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Puffer vs cloth and winter coats?

Runcarla

Veteran

So, it is hot and humid and I sit here in shorts and a t-shirt however, the Farmer’s Almanac is predicting a ‘polar coaster’ (eye roll)
in my part of the world. Short of moving in with one of our fab Southern Hemisphere members for the season, I’m going to have to deal with it.

Are puffers still a fashion ‘thing’? Any specific shapes more current? If I look at cloth coats instead, what shapes would be seen as more modern (vs classic)? I’m most interested in a length that is mid thigh to knee or just below the knee length. I would like to add 2 coats - one olive and one exuberant - patterned and colourful. (3 of my 4 winter coats are black, and I don’t even want to look at them!)

Any ideas?

General

28 replies

Latest reply was from Joy

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Puffers are VERY fashionable. LONG puffers are a thing, and short too - in avant-garde boxy silhouettes. The mid-thigh tailored cut is more classic.

anchie

Veteran

I don’t find coats and puffers interchangeable. For me coats are for temperatures 5C and up, and everything below that is puffy time

nemosmom

Veteran

I've seen a LOT of cropped puffers at retail (what is the point of a cropped puffer in winter?) So, whatever may be trending isn't necessarily practical

How about one solid puffer (olive?) and a longer cloth (wool? teddy coat? patterned?) coat?? I could see you rocking a plaid longer coat in red...

Cardiff girl

Veteran

Polar coaster!I love it.The weather is so much more interesting these days.It used to snow or snow heavily ,now we have polar vortexes and weather bombs!Anyway whether puffers are fashionable or not they are practical and necessary once it gets cold enough.l have three ,a long red one ,a hip length camel one belted and a light blue jacket one and if we have to ride the polar coaster this winter I expect that I will be wearing all of them regularly.l hear you on the black coats.l have one and wear it only for funerals.If I get another wool coat it’s going to be red.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Actually Nemosmom, short puffers are AMAZING in climates like mine. These are workhorses. One boxy, and one fitted:

Arundel Puffer Jacket

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7

Short Anorak With Hidden Hood

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39

nemosmom

Veteran

Oh, Angie, those are much longer than the ones I saw last week! There were some at Bloomingdales that barely covered the waistband.

ETA: I picked up this short (non cropped) green one last year. I prefer the shorter length or I feel like I am drowning in puff....

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Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

HAH!

Okay. I'm with you

Style Fan

Veteran

This is useful. I am planning to purchase another puffer this year. I will probably add an olive knee-length one. What would a polar coaster be? Some very cold days and then some warmer days (I say hopefully).

Runcarla

Veteran

Sorry, Style Fan...

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada.....-1.5262555

Roxanna

Veteran

@Carla - I bought a unique Soia & Kyo ref puffy Coat a couple of years ago and it is so warm and stylish - I adore it (looks better than on the model as the waist cinches in; it also comes without black collar attached that zips all the way up.)

I also found my Karen Millen light fall puffer surprisingly useful last year as I wore my leather jackets underneath it and kept them on as toppers at work.

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Anonymous

I can't get by in the usual polar coaster of a winter without both cloth coats and puffers. I realize your area is a lot more temperate than mine, but I'd think you'd want both too - especially for walks to the library and around town etc. I saw the best red/blue/yellow/black plaid teddy type knee length coat the other day that totally reminded me of you.....just saying . Re: puffers...you have the height and slim build that can carry pretty much any style of puffer - so you'll have tons to choose from.

Anonymous

@nemosmom I showed that to DH and he said "tell Weird Al Yankovik someone stole his "Fat" suit"
Think I need Roxanna's long puffers!
I'm in your dilemma too- want to add a second long coat (for over long layers) but puffy, wool, squall coat?

nemosmom

Veteran

suntiger - that's how I feel in a long puffy! I am too claustrophobic for sleeping bag-length coats, I think.

rachylou

Veteran

Like Anchie, I see cloth coats and puffers as for separate conditions... plenty of room for both...

