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White puffer? Bad idea?

Anonymous

I've been researching deep winter puffers. I'll be wearing the puffer to work, and on errands. I have a ski jacket for more intensive activities.

This year, I would like to *stand out* By wearing a non-black, clear (bright) colour.

I came up with the Marmot Montreal coat (shorter) and the Marmot Montreaux (longer-red) which retail for under $300 (a great price!). I've decided I don't want to spend too much on a puffer because the more expensive ones do not bring me much more joy than the cheaper ones.

- Is a white puffer a terrible idea? I'm not messy but still. I also like the blue. The red one is longer and also comes in the blue.

Also--Do you know what type of bag would go with a puffer? I like Angie's leopard bag with the white coat, but does it work with the blue? I am concerned about mixing dressy things with gear. I don't mind moving to all gear for winter. I also have my trusty navy bag.

Any opinions or wisdom?

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Neiman Marcus Last Call

Charles Jourdan Charles Jourdan Ophelia Leopard-Print Leather Satchel Bag, Natural

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Neiman Marcus Last Call

Elena Medium Leather Satchel Bag, Navy

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39 replies

Latest reply was from

JAileen

Veteran

My main thought is you have to be really careful to not brush up against a car. A little dirt on a dark one might not show up, but on a white one it would. So you might have to wash it a lot, which is a nuisance.

El Cee

Veteran

I adore the look of a white puffer. I owned a white parka a number of years ago that I loved to death. Unfortunately I am a bus commuter and a "human dirt magnet", so the coat was always in need of cleaning. Just not practical for my real life. If you do decide on white, be sure that the coat is, at the very least, surface washable. The blue one is also quite lovely. I do not think you would go wrong with either selection. Both are sufficiently dressy to not read as "gear". As far as bags go -- I see leopard print as a true neutral. In my eyes, it goes with everything.

Joy

Veteran

I got a white puffer last winter and love it as a change from the sea of black. It's my black puffer that gets most soiled from bushing up against cars, not the white one. A pale, silvery grey would be perfect and what I will look for next.

Joy

Veteran

Addressing your question about bags, I use mostly silver/ pewter bags. Mine seem to have lots of zippers so don't look dressy. A back pack bag would also work. I'd probably wear it on one shoulder as a shoulder bag rather than as a back pack, especially with a puffer.

rachylou

Veteran

I've had two. It's the sleeves and cuffs that get brutalized and scotch guard doesn't help. Still, a white puffy is stunning...

Style Fan

Veteran

Well I don't wear white anything. I put white on and dirt attacks me. But there are some people who seem to be able to pull it off.

Elle

Veteran

I have a white puffer and love the look. But mine is washable which is fortunate since I commute by public transit and it picks up dirt and stains like nobody's business. So it will really depend on how you travel, how careful you want to be, and whether you are willing to wash/dry clean often.

Staysfit

Veteran

I have a white puffer vest. I wash it frequently. Make sure whatever you get is machine wash and durable. I find white easy enough to keep clean as long as I address any potential stains immediately.

I like the blue puffer best by the way. It looks like a great color.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I had a white puffer with a tan faux fur trim for years - and LOVED it. It was fashion - not gear.

Jules

Veteran

Will you have another option for when you have to throw this one in the wash? That would be the only way it would work for me. Otherwise I'd be frustrated wearing a dirty puffer because I'm not organized enough to get it wash and dried overnight on a regular basis. YMMV. I imagine frequent washing will also wear it out faster.

Anonymous

Jules, smart thinking! Yes, I do have another puffer that I could use (good thing I haven't donated it yet! :-)). I would definitely be like you and avoid washing due to bottlenecks, so I agree it's important to have a backup.

Joy, good to hear about the salt not showing up as much on the white.

Jaileen, Staysfit, StyleFan, Rachy, and El Cee -- Your practical viewpoints are much appreciated.

Angie -- I'm glad you think puffers don't have to be gear. I auto-associate them
...

I went shopping today and I found the Marmot coat I wanted (not in white) and the hood was not large enough without the fake fur (which I would want to take off)

I found a Helly Hansen coat (see finds) with a HUGE hood in a bright but warm white (like Benjamin Moore 'Simply White' for the decorators out there ;-)). It's polyester fill, so can be washed more often. I put it on hold till tomorrow.

