I'm a lifelong Californian that just moved to New Jersey, what do I need to survive my first real winter? (I know I'll need boots/waterproof shoes so if you have not too chunky boot recs I'd love those!)

Question

Josh · Answer

A go to bagel /sandwhich spot: I grew up in Jersey and nothing will get you in a good mood all year but especially in the winter like a Sausage Egg and Cheese on an everything bagel toasted salt pepper ketchup, being able to say the order in one breath, and the elderly woman across the counter saying “of course baby great seeing you again”

I know it’s probably not the rec you were looking for but it’s an important part of the culture

Liz Migliorelli · Answer

A disco ball for your living room: I hang mine every winter solstice and take it down on the spring equinox. It makes being in the dark more fun! 🪩

Claire · Answer

L.L.Bean Women's Wicked Good Slippers: Just put these babies on for the first time this season and they really are wicked good! Soft warm hugs for your footsie tootsies.

molly · Answer

Hatch Sunrise Alarm: to help with the long darkness

Heather · Answer

Silk long underwear: You can get tops and bottoms to layer under your existing wardrobe. It's lightweight but will really boost your heat retention and it's a natural fabric to boot.

Rachel Sundstrom · Answer

Patagonia fleeces: I live in these all winter! They are super warm and last forever so are worth the cost. Also, find a really good chapstick and body/face lotion!

Molly Hall · Answer

Darn tough wool socks: These.

orlando* · Answer

Hand Warmers: These bad boys will get you through anything & any winter, guaranteed

Sincerely,

A New Englander

Jackie · Answer

Make your home as anti-winter as possible: Buy all the plants to help with SAD. Make it a haven. Hopefully you move somewhere with fantastic natural light. Not an East coaster but a Chicagoan (arguably worse winters?). If you’re in an old walk up, you might need to cellophane wrap the windows like I had to do. It makes a difference in retaining the heat indoors. It can be professionally done. If you’re in a new building, ideally hopefully you have a gym so you can get regular movement since the cold can make you not want to leave the house.

Whitney · Answer

HEATTECH Ultra Warm T-Shirt: GO TO UNIQLO AND STOCK UP ON ALL THE WINTER ESSENTIALS! I say this is all Caps bc it’s the best bang for your buck. Go to the SoHo location!

Allison · Answer

LONG Parka with a BIG Hood: Even as a native East Coaster, it took me way too long to adopt the long parka. It makes a huge difference! Other key coat tips:

You want to get a coat with a big hood - like at least an inch past your face big. This is key for blocking the wind and warming up the air even just a bit before you breathe it in.

If you’re like me and overheat easily, a bibbed coat with an inner vest is a godsend. You can open it halfway and still be wrapped up, but let a little air in. Bonus: the vest keeps you even warmer as an extra layer!

For sizing, go at least one size bigger than you’d normally get. You’ll want to be able to wear thick clothes underneath without feeling stuffed in.

Last but not least, a quality coat can be PRICY. Highly recommend shopping secondhand (either local or Poshmark, ThredUp, Depop, etc.) to try out ones you like. This is the coat I have (Cole Haan) and there are lots of thrifted options online.

Happy wintering!

Kate Beck · Answer

Thermal Blundstones: As a Minnesotan I LIVE in these from November-March. They’re waterproof, cozy, comfortable, and incredibly practical as an everyday winter footwear option without looking too “snow boot”y. Can’t recommend them enough!

SSilva · Answer

Sorel: Hi! Former Californian who moved to Colorado and learned the hard way here:::

California 'winter' gear doesn't hold up. Get yourself some cute waterproof boots, thin wool socks, a legit coat that is rated for snow, cute hat/gloves. It's all about the gear or you might find yourself quite cold and cranky. Fave coat is black, longer to the thigh Patagucci. REI can hook you up too.

Soph · Answer

Fluff alpaca socks: All the hudson valley girlies upstate have these thick chunky ribbed therapeutic alpaca sock, you will then start buying winter shoes a size up so you can fit your big socky feet in ur boots.

Soph · Answer

Merino Woolx tights: Not itchy, warm af, I’ve had mine for years and they’re still thick. Wash them as many times as you want, stretchy. Wear underneath as a layering hack or around the house in a giant sweater and alpaca socks. 🧦

Lisa · Answer

Keeping Plans with Friends Despite the Eternal Dark and/or a Blizzard: Canadian in NYC here to say a key way to survive the deep cold is to stay connected. It's so easy to hunker down and be cozy, but that can get grim when the sun sets at 4pm day after day. Bundle up and kept your friend dates!

Aryn · Answer

An Ice Scraper for Your Car: Even before it snows, you’ll awake to some wonderful ice crystals across your windshield and while you can use the de-frost in your car, if you don’t have time to wait for everything to melt, you’ll want an ice scraper to save your morning commute timing.

Similarly, a snow shovel! NJ doesn’t get a ton of snow, but even if you have a service that plows for you, typically you still need to dig out around your tires.

