7 Puffers for the Winter Chill

Oct 29, 2019

When I moved to Washington state, I exited the plane, and someone handed me a puffer coat.   Like a Pacific Northwest party favor.  Had I flown private, they would have handed me a Canada Goose coat.

When I lived in D.C., many women wore puffers to shield them from the chill of commuting.  Here, in the Upper Left — where the weather is as cold, as it is wet — they wear them everywhere.  So here are a few puffers that can keep you warm, and keep you from looking like the Michelin Man designed your outfit.

Bernardo Packable Puffer ($150) (also in plus)

Leopard Print Puffer Vest ($90) (also in petite)

Sam Edelman Pillow Collar Belted Puffer ($150)

Athleta Lofty Down Jacket ($198)

Cole Haan Box Quilt Puffer ($165)

Talbot’s Down Puffer ($199) (misses, plus, petite, petite plus)

And, of course, what would a puffer roundup be without the Amazon puffer coat from Orolay ($109)

{image by Jamie Street; this post contains affiliate links that may generate commission for the author}

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  1. PW says:

    I own and love the Cole Haan Box Quilt Puffer.

    The only thing is I definitely have makeup marks on the collar. I’ve tried makeup removers (I think at Abra’s suggestion actually) as well as soap/water to no avail. If anyone else has tips on how to clean I’d appreciate it!

  2. NICOLE says:

    Ha ha ha ha, live in Portland, can confirm: the PNW puffer coats are inescapable. And I’m part of the problem, I have three. Plus a puffer vest. Sigh.

  3. Allison says:

    Would you consider doing a similar post for wool/wool-blend coats? I’ve been searching for a replacement for my dress-length, suit-friendly black wool coat for weeks to no avail. I love the warmth of puffers, but they don’t quite match the professionalism of wool or pea coats for court and client-meeting days. (Or maybe that’s just in my head, and it’s simply personal preference.)

  4. anna says:

    I just moved to Seattle and got my parents to buy me an Eddie Bauer waterproof trench with a removable insulated liner (Girl on the Go) as an early birthday gift that feels verrrry PNW. I didn’t mind wearing my puffy winter coat in DC when it got really cold or on the weekends, but felt sooo out of place here in a wool coat when I visited in January when the temps were too warm for my big puffer, but too cold for a light jacket. I’ve been wearing the crap out of this coat now that the chill and rain has started.

    • E says:

      +1 on Eddie Bauer coats! The first puffer I had from them lasted 10 years and made it through multiple Midwestern winters, including four years of college where I was walking 20+ minutes to class in below freezing temps. Other brands are trendier, but I find them comfortable and, if you buy on sale, much more reasonably priced.

  5. Katherine says:

    Thank youuuu!! Love the Bernardo. I live in Seattle and my puffy coat is teal and not suitable for day to day.

  6. ELIZABETH says:

    I fought the puffer coat for so long, but when I finally got one I felt like a new world of warmth had been opened up to me. I have a Patagonia, which is decidedly less fashionable, but I live in Portland (so they’re very common) and it’s so light and packable I’m willing to make it work!

  7. Monica T says:

    After traveling with a parka last winter I decided I needed to find a warm but packable coat. I found a nice selection of puffers at Everlane and went with the lighter weight one in olive. I live in a mild climate, but it is very warm for my needs and looks stylish and can be thrown in a carry-on easily. I’m bummed they only have a few colors in a few sizes left of last years model, but if you wear smalls and like lavender and pink I highly recommend that jacket!

    https://www.everlane.com/products/womens-renew-ltwt-puffer-rose?collection=womens-outerwear

  8. caitlin says:

    I had really good luck last year with a very reasonably priced puffer with a big faux fur collar, in a chic black & light blue, from Nordstrom Rack. They end up with a lot of discounted name-brand coats.

    … That being said, I am eyeing the Amazon coat…

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