CLOTHES:

The climate in Tallahassee is like Delhi or Pune. It's really cold in winter (no Snow) when temperatures fall as low as 3 degrees Celsius and pretty hot in summer when temperatures reach 35 and above degrees Celsius. Spring term is mid winter (beginning of the end of winter actually), summer term is of course, the middle of summer and fall is the end of summer and beginning of winter time. I haven't mentioned monsoon anywhere?? Well, it rains anytime it feels like, be it the middle of fall, spring or summer. So be ready for rain all through the year.

Dressing here is casual. Many students wear shorts and Tees in summer with flip-flops or sneakers. Get some shades too, not only will you look cool but these will actually protect your eyes from the glaring sun (yes it does get extremely sunny here). Cotton clothes/ shirts in general are pretty expensive. Get them from India.
In winters it is prudent to wear clothes that cover your entire body. Jeans and a good sweater or jacket to start off with would be a good idea. Get something to cover your ears, maybe a monkey cap, coz when the cold wind blows, it can wreck your ears. Jeans are comparably priced here. I got a good pair from Target for 12 bucks. Here's more on each of the clothing items.

T-shirts - u can get decent ones here for about 8-10 dollars each. I would prefer to get them all from India. It sucks when I pick a t-shirt here and it reads "made in India" :-)

Shoes - get one pair of good sneakers and a pair of formal leather shoes (leather shoes are not absolutely necessary.). Also, get a pair of chappals or flip-flops or slippers to wear around the house.

Suit – you'll need a suit only when you appear for interviews and stuff. You get good ones here for about $70-200. So it's up to u mate.

Undergarments - Most students stay in apartments with common washing rooms. So you have to spend at least around 2 bucks on an average to wash your stuff in a washer/dryer. So washing clothes on a daily basis is not quite possible. The practice here is to do the laundry once in 2 weeks. So please get sufficient no. of undergarments (at least a dozen)

Traditional clothing - there will be quite a few occasions - events organized by INSAT and other cultural events - where you would like to dress in traditional clothes. Girls should bring saris and formal salwaar kameez sets. Guys should bring kurta pajama, sherwani, and short kurtas.

Spectacles - cost around $160 each pair. So please get like 3 pairs. The same goes for contact lenses. However you don't need to bring too much contact lens solution as it is easily available here and is very reasonably priced.

Winter clothing
DO NOT buy thermals (also called long johns / inners). All apartments/ schools/Shops/ buses etc are centrally heated to maintain room temp. Thermals are available here at very reasonable prices.

Shops:

Ross Dress for Less
Target Superstore
Wal-Mart

Contributing Author Ankita Srivastav