How many puffers do I need? - YouLookFab Forum

Saw this while surfing new arrivals on Nordie's, and I'm debating about buying it, though new puffer coat was not on my list this year. I live in Boston so puffer's are quite practical. Finding one that is fairly slimming, non-black, warm and PETITE -- a must! -- is always a big challenge. This one looks like it may fit the bill:

http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/be.....w+Arrivals

But currently I have several 3/4 length puffers...

1) A black, fairly stylish, surprisingly slimming puffer with exaggerated collar that somehow works on me. Roomy enough I can wear jackets under it. I love this puffer and how it looks, even though it is black (I purchased it before I moved away from black outerwear).

Unfortunately, it is not warm at all. It is reserved for spring & fall use only. And it cannot be worn in wet, sloppy weather because it is not waterproof at all... if I get caught in the rain, my entire outfit will be sopping wet in minutes.

2) A white puffer with hood. It is packable for travel: it scrunches down into a tiny zip pouch and can fit in to luggage. And, it's WARM! Perfect weight for the majority of winter days. It is somewhat slimming in that it has a drawstring waist that can be adjusted to give an hourglass look. Drawback: pain in the you know what to keep clean. In particular, despite best efforts to always wear a scarf, I am always getting makeup all over the collar.

3) An off-white puffer with removable fox fur collar. This one is not slimming at all; it is extremely puffy and filled with down. It's quite heavy, with all that down. Despite it not being slimming, it's fantastically warm for the most frigid temperatures. I can wear it over a skimpy sleeveless dress and be toasty. It is too warm to wear inside, so it doesn't work for shopping excursions. Despite it basically being akin to a Mount Everest sleeping bag, it still manages to have some style to it, with the fox fur collar. It is not "gearish" at all.

4) A streamlined, super fitted true red AT puffer. Midweight; warmer than #1 but not as warm as #2. Cannot layer anything at all under it. I wear this one the least, and probably should let it go. The reason I don't wear it that often? Despite the fab slimming fit, I feel too conspicuous in the red. Too much like... xmas or something...

Debate the merits of the Bernardo, over my other puffers, please... the price is right. The stitching looks like it would be slimming. The color is awesome!! I'd have to make room in my closet for it. #4 could go....

13 years ago

rute

Veteran

Considering that you wear them a lot and you have two white ones and a black, I would go for this one, it's a lovely color!

catgirl

I just saw these in person! They are VERY light and airy, like the Patagonia gear puffers, but come in pretty colors. Bernardo has several styles and colors, at good prices. The silver is really great and not OTT at all to my eye!

sinead

Active Member

Shiny, while it sounds like you have several puffers, it doesn't sound like you have a 'perfect' puffer. Maybe this will be the one!
ETA: And I love this one- gorgeous!

Hey, the website only shows one color but my store had them in at least four colors!

bj1111

are you looking for a warmer puffer but less warm than the everest sleeping bag or are you looking for a warmish fashion puffer that you can layer under?

I will add this: I have three puffers, a long North Face in ink blue a long "fashiony" one with a fur trimmed hood in metallic bronze, and a short Marmot in emerald green. The Burberry is still up in the air.

You could justify another one in Boston - but this one is quite lightweight and I don't see it keeping you terribly warm.

pil

How often do you find yourself wishing you had a different puffer to wear? Just my thrifty side talking : )

Anonymous

I have many, many coats, I'd say close to 15, but only two puffers. I just don't feel fab on them. As far as puffers, I have a black dressier one, that's best for super frigid temperatures and a short, camel one that I use very rarely. If a down jacket is your preferred choice, just like coats are mine, I'd say go for it. I have determined that I will not limit myself on coats. I enjoyed having a choice of coat for every day and more!

rachylou

I got this in blue at the summer Nordstrom Anniversary Sale (NAS). I love it. I also believe you can't have two many puffers. I have 7+. Lol.

I will caution though: In terms of weight, it's more like what they call a "puffer sweater." I think 25 F is it's limit - like November in NYC.

shiny

Oh, depressing! I was hoping for a warm puffer! Though 25 degrees with layerability may not be a bad deal. Usually for those temps, I stick with my jcrew thermo-lined wool coat, not a puffer. The puffer comes out when it snows, or gets colder.

AG - according to the site, this coat is not offered anywhere near me. It may become available later. Maybe I should wait. It's just that, in my experience, the petite coats sell out so darn fast.

Sinead - you are correct. I still don't think I have my perfect puffer. The shape of #1 would be it, if it actually kept me warm AND dry. The lack of water proofing is particularly annoying with that one. It's more of a fashion coat, I guess. I do love the travel/packability feature of #2, so even if I found a replacement, I'd keep that one for trips. If I got rid of #3, I'd have ample space in my closet for an additional 5 coats. LOL. But I hold on to it because who knows, maybe power will go out? It would make a fashionable survival coat. Ha!

This may still be the perfect replacement for #4... I do love the color. It's very "me."

Shiny, you live in Boston and should add at least one puffer to your collection each year. This one is fabulous! I can definitely see you wearing this one. In fact I want it too but can't justify it in Kansas.

With a thermal shirt or sweater, I think you could very well extend its use. I don't know about Boston winters, but I think I would get by with it visiting out in Pittsburgh, PA, in winter.

Bonus: it's stuffable, comes with a stuff sack. Also, it has a hood. Thin, but it would help in a pinch.

Suz

(website)

I really like this coat. In fact, you are tempting me. I have one fairly casual puffer (living in Ontario) plus a puffer vest. I would like a dressier alternative. This one is a nice length and cut and the colour is fab!

As Rachy says, with smart layering this could do you for more of the year.

Ariadne

What sinead said. I think this one would be really stunning on you, Shiny.

Caro in Oz

The colour is fantastic for you & I love the stitching on the back. If the weight is right for you I'd buy it. I must say I don't own a puffer no need for one here so I have no idea on weights etc.

I'm happy to reconnoiter. .. we have a huge selection of puffers at our local store right now, and a lot of them are not on the site for some reason. There are THREE different styles of Bernardo down alone!

I think you need to consign the red one and buy this one for everyday. It wouldn't show dirt or grime, it's slimming and a nice length. I'm with you on keeping the super warm one for power outages or emergencies. Heck, you could use it as an extra blanket too!

Angie

Fashion Stylist

I vote get another puffer coat! If I lived on the East Coast I would have at least 2.

Scarlet

I strongly prefer the look of wool coats, so I have only one puffer which is black, stylish, very warm, and lightweight. However, this does mean that at some point I exclusively wear this coat in the bitter winter for 2 months or so because I travel by public transport and foot. However, if I had the budget and closet space I would probably get a "fun" color like this one.

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