Cream puff! Puffers K/R - YouLookFab Forum

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Cream puff! Puffers K/R

goldenpig

(website)

Veteran

I know you guys think I'm a wimp for wanting a puffer jacket here in the Bay Area since it doesn't snow here, but I get cold very easily (grew up in Arizona and am used to the heat). I have an olive colored cotton and faux shearling parka from Anthro which I've been wearing a lot now that it's getting colder, but it's a little casual looking so I wanted something a bit dressier (parka-wise, I'm still looking for the perfect dressy wool coat as well). Anyways, I found two puffers, one in cream and one in brown. Which one do you like better on me and should I keep one or both? Actually I really love the fun details on the cream puffer, so the real question is should I return the brown one or keep both for some variety? They were both on sale and about the same price.

1-8. Betsey Johnson Quilted Down Parka with Faux Fur Trim in Ivory. I love this parka--it feels so "me"! I like how it is nipped in at the waist so it's not so boxy. And lots of ruffles around the pockets, collar and back. It has a thumbhole in the sleeve. A soft faux fur-trimmed hood. And the best part, a leopard print lining! It's like secretly getting my leopard print coat but without offending DH! What do you think of it?
http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/be.....ltback=836
9-11. Land's End Luxe Down Coat in Spice Brown. I got this on one of the recent deals so it ended up costing less than the Betsey Johnson. It has a belt to define the waist, and also has a faux fur hood. It goes well with my chocolate brown Galaxy boots. Here's a picture of it over an outfit. Is this worth keeping or is it too redundant if I have a cream puffer?
http://www.landsend.com/pp/Lux.....34_59.html

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34 replies

Latest reply was from goldenpig

Fruitful

Veteran

Hi Natalie! The cream one is super cute and I love that fluffy hood! The lining is a great way to get a little fix of leopard print.

I'm floored by how gorgeous the brown one is on you. But this could be because you have interesting legwear on in the pictures. I like the belt and there's a richness to the colour that seems to harmonise with your wardrobe.

Maybe keep both?

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I will admit right up front that I have a *slight* anti-puffer bias, so take this question as a devil's advocate kind of thing: If you're looking for a dressier option, is a puffer the right answer? They seem quite casual to me.

That said, I think that cream one is very cute. I like it a lot more on you than the dark one.

Sona

Veteran

I like the white one on you. It also seems very CA appropriate!

goldenpig

(website)

Veteran

Fruitful, yes, I realize the brown pics look better since they're with actual clothes unlike the cream ones (well, I guess now you know what my loungewear looks like ;-)). I kinda like how the brown one looks too, even though it's not as "fun" as the cream one.

Janet, I know some people think puffers look a little funny. I was wondering if I look like a giant marshmallow or Michelin man, or something worse with the brown one (can't help thinking that in my line of work, haha!). I've never had one before but they feel so warm which is so nice! I know they're not dressy compared to wool coats, so I edited my original post to clarify. Previously I only had a red Columbia snow parka but that isn't the sort of thing that you can wear over skirts and dresses. I feel like with the puffers, I can get away with wearing it over skirts (like in #11) and have worn my olive parka to work. I'm a total fan of the Joesph Altuzarra parka over dress look but I agree it's not everyone's cup of tea.

missvee

Veteran

I think I like the brown one on you best. I agree the details on the cream one are very interesting, but I don't think it's as good a fit as the brown. And the brown colour is dynamite on you.

Isis

Veteran

I like the brown better! But it sounds like you are in love with the white!

Personally, I would not keep both, am not in love with puffers, and like a more minimalist closet...Perhaps wait and see how you feel after a winter with the brown?

teri

Veteran

I just have to say that the outfit in #11 is is gorgeous!!!!

MsMary

Veteran

I love them both on you. But me personally, there is no way I would be able to keep a white coat clean enough to look presentable. YMMV, of course.

goldenpig

(website)

Veteran

Hmm, you're right, the I guess the brown one does make me look slimmer than the white. The white one is a little puffier and not as fitted. I wonder if it's the pants as well. Will have to see what it looks like over skinny jeans and report back!

MaryK, I was wondering about that too with two kids in tow...will check if it's washable or not!

modgrl

(website)

Veteran

I do not like the white one on you. You look too too puffy. It is the combination of the light color, puffier silhouette and ruffles. If you were going into the tundra and had no choice for technical gear, I would say go for it! But I think the brown one is much nicer on you.

Vildy

Veteran

I happen to love white but here's the thing I forgot about a white puffer (I bought them two years in a row and gave them away later both times) - it's not good to be the same color as the snow/snowbanks. It actually ends up dreary.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I much prefer the brown one on you, Natalie. But I enjoyed seeing the white one because I considered ordering it myself from Nordies!

Reasons I like the brown: colour, the fit is far better, you look more streamlined, it is a better length for dresses.

Who'd a thunk LE would make a more fashionable coat than Betsy Johnson? Just goes to prove the old YLF maxim, leave no retail stone unturned!

I also think for practicality with children and RAINY winter weather where you live, the brown is better.

goldenpig

(website)

Veteran

I just wore the brown one out to take out the trash and recycling (all the boxes from all these coats, haha), and I was glad to be very warm. It's so windy here right now--I think they said it's 60-70 miles per hour gusts!