Helly Hansen Helly Hansen 'Luna' Waterproof Faux Fur Hood Parka

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Gigi

Veteran

I recently ordered a cream puffer myself, because I am so sick of the sea of black and gray. I love cream in the wintertime! I ended up having to return it because it did not fit properly. But I think it is worth a try, as long as you find one that is machine washable. I would also make sure that you wash it soon after it dirties rather than waiting for the dirt to build up--I think that waiting for the dirt to build up can result in stains that are more difficult to get out.

chadya

Veteran

I had one years ago, and while I loved the look.
I could never get the cuffs clean, I ended up donating it
It was a GAP coat and was warm so I was regretful but never looked clean.

So think about cost of coat vs. maintaining

Anonymous

I am one hundred percent in favor of a white coat/jacket/topper. The idea of a white puffer is a dream come true. Washable? Even better.

I've searched for a white jacket for years. I personally want white (not cream, not off white). I bought one a couple of years ago. Sadly, I returned it because the fit was off. I found another one this season. Now I know to be vigilant about the sleeves and cuffs for dirtiness, but I still intend to wear mine to death.

I vote TRY IT. How could white be wrong?

approprio

(website)

Veteran

I think a white puffer would be sensational. I never wear puffers, but came very close to buying a white one myself this season.

I wear a lot of white, and people often ask me how I keep it clean. I concur with Gigi, you need to be vigilant and get rid of dirt as soon as you notice it. I prefer spot-cleaning to washing because it's more effective and better for the garment.

The other thing to remember is that while white gets dirty in the long run, very few people notice the odd smudge here and there. Some marks may never come out, but the good news is that most of the time you're the only one who knows about them.

Anonymous

Approprio -- what do you use for spot cleaning? Those wipes? Or do you have another technique?

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I am a big lover of white puffers. I tried to buy one the past couple of years but couldn't find the right version. (As you've discovered, fit, esp. on hoods, can be an issue.) I do think it's a risk with a car, given our climate, and if you are a walker, you have to know that cars may rush past and splash you with slush. Meanwhile, on pure white snowy days the coat may not be quite as much a standout as a red one would be. (I also love a red coat, by the way).

But. There is something so fresh and feminine about white, and so distinctive in the sea of black.

Also, in my experience, puffers wash really well. Mine is down, but I wash it quite regularly and it always comes out great. (It's by Lole -- check their offerings, too, this year -- my coat feels like a cross between gear and fashion.)

Mine's the grey coat. Also in Finds some white puffers I tried that did not quite make the grade due to fit or other issues.

I probably won't buy one this year and will make due with my grey since we are expecting to move to a climate where it won't be a priority, but I think for Ottawa a while puffer would be fabulous.

Also, bags. I have this problem, too. If you like a satchel, I actually think this is good because one issue with puffers is that even if your shoulders are square, shoulder bags have a bit of a tendency to slip due to the fabric. I often wore my fashion backpack with my puffer last year, or I used my Le Pliage, which is okay in terrible weather.

Lole Women's Katie L Edition Jacket

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Victoria Performance Fabric And Lamb Leather Parka

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Women's Essential Down Parka

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Marla Lightweight Puffer

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Longchamp 'Large Le Pliage' Tote

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Quilted Rucksack

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approprio

(website)

Veteran

Sterling, I have a few different techniques depending on the stain, and I've never tried any of these on technical fabric.

Spillages are a simple matter of immediate action. Water and a tiny amount of hand soap will take care of most things. If that's not enough, I keep a few stain-specific fluids handy for washable items, treating the mark with a few drops and then sponging with water once it's soaked for a few minutes. Can't remember specific brands, but Stain Devils/Dylon spring to mind. There used to be a really good citrus-based product for delicate fabrics, but it seems to disappeared.

K2R stain remover is fantastic for dry spot-cleaning on anything you'd prefer not to get wet, but be sure to open the window and keep pets out of the way. Them's some powerful fumes.

And I have a great tip for getting marks out of white shoes: nail polish remover! If you're nervous, spot test this first, but I've never had any problems with it on leather footwear and it works like a charm.

