What to pack for clothes for Jan/Feb
 

Hi Villagers: I'm renting in the Villages starting this week until the end of February. I know there can be cold weather. How about hot weather? Should I bring sweatshirts. I don't think I need New England sweaters but perhaps a coat and hat? Jeans? Shorts? Light dresses, short sleeves? Bathing suit would be good, I hope. I would be greatly appreciate any input.

It is currently 63 degrees, tomorrow they say it will be 70. Chilly at night. The 10 day forecast is similar with the warmest day now being forecast at 75.
So, it all depends on where you are coming from & what you are used to. Also, what activities & when you plan on doing them.

Think layers. We can have spring, summer and fall all in the same day.

I wear shorts, T-shirts, and sandals all year long. I add a jacket when it is cold.

"Hawaiian" shirt, shorts and a parka.

January can be cold but you can have 80 degree days as well. Full time Florida residents will be in full snowsuits to keep warm but coming from New England shorts and t-shirts work for me with a sweatshirt at night on the golf cart. If it is in the 30’s we stay in.

We moved here 14 yrs ago...that year they said it was record low temps. I pretty much only brought summer-like clothing and froze. I would say--pack your summer things but also some more winter-type things too. Winters in FL aren't necessarily warm. When the humidity leaves and if there's a breeze or wind and temps even in the 70's it can feel much cooler. ALL this can fluctuate just like weather up north. Come down and enjoy your time here.

The problem is that, if you dress for cold weather in the morning, you will be hot in the afternoon sun. I remember living in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. In the winter, it could be 30 degrees at 7 am, but 100 degrees by noon.

the only shorts I own are exercise shorts ,for everything else I wear jeans with shoes or short boots or slacks even in summer , including when I lived in Miami Beach or traveling to Asia or Hawaii

For two months, January & February:

2 pairs of jeans
1 pair of sweatpants
2 pairs shorts
1 bathingsuit
1 beach cover-up
5 tee-shirts or similar - polo-style shirts if tee-shirts aren't your jam
2 long-sleeve shirts that aren't sweaters
1 sweatshirt
1 button-down or "open-front" sweater
1 hoodie
2 sleeveless blouses
1 "semi-nice" outfit in case you want to play dressup - this is optional, The Villages is 100% casual dress except golf, which requires collared shirts.
1 pair open-toe sandals (flats, flip-flops or Birkenstocks or Tevas or whatever)
1 pair walking shoes/sneakers
1 pair "nicer" low-heeled shoes for that one time in two months you want to play dressup.
however much underwear, bras, socks floats your boat.

I have 12 pairs of khaki shorts, 2 pairs of sandals, 50 T-shirts, and 50 pairs of underwear (no bras). I can go a long time without doing laundry.

great list!
consider increasing the quantities of cool weather clothing, for 40-60 degree weather.

Hi! Thank you for our reply. I'm coming from Mass., and I want to play pickleball and swim perhaps.

i can go longer .... i dont need no stinking underwear. lol :ohdear::ohdear::ohdear:

Wow!! Thanks so much!!! My suitcase just got a little lighter!!

I end up needing 2 sets of socks, underwear, shirts per day when I exercise twice a day (there's lots to do!!), therefore 14 of each. But that's because I like to only do laundry once a week. For pickleball, I layer when it's cold: shorts and t-shirt under long sweat pants, and a light long sleeve zip-up jersey. If it's very cold early in the morning I also have a wind breaker on top, tuque and gloves. It usually always warms up enough to shed it all to the bottom layer, so have a bag ready to put all the layers into. Try not to forget them at the courts! If you do, you may find them at the lost and found of the rec centre closest to the courts.

If you go to the square at night, some people like to dress up, and many are casual. Your choice. The restaurants also can either be casual or dressy, as you choose. Most people stay casual I find. Enjoy your time here!

I'm from Connecticut, it was 29 degrees when I took my dog out this morning. When I get to my house in the Villages, I'll be running around in tank tops, shorts & sandals :laugh: You'll need a beach towel or two, swimsuits, sandals, sneakers, socks, shorts, tops, a coverup of some sort for when it is cool when you go to the squares for the music, that's about it & if you dance, then that probably won't be needed either. On the other hand, you'll need the full regalia at Logan, so anything you use there will take care of the minor chill in The Villages.