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Nothing like a puffer when it is going to be chilly and rainy! But cloth coats are so fun and there are so many great vintage ones (I mean in my closet ). Gotta say both are necessary!

Gigi

Veteran

I'm another one who thinks like Anchie. For me, once the temperature gets down to around freezing, it's time for a puffer. And it has to cover my rear end.

Style Fan

Veteran

Carla, I am definitely going to need a very warm puffer and boots for Montreal this winter. Yikes!!!!

LaPed

Veteran

I think it's definitely worth having both. I mostly see long puffers where I am, along with ski parkas. If you're going to be outside doing a mix of walking and standing in below-freezing temps, a long down puffer is perfect. I can't say I ever overheat in winter conditions, so I have yet to meet a coat that feels like overkill. The warmer the better!

That said, I dislike puffers when I'm driving (and have heard that really puffy ones interfere with the seatbelt), and if it's not bitterly cold I'll generally opt for a wool coat or multiple lighter layers if I'm going to be in and out of the car a lot. I also just prefer the look of wool coats, always have.

I would love to add a second wool coat this winter. Mine is black, and I want to find a fun colour, or something plaid or otherwise patterned. I have a lot of strict criteria for winter coats: needs to be fully lined; pocket placement needs to be just right so they're actually usable for warming hands; must have a high stance or else it becomes a fall coat. Pendleton has several tempting options.

Bijou

Veteran

Lots of great coat recommendations from those who understand your weather. Carla have you thought about adding a fun scarf in your favourite colours to your black coats? I did that this winter and it really helped me enjoy my basic black coat again.

lyn67

Veteran

Well, I need both. Actually have cloth coats in short (peacoat-(good for dressier and driving) and long(for even more dressy) and have puffers long (for the coldest) and short (for midis, casual, free time trips&skating), too.

cindysmith

Veteran

I just learned about the polar coaster from my mom. It makes me glad I have built a roster of winter toppers in various shades, and now I know to hang on to all my sweaters I have been collecting during the "off-season" for sweaters (because that's when they're discounted to rock bottom prices).

I think puffers are pretty cool, TBH. They have a sort of futuristic look to them to my eye. Whether they're fashionable or not is Angie's wheelhouse, but to my eyes they're awesome--they look cool and they're super warm, making them a win-win.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Lots of printed puffers too:

SAM. Mackenzie Jacket

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3

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I need all the coats. Even now, in (relatively warmer!) BC.

Also, I HIGHLY recommend supposedly impractical colour. I admit, I do wear my navy coat often (with a bright scarf!) but adding coloured coats in the mix makes a huge mood-lifting difference.

I see a lot of long and short puffers here. Short was impractical for Ontario but works out here a lot better.

kkards

Veteran

puffers...now and forever!
i like puffers for the warmth without the weight ,for the way they can be folded up and stuffed in a bag...and for the way i can just try it into the washer/dryer as needed...

Katerina

Veteran

Puffers are always in! I wear both puffers and cloth coats. Our climate is predominantly colder seasons (still....). I have one long puffer coat and one shorter (mid thigh). Both are shades of light olive (golden olive). I have a couple of wool coats - a beige duffle coat and a dark grey short duffle coat. Also a green vintage wool cocoon coat. Actually, none of my coats are black at the moment, but all are neutral. It is a coincidence though. I think colourful winter coats are fabulous and fun. You should go for it!

bj1111

Veteran

Puffers! I’ve already bought 3 in the past 12 months and o have my eye on a sorrel deep winter puffer to replace an old north face one

I have cloth but I just don’t wear them

Jessikams

(website)

Veteran

I have a long cocoon style wool coat and it is surprisingly warm. I think the extra width around the waist holds in warm air, and the length that covers the knees really helps.

Joy

Veteran

I more long heavy cloth winter coats for me. Too heavy as I get older. I much prefer a puffer as light weight and they seem to accommodate anything you want to wear underneath and still zip up. I think there is a place for both long and short puffers.