Anonymous

Thanks Approprio. I'm going to save your suggestions in a special file I created.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Smittie, mine was more off-white, and it had tortoise shell buttons. The faux fur tan trim MADE the coat. It died, and that's the only reason I don't have it anymore. I have a black Soia & Kyo arctic puffer now - and I just can't stand that it's black! I WISH it was ink or cream.

tulle

Veteran

I acquired an off-white Northface puffer parka almost 10 years ago when my 13 year-old daughter outgrew it. It's still going strong for me--warm, and so much more cheerful than the dull, dark puffers that we tell ourselves are practical. I think with any light-colored jacket, the trick is to be able to rotate it with a couple of other jackets or coats, and to minimize the grime by washing fairly often. I rub a stain stick on the cuffs, inner collar, and front, then pop it in the machine. This keeps the puffer puffy and smelling good, too. As for styling it, I've learned that wearing it over other light colors--pale gray, cream, taupe, & light blue--makes the jacket look more luxe and integrated. I usually carry a gray bag with it (or no bag at all,) but last year I tried out a turquoise leather bag I usually keep for Summer, plus a pair of turquoise cashmere gloves, and loved the look. I also re-purposed a cream fox fur collar into trim for the detachable hood, and it really took the puffer to a luxurious new level. I think that those of us who experience long, cold Winters need a variety of outerwear in different styles and colors to prevent the November-to-April blahs. (Angie has written about this.) I've found that, by thinking of outfit-plus-outerwear as an ensemble, I feel less at the mercy of the thermometer, if that makes sense.

Anonymous

Omg, tulle, you are on top of white puffer luxe! I love your idea of incorporating fox fur (or even a faux fur scarf that are so available now) to make the look more dressy. Also love the idea of bright mitts and bag.

Approprio, great tip on the nail polish remover for white shoes. Will try that out!

Suz-I'll look into lole. Forgot about them. I like red too but have not found the right shade.

Angie-Oh I see what you mean about what a desssy puffer looks like. I think the faux fur on the latest one Adds an element of luxury, but there are some snap details that move it more towards gear. I will continue looking.

I find the navy or ink is still too much like black to uplift my spirits in the winter.

Sterling, Gigi, I think it's worth the risk too.

Chadia, thank you. The cuffs do seem to be an issue. I am still thinking about it.

Anonymous

Smittie -- the weather finally turned cool enough for me to wear my white jacket. I wore it all weekend long (park, errands, Christmas shopping). I felt absolute fabulous among the sea of dark, dark colors. I got more complements on my outfits than I have received in a long time, thus confirming to me that we are all eager for a burst of brightness in our lives.

I'm not trying to sway your decision. I just wanted to give you one more data point for your consideration.

On a side note, I saw several people wearing bright yellow at the park. They looked pretty fabulous too.

Fannieprl

Coming from someone who just dripped mustard from a hotdog all down my white t-shirt, I'd still say I love the look of a white coat. As long as it's washable, I'd go for it.

Zibbets

Veteran

One thing about the white puffer (apologies if someone already mentioned it) you will want to be careful what kind of bag you carry with it as anything dyed can/will transfer color onto the white.

I love the idea of a white coat, but have had bad luck with them myself.

Joy

Veteran

Another idea that will help keep any coat or jacket clean longer is to wear it with a scarf...any kind of scarf as long as it keeps the coat away from your neck. I make sure that every jacket or coat has at least one scarf and hang it with the coat.

I also advocate treating any grime or possible stain right away. I've had good luck with prewash sprays like Oxyclean.

Runcarla

Veteran

What a great thread! I have been resisting the puffer after a snide comment from a man I work with about my looking like I was wearing a sleeping bag. This was many years ago (like 20!). I did love my light and very warm lavender winter coat, but the comment was the kiss of death on any future puffer purchases.

Today's versions seem much slimmer. Also, I really need something for to-ing and fro-ing from the gym. The pea coat just doesn't work, and my snowboarding winter jacket is ancient, and mostly black.

I like Joy's idea of silvery grey and Sterling's sighting of yellow. Orange (not red) is a colour Imwould like to try. Tulle' suggestion of fur or faux fur accessories is brilliant!

FWIW, Smittie, go for a white or cream one that is machine washable -'and enjoy the heck out of it! Red would be a great back-up.

Sal

Veteran

I don't feel the best to talk about puffers - I do have one - but I cannot compare our winters to yours.

I do have a white gear jacket (I use it for cycling, wearing to and from the gym, walking, running in the rain etc). I purchased it in 2008 just prior to a holiday. It is still going strong, it has a couple of small marks and is getting worn. It is washed regularly.

My only puffer is purple and does get marked around the neck, I wash it regularly with a special down wash which seems to work.

I think you would suit a white puffer - it would be luxurious! I also think I would want another one for the odd occasion where white is not suitable, even if it just an old one/backup.

anne

Veteran

I LOVE the idea of a white puffer!

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