What to Wear
What to wear: layers are the key
Someone will probably tell you, "If you don't like the weather, wait five minutes."
The weather can vary throughout the day, and often is much cooler in the early morning and later in the evening no matter the season.
That's why layers are a good idea summer and winter. That even includes layers of sunscreen and insect repellent.
Light jackets and sweaters, and or a wind breaker, are great items for spring, summer and fall.
Winters means more layering and appropriate outer wear—coat, boots, scarf, mittens/gloves. It may also mean thermal underwear on the coldest of days.
Campus is casual
Campus style is casual - jeans and hoodies are one of the usual combinations.
Specific classes may have specific times where you wear business dress. When you're doing labs, there are specific requirements whether it's the biology lab indoors or an environmental sciences lab outdoors.
There are also special events where you would wear formal clothing such as the Winter Gala.
Dressing for winter
Note: All the photos are provided as examples. You don't need to purchase items that look exactly like these samples.
| Your hands |
| You need to keep you fingers from freezing. Light leather gloves aren't enough on a day when temperatures are below zero.
Mittens are one option. Wool or insulated are best. If you have field labs the combination of mittens and gloves can be helpful. You can slip off the top if you need to have better finger control. Insulated gloves are another option, but insulated mittens are warmer. From left to right below: wool mittens, combination glove/mittens, insulated gloves and insulated mittens.
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| Your head |
 
While some people wear headbands and ear muffs, covering your complete head is especially important when the temperatures dip. Toques (Canadian word for a close-fitting knitted hat) are one option. Some people opt for a variety of hats that include ear flaps. |
| Your neck |
  Scarves and neck warmers are another layer of protection. |
| Underwear |
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Thermal underwear is a great layer, especially when there's a wind chill. Long johns protect your legs. Woman might also use tights. Long underwear shirts are another base layer of protection. Thermal underwear is available in most clothing stores as well as athletic stores with clothing and gear for skiing, snowshoeing and other winter activities.
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| Jackets, coats and pants |
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| Footwear |
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Don't forget your feet. It's not pleasant to freeze your toes. Lined boots are a must. Taller boots will protect you if the snow is deep.
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A winter coat is a necessity.
Safety or personal protective wear
If you take an agricultural science, energy or environmental science program, you will need either one or both of protective footwear and clothing.
All three programs require steel-toed boots.
If you are in a laboratory, you'll need a white coat and safety glasses.
In some field labs you might need to wear coveralls.
Some equipment is available at the college. Other things, like your boots, you must buy.
You'll be given supply lists during the summer. We suggest you wait to buy larger and heavier items in Canada.