Hee hee... I love the subject line.
I gave in to the giant puffer this year and I'm happy I did. Mine is truly marshmallow-land, considering it's off-white:
http://s386.photobucket.com/al.....008135.jpg
I was limited because I absolutely needed a Petite coat - sometimes I can get away with regular sizing, but not for a coat this long.
My requirements were simple: I wanted one with real, 100% down inside it. I have multiple puffers that don't make me look quite so puffy, but none of them have down; they are filled with acrylic synthetic something-or-other. This makes them less puffy but nowhere near as warm!
The coat above was extremely toasty - underneath, I could get away with wearing just a tee if I wanted, and still be quite warm. The color is fox fur and it is removeable. I liked the fox fur - it can be cinched in to cover the ears. However, my ideal coat would've had a fur-lined hood for complete head coverage. Still, this worked and kept me toasty.
This is the other puffer I took to Iceland:
http://s386.photobucket.com/al.....008104.jpg
I'm not sure you can call it a true puffer, because it's not that puffy! It's from Abercrombie and Fitch. I rarely shop in that store, because it's the sort of place my teens would shop in, but I saw this coat last winter and tried it on and fell in love with it (leave no retail stone unturned!) It hits at my hip. I fell in love with the gigantic hood (which is removeable but the coat isn't as cute without it). Unfortunately, the zipper broke while in Iceland... I will be getting it fixed.
It's not down filled but would work for driving since it's car-coat length. The hood would keep your hair dry during a snow storm. This coat is very waterproof, which is a big plus.
This puffer is cute and less puffery - Elie Tahari - but it's not filled with Down so it's more of a fall-weight coat and you would freeze in it:
http://s386.photobucket.com/al.....ook085.jpg
I have another 3/4 length, red puffer from Ann Taylor a few years back ... sorry no pic... again, it's not so puffy but it's also not so warm either, since it is not filled with Down but some synthetic.
North Face makes a very nice puffer (black) that is down-filled, has a hood, is quite long (the XS is ankle length on me), but somehow doesn't make you look too marshmallowy. I see this coat all over the place here in Boston, worn by many stylish women to and from work. I have been tempted by this coat for a few years now.... unfortunately, I just can't get over the stupid North Face logo which is not just on the front, but on the BACK too.... as my DH says "It looks like bird poop from far away!!".
Here's this year's edition of the North Face jacket (on me, it hits close to the ankle, or they have shortened it this year):
http://www1.bloomingdales.com/.....24*-1*-1*3
As for tips - other than looking for something with genuine down for the ultimate in warmth - look for one with seaming that defines a waist. Or even one with a belt, if you don't mind belted coats.
I had my eye on this one for awhile - note the seaming that defines a waist - but now it's only available in black. Black is practical but white is so pretty and it stands out in the sea of winter black:
http://www1.bloomingdales.com/.....24*-1*-1*1
I'm happy and content with the one I have in the first pic.... it stood the Iceland test and it only cost me $60!