Josie · Answer

salomon snowclog: i am coveting these for winter. part of my sisyphean effort to find winter clothes that aren't ugly as hell

Lucy Propper · Answer

Layering. Layers/sweaters of various natural fibers, especially merino wool, instead of winter coat: For a while i thought i hated winter. I love winter, i was just dressing wrong. Base layer, mid layer, outer layer. you can do cotton sure, but i love going full wool. Wool under layers, a thin merino. Hat, socks, Uggs too! whatever. merino cashmere or otherwise. gloves, mittens, scarves. head. to. toe. Merino especially. I loooove wool. Sheep are amazing

Ali · Answer

Get a humidifier: With the cold air outside and the heat blasting inside, your skin, hair, nose, and throat will get dry, plus you might get headaches and exhaustion. A humidifier can practically eradicate all of these problems. I have yet to find a humidifier that is TRULY easy to clean but it’s worth the effort for northeastern winters. I also have a travel humidifier with me on winter trips.

Paige · Answer

Ugg Adirondack Boot XXV: These have been my winter boots for 4/5 years (Buffalo, New Yorker). I was very skeptical that they’d be tough enough and warm enough, but Wirecutter recommended and I have been really pleased with them for playing outside with my kids or running errands on miserable days

ALI D. · Answer

Mental health prep: Fellow Californian here! Perhaps you won't hit a depressive/anxiety ridden wall mid-winter, but I sure did my first couple winters in New York. In addition to leaning into hygge rituals (TEA! SOUPS! PILATES!) some supplements helped ease the darkness that descended upon me. I took St. John's Wort as an anti-depressant for years, but now I take Rhodiola Rosea every morning (mood and stress) and I'll take ashwaganda/l-theanine if the darkness is particularly thicc. And magnesium biglycinate at night for body relaxation. Oh and get a SAD light!

Not a doc, so do your own research of course, or don't listen to me at all! It's gonna be great! Good luck💖

Carmen · Answer

a cheap plastic sled: and in that same vein, snow pants. bring back the feeling of snow days as an adult.

Valia · Answer

Prepare your car for the storm: The day before a snow storm, make sure to pull up your window shield wipers and maybe use an anti freeze liquid so even after you clean the snow, the ice doesn’t stick on your windows and side mirrors. If you live by a river, be prepared for possible flooding afterwards! The snow has to go somewhere.

Marygrace · Answer

Candles, lots of them: Light them in the morning when it's still dark out and enjoy them while you have your coffee. Makes you feel nice and cozy before you have to go out into the cold.

Nicole Anderson · Answer

Uniqlo Cashmere beanie: Soft, warm and reasonably priced.

Sarah · Answer

Foldover Mittens: I’ve survived 15 New York winters, and I swear by fold-over mittens. Your fingers stay warmer when they are united in the mitten, and the fold is much easier to maneuver than taking gloves off and on constantly. These shearling ones come in multiple colors.

Jamie · Answer

Don’t Drive the First Day it Snows: Doesn’t matter how good you are at driving, everyone else forgets how to drive the morning after the first snowfall. Stay cozy inside instead of slip sliding, or being slip slid into :)

Jamie · Answer

Patagonia Puffy: A lighter weight one is good for transitional seasons, outdoor activities where you’re generating body heat, and to wear under a real parka (waterproof mandatory) on true frigid days. I’ve had my Patagonia since high school (I’m 28) and it’s going strong. Also they repair their own products for free if you ever get some escaping down. Don’t forget to wash and dry (with tennis balls) seasonally to keep the down lofty! Pro tip: if you buy from REI and end up not loving the model you chose, you can return something in decent condition forever.

Jamie · Answer

Sorel Boots: Genuinely any model that looks cute to you and is waterproof with insulation. I’m from Minnesota so I KNOW. They will last and are decently cute! Do NOT be fooled by the Duck Boot stans—wasted money on those for my feet to be cold and uncomfy when I should have trusted my lifelong commitment to Sorels.

Casson · Answer

All wheel drive or snow tires: If this winter is anything like last year’s, and you live in area requiring cars, best to check out some ways to make it easier to drive in the cold/snow/sleet/icy conditions. And remind yourself of the ways to brake if you hit a patch of black ice.

Katherine · Answer

UGG Adirondacks: These boots have gotten me through almost 20 winters in NYC! I haven’t tried the very latest version, but the shearling is warm and breathable, and my favorite thing about them is that the sole feels somewhat like a real shoe. A lot of snow boots feel clunky, but these are more like hiking boots, nimble for navigating snow and slushy sidewalks.

Daniel Day-Louis-Dreyfus · Answer

Smartwool: I’ve had maybe 20 East Coast winters, and Smartwool was game changer in my household from 2025-2026. Specifically, the all-season merino base layer bottoms. They keep you so warm without adding bulk to your outfits. The solid black/navy/green/greys tend to be priced higher, but I’ve gotten deals on the busy patterns via Backcountry (no one’s going to see them under your 👖, right?)

Chiara · Answer

Ororo Heated Vest: Definitely not a must-have, but a very-nice-to-have! Keeps your core so nice and toasty. I’m a little anemic and generally whiny about being cold, and this has changed the winter game for me tbh

Maya Bernstein-Schalet · Answer

thrifted vintage turtlenecks: the quality is just so much better than the ones now. look for lands end, ll bean, patagonia. here my grandpa in his 💌

Julia · Answer

Sock liners: If you get cold toes and plan on being outside for long periods of time sock liners are great. When I was moving from California to Eastern Europe a Minnesotan friend clued me in to these. I got the most simple ones I could find.