After considering all the entries to last month’s competition, Rob and team chose punkgurl as their favorite example of stylish cycling, and winner of a brand new PUBLIC bike. They particularly enjoyed seeing her variety of comfortable bike-riding styles with both boots and heels. Her photos showed great outfit details and in-motion riding shots (chicken chasing included!). 

Queen Mum won the second prize, a signed copy of the book “A Girls Bike”. 

Congratulations, punkgurl and Queen Mum! Hope that you enjoy your prizes.

By the way, we couldn’t help but notice that PUBLIC has introduced 5 new colors in time for Christmas.

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.

This one’s for Team Bag and Team Polka Dot. For $40 this cute little cross body adds an element of fun to just about any outfit. I can see it adding a playful twist to a formal suit, a strict sheath dress, or a classic button down shirt. Or just wear it casually with jeans, leggings or a sweater dress. Mix patterns by wearing it with stripes, checks, argyles, florals or animal prints. 

It’s lightweight nature makes it ideal for traveling, while it’s hand free option is great for gals on the go. It’s vegan-friendly, a pretty good size for a cross body bag, and a fun gift for a friend or family member.

Some ladies feel restricted with their choice of clothing and accessory style because of their curly hair. For example, they are uncomfortable wearing certain patterns, textures, silhouettes, colours and accessories even though they would like to, because bolder outfit combinations clash with their curls. These lovely curly haired lasses are more comfortable wearing solids, neutrals, muted tones, subtle textures and dainty jewelry so that their curls can live in harmony with the rest of the outfit. 

I’ve never had curly hair, so I didn’t know that curly haired ladies could feel this way until I became a fashion stylist. I found it very interesting that some of my curly haired clients wouldn’t wear patterns with round shapes and design details like ruffles, polka dots, paisley, hoop earrings and flowers because, to their eye, those details competed with the curls. Others felt that their curls clashed with stripes, plaids and argyle. And others preferred to wear solid neutrals or very muted tones because their “wild hair” already attracted enough attention. 

On the other hand, I do have clients with extremely curly hair that wear it all. Bold patterns, brights, high contrasting colours, faux fur, ruffles, swirly patterns, ornate fabrications, and all sorts of statement necklaces and earrings feel completely right to them. 

I don’t think that you should feel restricted in your clothing and accessory choices when you have curly hair. To my eye, curly hair, no matter how extreme, works with everything. Yet, I also understand why some curly haired gals gravitate towards simple and solid neutral clothing. It has a calming affect that tames their hair, which makes them feel stylish and pulled together. 

At the end of the day how you dress your curls is a personal stylistic preference. There is no right or wrong. Curly haired ladies, do you ever feel restricted in your clothing and accessory choices because of your curls? Do some styles clash with your hair? Straight haired ladies, do you feel that curly hair can clash with certain colours, patterns, textures and styles of clothing and accessories?