Looks:
The Spirited Beanie
At fall football games and on the Corner, you’ll see plenty of students sporting a cozy beanie or hat! Mincer’s, a store on the Corner that sells UVA gear, as well as the UVA bookstore, sell plenty of versatile hats that can keep you warm while cheering on the Hoos.
Hats while hiking Humpback Rock!
Rain Ready
Charlottesville gets lots of rain, so you’re going to want to have a raincoat, boots, and umbrella on hand whether it’s September or January! Trust me, it’s worth investing in these items- you don’t want to get stuck in the rain and then show up to your class dripping.
Snow Coming Soon!
While it does snow at UVA, ski/snow themed events are way more prevalent than actual snow. So be prepared and obtain snow gear that is practical, but also know you might be wearing it more often for style more than real snow! It’s good to have one warm puffer jacket, some boots for mixed weather such as Bean Boots, and at least one pair of gloves for the months of December-March. You might not have tons of storage space in your dorm room, so it’s a good idea to plan to bring those items after Thanksgiving and take them home over spring break.
Friends dressed warmly to play in the snow!
My friend Emily and I at a snow themed event!
Lovely Layers
In classrooms and libraries, the temperature can fluctuate significantly. Once while studying in Clemons library my hands got so cold that I was typing with my gloves on and hugging a hot coffee to stay warm!
Don’t worry, though, because the best way to stay comfortable while studying is by bringing layers. Wear a comfy t-shirt underneath your favorite collegiate sweatshirt so you can easily change. If the forecast is hitting lows, you can throw on a warm jacket or even an extra sweatshirt or blanket in your backpack!
Layers are also great if you know you’ll be stopping by the Aquatic and Fitness Center or one of our other recreational facilities. While it may be cold outside, the gyms can get hot, so you may want to wear sweatpants over your shorts while walking from your dorm to the gym.
Lastly, a final plug for layers is that Charlottesville is known to be chilly in the mornings, sunny and warm during midday, and then cool right back down again in the evening. Sometimes, you might have a busy day and not return to your dorm or apartment, so those layers will come in handy throughout the day!
Wear fun layers that show your pride for your favorite organizations on-grounds! I’m involved in Chi Omega, The University Guide Service, and Club Running and love my gear!
Ugly Sweater
In addition to more practical or stylish sweaters, you’re going to want to have an ugly holiday sweater. Many people have ugly sweater themed events and parties around this time. If you find yourself lacking this essential accessory, it’s easy to find one for cheap at one of Charlottesville’s many local thrift stores!
The inside of one of my favorite vintage thrift stores on the Charlottesville Downtown Mall!
Hours before I had a holiday party to go to, my roommate was going to Target and so she picked up this ugly sweater for me!
