I just bought a beautiful black puffer coat from Lands End if anyone is looking for one. It’s called Angel Down so it’s very lightweight but warm and has all the things you are mentioning. Right length, fur trimmed hood and even double zippers to keep you warm. Just thought I’d pass it on.

Love that one up there from Jessica Simpson. Wish I had one right now!!

Thank you for this clear concise guide as to what to look for in a puffer coat. This may be the year to retire my old long down-lined trench when the coats go on clearance. There are winters that it never comes out because it doesn’t get that cold, so has been worn only sporatically. This winter I’m wearing it so much that I would like something more flattering.

Thank you very much for this article Angie, it is very helpful. I love puffer ( and live where they are really needed) but have only two: a cropped black one and middle length grey one. I was really hoping to get one more this year but have had no luck

I am looking for a knee length very fitted one, preferably with fake-fur trimmed removable hood (although I could live without the hood if everything else is great) in colors such as cream or black or purple/wine. Unfortunately places like Lands End and Eddie Bauer cut their clothing too big for me, even their XS is huge on me.

I bought a North Face long puffer with a hood and so far it seems to be the warmest coat I have ever owned. It has nice lines and a two way zipper plus snaps. I love it!

I’ve got a shorter lavender one that I wear all the time for errands. I love the look of the belted ones – maybe time to treat myself to a christmas gift!

Good to know, Ronni and thanks for sharing the info.

Meredith, the coat you like is sitting under our Xmas tree (for me).

Joy and Carrie try and snap one up for a song after Christmas.

Tanya, I hear you. I have had the hardest time finding a puffer that’s cut small enough with fake fur as well. I can vouch for the Jessica Simpson style and I know it will fit your small frame. They have it in plum which you should consider getting. It’s very warm.

I have a great red Eddie Bauer Slope Side puffer coat with a double zipper that on me hits just above the knee. However there are winter days in our central Canadian climate when a long puffer coat may not look as fab, but is pretty much an essential — so it is on my list of things to look for in post-Christmas sales.

Thank you very much for the recommendation Angie, it is very pretty, but I think that the JS one is too short – it looks to be about the same length as my grey one. I am looking for a true knee-length one.

I love my new knee length down puffer. It has a huge, fur trimmed hood that blocks out all wind. I also bought a red short puffer from NYandCo several years ago. It sheds feathers a bit now and the zipper has broken, but I love it so much that I’m considering taking it in for zipper replacement.

Tanya, there was a knee length version of the Jessica Simpson coat at Macy’s that I kept pushing on the forum in hopes someone would buy it. It came in different colors. I would have tried it but I already have a puffer, albeit not as stylish.

I got my puffer at the Rack for a trip to the East Coast, and I am so glad I did: it’s been getting a ton of wear since last week.

Got it ,Tanya.

Marianne, remind me which JS puffer you’re referring to. Chances are high I’ve tried it on or had it on someone else and can therefore feedback on it:
http://www1.macys.com/catalog/.....sn_results

Also, the reason Jessica Simpson makes WONDERFUL products is because BCBG designs and produces her range. Enough said! As I’m sure you can imagine, I’m not desperate to wear her brand but I’ll give credit where it’s due. Her footwear and coats are generally fantastic.

Yes, Angie, that is the one from Macy’s. I guess it’s not full knee length. I haven’t seen it in real life so I can’t comment on that, but I like the style.

great tips, Angie! I have a black knee length one from Land’s End that I can’t be without in the winters here and especially for walking my dog (that and a warm hat)!

I have a Lands End style from last year (bought on sale in August) that is not bulky but really warm. I am eyeing that longer angel one Ronni got; they have some stylin colors (for Lands End, that is). Also, Lands End had petites, which for me is essential to get that tailored look Angie mentions.

I had a long down “commuter” coat from LE, several years old. It is a bit big. I put it on on a cold day and looked like a sausage. It has been donated. ; )

Looks like the unusually warm winters we have been having here in the midwest the past five or so years are done with. Brrr!

I’m glad I saw this before going through with the Guess jacket. Lovely as it is, it is of the polyester variety. Down is on my bad list though, so I’m not going in that direction either. I guess I’ll stick with what I know.

I know it sounds stupid, but I find it hard to buy a JS product even though her shoes are amazing. There is a pair of JS boots out right now that I love, but if someone were to ask me who made them I don’t think I could admit to it. I wonder why she doesn’t wear her own brand. It would be several steps above what she usually wears!

Looks like Lands End has the puffer coat business. I’m glad you ladies got sorted. Their coat sizes unfortunately did not work for me.

I’m also pleasantly surprised that there is general support for the puffer coat. Warmth and practical issues aside, I wholeheartedly believe that the right puffer can look fantastic. Completely fashionable!

Marianne, that’s precisely my coat a little longer. You and I have the same taste.

Thanks for the post, Angie. I’m all set on puffers, I think. But as a tip, they had the Kenneth Cole version you posted at costco. They had additional colors, too. It think they had it in black, brown, and cream. I can’t remember the price, but I remember it being GOOD!

Angie,
I like the knee length JS puffer but the berry color on Macy’s website and berry color on the shorter version on Nordstrom website are vastly different.
Have you seen it in person? if so, can you describe the color?

I tried on that Gap long puffer coat that you have displayed and it looked terrible. Not fitted in the slightest. There’s a reason they’re displaying it unbuttoned.

Lisa’s post reminded me that a two-way zipper plus snaps (or buttons) is what I’m looking for. I find the snap option very handy to hold the coat closed without always having to do up the zipper, especially on a longer length. Lands End coats are now too big for me too.

Brilliant tips, Angie. Especially the point about the two-way zip: Mine keeps me from getting weird bulges in my long down coat when I sit down!

Marianne and Angie, I LOVE the longer version of JS coat. I’ll look for it in my local Macy’s as soon as I’m back. Has either of you seen the colors “berry” and “champagne” in the reality? Is the first one a true purple and the second one a true cream? it might just be long enough, since the model is hopefully very tall.
I am hopefull.

Good point about the snaps and zip, Joy. Two of my puffers have that feature and I use the snaps instead of the zipper all the time.

Dee and Tanya, I haven’t seen the berry colour in the puffer that I bought at Nordies, nor in the Macys version. Actually, the two JS styles are different so I would expect their colours to be different too. I say give it a bash and keep us posted.

Thanks for your info, missjulied and Alecia.

Maya, when you’re desperate, you look past the actual brand of a style, especially when the product is excellent. None of the branding is actually visible either which makes a HUGE difference.

Thanks for this post! A puffer is at the top of my list for after-Christmas shopping. I saw some at Costco that I think meet all of these requirements so I’ll be checking those out after Boxing Day. Fingers crossed! Angie, for those of us who are not very slim/delicately built, is cream a colour we should avoid? I love the look of cream puffers but am not sure if I can wear that colour with my build and weight.

BLB, I see no reason why you can’t wear a cream puffer coat if everything about the cut and style is flattering. You certainly get my thumbs up! Good luck finding one and keep us posted

[...] did pretty well this year. I finally unwrapped my new puffer coat. It’s gorgeous and will be put to good use over the next few months. I was also thrilled to [...]