It varies! Some winters I don't touch my long puffy.

I would also get a variety of things that she can layer.

I have fiber filled that are fine.

Is that one water proof?

ETA when my two were students, they did not own a long puffy.

What does your DD think about it? It might be too bulky going to and fro and in and out of buildings,

DD graduated from a NYC university and her favorite coat for miserable, cold, sloshy weather was an insulated trench from Eddie Bauer. It also doubles as a regular trench coat.

https://www.eddiebauer.com/p/20612671/waterproof-jackets-for-women?color=Black&sp=1&size=XL&sizeType=Regular

The removable insulating liner buttons inside the coat and down the sleeves. The hood can be removed too. It's waterproof, windproof and has sealed seams. She liked it so much that I bought one for myself and it's become my daily winter coat. I prefer it over my LLBean down coat.

https://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/42359?page=ultrawarm-coat-long&bc=514963&feat=514963-GN1&csp=a&pos=31

DD also had a mid-calf down puffer coat and after her freshman year left it at home. It was too bulky and down works best when you layer underneath it which she deemed too much work. NYC's weather is fairly similar to ours in the Philadelphia area. She did complain about how messy the streets were in the winter - snow, slush, dirt - and for the most part you couldn't avoid walking in it. Luckily her college had several underground passages that connected some of the buildings on campus.

Everyone I know raves about Canada Goose down coats. Probably the warmest coat out there but the price tag might require a second mortgage . You might want to check out Ororo which makes heated jackets and vests i can vouch for how amazing they are!

NYC has occasional very cold snaps, but in general the winters aren't bad enough to require an ultra-warm down coat. The Eddie Bauer coat that maire_cate posted is ideal. And good boots are just as important.

Also, a coat with baffles for down will most likely not be waterproof unless specifically stated. They leak at the seams

adding that as a Californian, when I go to NY, its either with a lined trench, lightweight trench or long wool coat. Rain is more of an issue than cold and I find wool more comfortable for cold if its not raining. i always take a little something i case it rains

Check out New Yorkers on the street in the winter - seems like everybody wears a puffer coat.

Down coats can pack down pretty small too. I have a short jacket that can fold up to fit in a small pouch. Actually, wearing it under another jacket is the most warm, I've found.

Footwear is a consideration as well. My sister in the Bronx always seems to be on the hunt for leakproof winter boots.

Everyone experiences cold and hot weather differently. When you've lived in it for awhile, you become more acclimated, IMPE, and some people just seem to feel the cold more than others.

This does seem a bit early to be thinking about that though. It won't be cold in NYC for many months.

You are very thoughtful to think ahead for a coat in this heat! But I advise letting her buy her own coat.

Personal style changes a LOT in college. Also, NYC is a very stylish city. Speaking from personal experience, no matter how fashionable your outfit in another city, it can turn instantly frumpy when you set out on the street here.

I live in Colorado. I wear the lightweight super warm Northface thermoball parka all winter. When it is really cold I might add a thin wool tee under my shirt. I checked for links and they may have a supply issue, I don't see many in stock.

www.6pm.com/p/the-north-face-thermoball-eco-parka-tnf-medium-grey-heather/product/9233706/color/596128

The Patagonia nano puff is very similar.

https://www.rei.com/product/153927/patagonia-nano-puff-insulated-parka-womens

Am in Chicago, I have the NorthFace thermoball and Patagonia nanopuff @deegw posted above, and love them. Surprisingly warm, lightweight, not bulky, easy to layer under if subzero temps, easy to machine wash, have lasted several years, and still look good. Highly recommend.

As a life-long New Yorker the long down coat is lovely but not a good fit for NYC. It only snows occassionally, but rains year round. A long coat would drag all over the floor in every classroom or lab. Labs have small lockers and in classrooms most just drape their coat over the back of the chair.

I think the average winter temp is around 40 degrees. Just like the heat wave we are currently suffering. The coldest days of 20's only last a few days. The climate has warmed considerable in the last 30 years.

Unlike other places, she will have the warm subway to wisk her from place to place. Fashion at the university level in NYC can go from chic to wild and everything in between. She will need gloves and either a hood for the rain and cold or a warm hat. Boots are a must. A short waterproof boot and a treaded boot for the few snow days that may or may not occur. We had no snow last year and the year before a huge storm in early November, then nothing after that.

The maxi length can be restrictive when walking. I prefer a shorter lenth similiar to the Northface. I live in Pennsylvania and walk daily into the teen digits. The parts of me that get cold are hands and head, never my body.

My girls are 18 and 19 and, FWIW, they are big fans of Hunter. Their boots and outerwear. The boots come in such fun colors too.

One of them has this:

https://www.hunterboots.com/us/en_us/womens-coats/womens-original-waterproof-cotton-hunting-coat/green/2896

I agree maxi is restrictive but something to cover the thighs (car length like many of the coats posted above) comes in handy on frigid blowing days.

I'm in NJ and despise cold weather. I love puffy coats, especially long ones for the winter. I am petite and don't think they are unflattering. Some are belted and most are fitted to make them less bulky. The Canadian designers make the warmest ones IME. Look at Rudsak and Canada Goose. I have both and have sat outside for 4-5 hours in 30 and below temperature and stayed toasty warm.

Lots of great info from all of you! I will share with her. Really appreciate the ideas!!

My daughter lives in nyc and prefers wool coats with a great big wool scarf for the colder months. Also, she wears layers.