Or, what I wore to look like Santa.... :;

This is my last purchase of the year and I thought I would review it on the off chance that anyone is in the market. Earlier this year Angie mentioned that the Athleta puffers were looking good. When this one went on sale for half price and I also had some rewards $$, I decided to pounce -- and get it at approximately 1/3 original price.

It's the Downtown puffer. And I really like it! For me, the colour was one of the main draws. (A white coat is really practical for me because I walk in a dark suburb in the night throughout the winter.)

Features that add to its appeal:

• Removable hood.
• DWR coating (which works -- I was out in the rain all afternoon and did not get wet.)
• Pockets lined in flannel.
• Deep side slash pockets.
• Inner pocket for phone.
• Two way zipper; zipper does not catch.
• Zippers on the sides to open it further for movement.
• Cuffs.
• Knee length (good walking length).
• Washable.

It is only 550 fill down, so lighter weight than some, but it feels quite warm without being heavy and some reviewers in Minnesota said they thought it would work for their winters.

It's a bit fitted through the waist, so not entirely in line with the trend for looser, sack like puffers -- but the side slits make for ease of movement. I suppose I could have sized up for a looser fit but it would have been too big in the shoulders and too long in the arms, so I went with my usual size.

It comes (or came) in white, a lovely dark green, black and a bright tomato red. Might be sold out now, but might also show up in stores via returns.

Happy holidays, all!

PS...while I did get a comment or two about looking like Santa while wearing this, what I got most often was compliments on my pants -- thus proving our earlier point about red standing out more against a contrasting colour than it does in an all-red outfit!