OK after what you guys said and looking at the pics again, I agree the brown one looks better--tags are coming off that one! Now the cream is the keep or return. Wow! Complete flip flop! But you guys are very wise.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

KILLER cream puffer! You do not need both in SF. Return the brown.

Amy

(website)

Veteran

The brown one looks better to me and it won't show dirt as easily, so that's what I'd pick. I had a white coat once and it quickly became dingy looking--and I'm a fairly neat person. I don't roll around in the dirt a lot or climb into sooty chimneys.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Ha! With Angie weighing in I predict a dilemma!

Kappy

Veteran

Without looking, I love the cream one. It's hard to find a lady-like puffer and you did! The brown one looks blah compared to the cream one. Too basic. I also don't like the patch pockets on the front.

Makrame

Veteran

I think Suz is right, since Angie is for the white puffer, this is going to be a tough decision to make. Personally, I think both look just a tad bulky on you but I like the brown one better. I definitely wouldn't keep both - I live in Upstate New York but only have one puffer (well, not true, I have an older puffer that does make me look like a Michelin Man but that does not count, I only have one "good" puffer).

rae

(website)

Veteran

Aw, where'd my comment go? I'd voted for the white, too; I really prefer that color against your skin. I guess Angie and I are throwing a wrench into the machine, here.

goldenpig

(website)

Veteran

Aaaaahhhhh!!! My head is spinning!!!

I did check the tags on the cream one and it is machine washable and dryable with tennis balls. In fact it says "do not dry clean". I wonder why? But it says "remove hood before washing". So if you get the hood dirty you're out of luck? The brown one says remove trim and dry clean separately, machine wash and tumble dry low with tennis balls, and do not dry clean as well.

I think I'm going to have to consult my mommy board fashionista friend for some enabling. She's the one who recommended the brown one because she bought it herself. I think she said she now has both a cream and a brown puffer as well (although she lives in Chicago).

I'll try on the cream with some actual clothes when I get home and think about it some more.

catgirl

Veteran

Have you seen the lightweight Patagonia down coats? They are warm without the puffiness, and for your climate should be perfect. These are cute too, and I love the color of the second one on you. There are options, though! Here are two, but check the site:

http://www.patagonia.com/us/pr.....8205-0-512

http://www.patagonia.com/us/pr.....8350-0-751

Also, how do you do with light-colored outerwear? The cream is a great color, but I know it would be filthy within minutes on me. Then again, you are probably not a walking dirt magnet like I am!

Vildy

Veteran

Whether your coat is actually down or down and feathers or synthetic, it should wash fine. Real down, the dry cleaning fluid isn't good for it. Sometimes, especially with down that has some feathers mixed in (and they don't always admit that), brownish stains can come through if the covering is light. The reason they say not to wash the hood is that you practically need a degree in chemistry to launder fake fur successfully in the cases where they say not to. .

rae

(website)

Veteran

Yep, if you wash and dry fake fur, it turns into a matted mess.

Laurinda

Veteran

Keep in mind that I have a perspective from the tundra, but white coats can be a nightmare to maintain. Those ruffles are very cute but look like schmutz-magnets.

It is so hard to look sleek in anything puffy, you might want to search further for jackets or parkas that are 1) Windproof, 2) Fleece lined for cozyness, and 3) with just a thin layer of insulation.

Lori

Veteran

Another vote for the brown coat. The white is too puffy/marshmallow like to me. You look stunning in the browning with the outfit in #11.

Sylvie

Veteran

Wow, it's a pretty intense competition here. If you want another opinion (and I assure you mine is uneducated), I'm not fond of the frills and pockets on the white one. I feel they add bulk to what is by definition, already a very bulky coat.

As a person who is extremely biased towards tailoring, I saw a lot of stylish people in Montreal wearing beautiful puffers from Canada Goose and if I ever move to Canada, that's what I'd buy.

Anonymous

*Arggggggh* Oh sorry Natalie I just choked on the CROW I am eating. I made a comment the other day to you like, "*I* wouldn't wear a puffer unless I *had* to" and guess what? I went to the mall and they must have sprayed me with puffer dust. They all looked so cute and apres-ski like and I found myself wanting one too. Fast forward to today, where our high was 61F and it was cloudy all day and I am FREEZING and wanting to try your puffers on with you!!!

Enough about me! I love a white coat on someone with some color to their skin. LOVE. And the leopard lining is like all of the stars lining up for you! That said, the brown one looks totally awesome too! I know I am no help to you but they both look amazing on you.

goldenpig

(website)

Veteran

LOL Claire, we Arizonans are like gila monsters. We can brave the heat but have no ability to deal with the cold! Also, I always have to bring a sweater when I go back there--it's always freezing inside because everyone blasts the A/C.

I totally understand and hope you find a puffer you like!

goldenpig

(website)

Veteran

Just an update, in honor of the puffer post in Angie's blog...I decided to keep both puffers, because you can never have too many puffers even here in NorCal, right? The brown one will be my practical workhorse puffer and the cream one will be my "fashion" puffer, LOL. I took some more pics of the cream one styled, check it out! (Thanks Rae for the suggestion to try it with my teal sweater and pencil skirt. I've gone puffer crazy, haha!

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