything under than probably 50 degrees, even though it looked very wintery. I would not want to be stuck in something like that while walking around DC, standing outside waiting to get in anywhere, etc.

Boys do tend to run hotter though, wear better/warmer clothes in general, and their "cheapy" coats are not so decorative and possible more functional. I'd just be pretty careful about it.

If you get a THIN coat at Target, that will be your experience, you can find down coats at Target/Walmart and they will be plenty warm. I live in MN, I understand real cold. No, the "cute" jackets at Target are NOT meant for warmth-they would be what I consider a fall jacket.

http://www.target.com/Boys-Outerwea.../B003VV1AT0/ref=sc_ri_3?ie=UTF8&node=15373581

Something like this would be just fine for your son, OP. There is no need to spend $100 on a North Face jacket for a week.

 

[golfgal]

Another idea would be to ask anyone you know that went last year-they might have a jacket in their closet that they won't need either.

 

[mhsjax]

Well, hopefully it will be mild.

If it makes you feel better, soon-to-be 16 y/o has not worn a winter coat in 2 years (and we live outside of DC and had the worst winter ever last year). He wears a very lightweight jacket most days. I guess he's not outside a lot it doesn't bother him. If he does have to stand outside then he absolutely freezes and he will begrudgingly put on his dad's coat.

Sounds like mine. At least if he won't wear a coat or if I get him one that isn't that warm, he will dress in layers. For some reason he doesn't see this as silly, but a coat he sees as ugly and stupid. The kid hasn't experienced real cold yet.

 

[golfgal]

Sounds like mine. At least if he won't wear a coat or if I get him one that isn't that warm, he will dress in layers. For some reason he doesn't see this as silly, but a coat he sees as ugly and stupid. The kid hasn't experienced real cold yet.

Kids, mostly boys, here rarely wear winter coats. They keep them in the car going too and from school but never wear them. If they happen to be playing outside in the snow, they might put one on. They will wear their letter jackets to football games, etc. I think DS18 actually WORE his coat to school once all through high school-even when he took the bus.

 

[mhsjax]

Another idea would be to ask anyone you know that went last year-they might have a jacket in their closet that they won't need either.

I was just sitting here trying to think of someone that he knows that went. Unfortunately with this economy most kids aren't going. The only reason he is, is because he never goes on the field trips to WDW, been there and done that. Also his birthday is in Jan. so this is considered a big part of his Christmas and all of his B-day, he was given this choice and he agreed, but most people I know aren't sending their kids.

 

[Hoodie]

I'd add that in addition to a coat and clothes, make sure he has gloves, hat, scarf and multiple pairs of socks. January can be bitter with bad winds, and there is a lot of outside/walking time in DC. Also, depending on whether it had snowed, rained, or just frozen and thawed, the Mall and surrounding areas tend to be very wet and muddy. If there's snow/ice involved, you can add salt to the wet mud. Bring a couple of pairs of sneakers and be fine with the idea that they will probably be trashed at the end of the trip.

Hopefully we won't have a winter like last year!

 

[Christine]

If you get a THIN coat at Target, that will be your experience, you can find down coats at Target/Walmart and they will be plenty warm. I live in MN, I understand real cold. No, the "cute" jackets at Target are NOT meant for warmth-they would be what I consider a fall jacket.

http://www.target.com/Boys-Outerwea.../B003VV1AT0/ref=sc_ri_3?ie=UTF8&node=15373581

Something like this would be just fine for your son, OP. There is no need to spend $100 on a North Face jacket for a week.

Now, golfgal, do you think I'm stupid???

The coat I got my daughter was one of those puffy coats. It claimed to have down in it. It was $45 dollars. The cute part of it was that it was a shiny burgandy color and had a fur-trimmed collar. Everything about it screamed "I'M WARM, I'M WARM, BUY ME!!!" It was not. And it was not thin.

And I agree that the OP should not buy a North Face, I think I said they were pricey and not necessary but something along those lines. My daughter now has a thin, North Face that is tons warmer than that down-filled puffy coat from Target.

 

[mhsjax]

I'd add that in addition to a coat and clothes, make sure he has gloves, hat, scarf and multiple pairs of socks. January can be bitter with bad winds, and there is a lot of outside/walking time in DC. Also, depending on whether it had snowed, rained, or just frozen and thawed, the Mall and surrounding areas tend to be very wet and muddy. If there's snow/ice involved, you can add salt to the wet mud. Bring a couple of pairs of sneakers and be fine with the idea that they will probably be trashed at the end of the trip.

Hopefully we won't have a winter like last year!

Wow, thanks. I didn't even think about extra shoes. Heavy socks yes. You can tell I have never dealt with snow or ice.

 

[bfeller]

This is just a thought but if he isn't a real coat wearer maybe he could layer. Long sleeve tshirt with a long sleeve shirt, then add a sweat shirt that is made out of some very heavy material and then get a down vest. Get one of those thermal hats that cover the ears and add a pair of gloves. I would also invest some waterproof hiking boots with some wonderful wool socks because if there is snow on the ground then his feet will very wet.

At least with hiking boots he may use them again if he is an outdoorsy type of kid.

I hope he has a great time

 

[golfgal]

I have these from Land's End:

http://www.landsend.com/pp/WeatherM...7&CM_MERCH=IDX_00003__0000000356&origin=index

They are GREAT for wearing around in the snow and muck. They are warm enough for what he will need, they are more like regular shoes for walking in the museums, etc. but not overly hot that his feet will sweat in the museums, etc.

 

[mhsjax]

This is just a thought but if he isn't a real coat wearer maybe he could layer. Long sleeve tshirt with a long sleeve shirt, then add a sweat shirt that is made out of some very heavy material and then get a down vest. Get one of those thermal hats that cover the ears and add a pair of gloves. I would also invest some waterproof hiking boots with some wonderful wool socks because if there is snow on the ground then his feet will very wet.

At least with hiking boots he may use them again if he is an outdoorsy type of kid.

I hope he has a great time

Thanks, he is really excited. He had finally determined that he wants to work for the CIA in some capacity, (probably with computers) I am sure that once he comes home, he will probably tell me that he is going to live up there after college.

 

[mhsjax]

I have these from Land's End:

http://www.landsend.com/pp/WeatherM...7&CM_MERCH=IDX_00003__0000000356&origin=index

They are GREAT for wearing around in the snow and muck. They are warm enough for what he will need, they are more like regular shoes for walking in the museums, etc. but not overly hot that his feet will sweat in the museums, etc.

Those are nice. I will look into getting some for him.