Have a great time!

We are currently experiencing a strong EL Nino. This weather pattern brings colder than normal temperatures to the South. Bring light clothes suitable for Florida. But, make room for gloves, a hat, and a jacket. It could get COLD for awhile. But, as everyone stated, it warms quickly into 70 degree weather.

Nah. God invented laundry machines for a reason. Embrace it. It's good religion.

layers are a good thing.

Beat you on T shirts but on the rest you win. Actually we are tied in the sandal dept but at times I have been known to own 3-4 pair

Besides the usual shorts and t shirts, add a pair of sweat pants, a sweatshirt, and a warm pair of sox to wear inside your crocs for the unusual/occasional cool stretch. Other than that, your all good : )

It can get down to mid or upper 20s at night. Last year in January for down to 24 to 27 3 nights in row. With humidity in Florida it seems colder, even on 50 degree days.

You won’t be running around for long with humidity on cool days.

All of the above. We get a variety of weather this time of year.

The pools are always heated ro 83, so I go to exercise classes even when temps are in the upper 60s. The water is fine, but the part of you that is sticking up in the air is freezing. I have nylon shirts I wear in the pool to break the air.
What do you wear to sleep in? I’ve given up on nightwear and prefer yoga wear or comfy knits.
Don’t overpack.Be sure and forget a few things., you”ll want to go shopping at Anthony’s -and BEALLS Outlet.
Glad you are coming for 2 months. It takes at least that long to try out 5-6 different areas in TV and see what suits your vibe. There is no place in the world that can compare

Yep, layers work well. We can have 20 to 30 degree swings in one day. The more years you live in FL the "thinner" your blood gets. I'll walk my dogs with gloves on in the AM and be in shorts by afternoon sometimes. Enjoy your stay!

Winter here is brutal. Dress accordingly.

Thanks so much. I was wondering about the pickleball clothes!

Thanks for your input.! I already love it there but when we did our LSV in November in the South, my hubby didn't like it as much as I did. I did not like the Southern area either. Hopefully this trip will change his mind, though he isn't coming for the entire two months. He prefers the cold house watching Netflix. ugh, lol.

Yes, when I came our LSV in November, I knew my clothes from Logan would add to my wardrobe. Thank you for your help!!

We’re from Western MA and the Cape! You’ll love The Villages!

Try googling 30 day weather temp for The Villages - will give you an idea.

Something Changed??
 

I know this is an El Ninio year but I thought I was a tough Canadian girl (Winnipeg=Fargo) and last night for New Year's at the square I wore UGG boots, Gloves, cotton scarf light weight winter down jacket. I was comfy cozy. Especially driving home in the golf cart. I don't love putting down the enclosure. We tend to keep the driver side open as I feel a bit clostophobic. It's cold now but it will warm up and February will be shorts/tank weather. Layers layers layers!!

Hoodie, tee, boxers, long pants, socks & shoes when going out in the cold during winter months is all I need. Of course in the home you can just wear shorts and a tee since you'd have the heater on anywhere around 72-78 degrees.

Don’t forget a lite blanket to keep in the golf cart basket, put over your legs for the ride home in the evening.

Very bad idea, blanket could get caught in tire and pull the passenger out of the cart. Never have anything loose fitting in open moving vehicle. That goes for dog leashes also.

Over the last eight years we have found January and February can be quite chilly. Definitely bring some warmer clothes. If you are coming from a cold climate it might not seem so chilly to you, but I'd be prepared. The sun will be shining tho.
Enjoy.

Considering this post is from RetiredGuy123 the "no bras" seems perfectly appropriate!

Hi Pam, I am from Mass too. You’ll be happy in shorts, sweatshirt, lightweight jacket most of the time. Pools are heated to 80/82 degrees, and I swim a few mornings a week even when it’s 50 degrees. You will have one set of cold weather gear for traveling from and to Mass, so that will be enough.lots of places to play Pickleball.