[lynne1551]

I am a southerner who will be working in Hartford for the next few months. I will be flying back and forth each week and working ten-hour days while I am there. So I basically will only be outside for short periods of time.

What kind of coat should I buy--short coat, long coat, coat with hood, wool, or raincoat with lining? (This coat will also be crushed up on an airplane a good bit.)

[Lintu]

It really depends on your cold tolerance more than anything else. I had a friend from Puerto Rico who wore a full length down coat throughout winter, but a lot of native New Englanders go pretty light.

Does it need to be work appropriate? If I needed something business-appropriate for a Hartford winter, I would go for a long wool coat. For casual/non-business, I wear a down puffer pretty much all winter and am completely comfortable. It also squishes nicely on trips.

[mels]

I wear a hip length wool pea coat all winter for work, though I do have a more light weight water resistant longer coat for warmer (read: non freezing) days. For casual wear, a wind block fleece jacket gets me through the winter.

It really depends on your tolerance. It is probably safe to say that I will be more cold tolerant than you! Buy a mid-weight coat that you can get some use out of at home too and buy warm accessories, like warm gloves, scarf, hat or ear muffs (I like the 180 ear muffs), etc.

I should also add, January and February tend to be the coldest months, so if the bulk of your work will be in November and December, you can catch some (relatively) warmer temps.

[Lintu]

Yes! Warm gloves and earmuffs probably make more of a difference than anything, though mostly for long periods outside (because of wind).

[kettlepot]

What should a person do to keep their calves warm? Even if you're a guy wearing wool pants, the wind can cut like a hot knife through butter. Long underwear might do the trick, but you'll end up with too much uncomfortable bulk once you're inside. Since 1980s style leg warmers are apparently OUT, what's a person to do?

[Lintu]

I've never had trouble with my legs being cold, but if it's a really brutal winter and you're outside, underarmor is good. My husband used to walk 2 miles to work and he used it in January-February and then changed at the office. It's only really necessary if you're outside a lot. I've worn lined wool pants and been absolutely fine. When bumming around or shoveling snow, I wear cotton pants under fleece sweats.

[JViello]

Originally Posted by kettlepot

What should a person do to keep their calves warm? Even if you're a guy wearing wool pants, the wind can cut like a hot knife through butter. Long underwear might do the trick, but you'll end up with too much uncomfortable bulk once you're inside. Since 1980s style leg warmers are apparently OUT, what's a person to do?

Oh good Lord it's not THAT bad. Unless are working outside all day, a normal coat and pants will do you just fine. Yes if you have to walk across the city, when you get to your destination you'll have to shake off the chill. It's no different than a hot day, getting inside and cooling off. Average daily high in January is about 35 degrees, not -5.

[Stratford, Ct. Resident]

An inexpensive and ugly one, if you're intending to venture around Hartford very much.

[mels]

Originally Posted by JViello

Oh good Lord it's not THAT bad. Unless are working outside all day, a normal coat and pants will do you just fine. Yes if you have to walk across the city, when you get to your destination you'll have to shake off the chill. It's no different than a hot day, getting inside and cooling off. Average daily high in January is about 35 degrees, not -5.

Agreed.

I wear skirts to work regularly in the winter and just dart in and out of buildings in a normal coat with nothing but tights on my legs. If your calves are that sensitive, get tall, warm Sorel-style boots you can change out of and into coming to/from work.

[Uconn97]

I think you'll be just fine with a mid weight wool coat and a pair of gloves. Thats pretty much what I wear unless I am out dealing with snow or playing with the kids, then I have a heavier jacket.