I must give credit where’s it’s due. Each year there is a greater selection of fab looking and affordable puffer coats, and my clients have had no trouble finding styles that make them feel sharp and toasty. Stylistic preferences will differ, but for me it’s essential that my puffer have easy access side entry pockets, a double-zipper and snap closures, an oversized collar for extra neck warmth AND cover my knees. I don’t need a hood because I can wear a hat and scarf, but welcome a hood if it’s part of the style. 

These are my top picks this season (be sure to click through all the colour options). Here’s a guide on how to fit a puffer coat if you need a refresher.

1. Kenneth Cole Reaction Faux Fur Hood Chevron Down Puffer Coat: The diagonal chevron pattern is  extra flattering and the fit is pretty roomy all over. 
2. London Fog Contour Seamed Hooded Faux Fur Trim Down Puffer Coat (Plus): If you prefer a shorter puffer, this one is superb. The vertical seam detailing running down the front and the back of the coat is very streamlining. 
3. Patagonia Downtown Loft Hooded Coat: An amazing coat with an interesting puffer pattern. Impeccable quality, great length for taller gals, and very warm. Love it! 
4. Laundry by Shelli Segal Quilted Coat with Faux Fur Trim: Laundry offers wonderful puffers each year and this one represents her signature look. It’s patch pockets and belt make it a little fussier, but it’s a great puffer all the same. Another good length for taller gals. 
5. Sachi Fox Fur Trim Hooded Down Coat: Just all round flattering. Huge side entry pockets! It’s also available in petites and in taupe. 
6. Soia & Kyo Puffed Collar Coat: I have a style very similar to this that’s a few seasons old and I can’t rave enough about it. It’s beautifully made, extremely warm, and just that bit dressier than most puffer coats. I wear it over multiple layers including leather jackets.Two warnings: the brand runs small and the hectically oversized collar is best on long necks and gals who have short hair or tie up their hair. You might feel claustrophobic if you don’t have enough neck for this type of collar.
7. DKNY Pillow Collar Quilted Coat: This coat also has a high and oversized collar, but the quilted part stands away from the neck. Again, it’s a little challenging with long hair, but you could tuck it away like the model has done in the photo. 
8. Bebe Quilted Sateen Coat with Detachable Hood: The gold hardware is great for Team Gold. A sweet coat that runs small, but looks particularly good on petites. 
9. Calvin Klein Down Jacket: If cropped sporty puffers are your thing, try this one. It has a good fit and doesn’t feel too bulky. 
10. 1 Madison Quilted Coat with Fox Fur Trim (Plus): Fabulous! And in such a rich brown. 
11. Betsey Johnson Quilted Down Parka with Faux Fur Trim: One of our forum members recently bought this in white and it looks fantastic. Check out the back ruffle detail. 
12. Kristen Blake Quilted Down Coat (Plus): Another great flattering shape. I love the way the collar opens up and lies flat, and the silver colourway is a nice departure from all the black. 
13. State & Lake Mercy Jacket with Fur Trim: Clean and crisp with a good size hood.
14. Cole Haan Belted Puffer Coat: This one’s more glitzy and chic. If you like pillow collars, give this one a go. It lies a little flatter and is less overwhelming. 
15. Lands End Women’s Regular Essential Down Coat: Lands’ End makes fantastic puffer coats. They are basic and more casual-looking, but for the price, colour options and quality they can’t be beat. This style does not have snap closures, which would be a deal breaker for me, but might work for you. 
16. Lands End Women’s Regular Shimmer Down Coat: My favourite Lands’ End puffer coat. Read the raving reviews. They run large, so if you wear a very small size, you might find that their smallest size is still too big. 
17. Eddie Bauer Essential Down Parka: Eddie Bauer also makes great puffer coats. This style is ideal for those who want a hood sans the fur trim. Like Lands’ End, their styles run large and you could be sized out if you wear a very small size. 
18. Eddie Bauer Sun Valley Down Parka: This style has more pocket detailing than the Essential Down Parka, and an optional faux fur trim on the hood. It doesn’t have snap closures, but it’s still a super puffer coat . 
19. Eddie Bauer Lodge Down Parka: This is my favourite Eddie Bauer puffer jacket because the puffy squares are smaller, which somehow makes the coat look prettier to my eye. 
20. Hilary Radley Studio Pillow Collar Braid Trim Puffer Coat: The braid trim and toggle buttons make this puffer coat a little different to the rest. Sweet!

There are many more good looking and affordable puffer coats available at brick and mortar Macy’s stores with a 40% discount, which are not available online. Searle also makes excellent puffer coats, but they cost a pretty penny. Please feel free to add to this list if you’ve scored a great puffer coat. 

Puffer coats aren’t everyone’s cup of tea, but I’m a huge fan for two reasons. One, a down puffer coat is the best way to stay adequately warm when temperatures fall below freezing. In that type of cold, I just don’t find wool and thinsulate as warm no matter how much I bundle up with the right layers. Two, to my eye puffer coats can look stylish if you choose a flattering style. Granted, a wool coat will always look more chic, dressy and streamlined. But a fabulous puffer coat has it’s place. 

Do you wear a puffer coat, and do you think that they can look stylish? Or are you on team NEVER wear a puffer coat because you’ll look like the Michelin Man no matter what.