A Fashion Editor on the Best Puffers That Money Can Buy (Starting at $30)
Bored of your Amazon coat from last year? Us, too. So we turned to our fashion editor (and resident fashion expert), Dena Silver, to help us find the best puffer jackets on the market. Here, 21 fashion editor-approved puffer jackets to wear all winter long, starting at just $30.
RELATED: 14 Winter Coats (Under $200) That Will Stand Out From a Sea of Black Puffers
1. Ma Croix Quilted High-Collar Fluffy Crop Puffer Corduroy Jacket
Pro tip? Invest in an affordable puffer like this one if you’ll need a jacket in a specific color (navy or yellow, anyone?), Silver suggests. Because no, your black puffer won’t go with everything.
2. Uniqlo Women Ultra Light Down Jacket
When packing for vacay, your big, bulky puffer is always the first thing to get cut when you inevitably need more space. Silver recommends investing in this cult-favorite from Uniqlo because it’s warm yet light and can be easily shoved into its small included pouch. And more than 500 reviewers gave it five stars, so she’s definitely onto something.
3. Orolay Women’s Short Hooded Coat with Removable Belt
Not looking to stray too far out of your comfort zone? “This is a good alternative to the Amazon coat––it’s by the same brand. But it has a waist tie so you won’t look like a puffy marshmallow,” Silver advises. It also has two giant pockets in the front that are big enough to accommodate your iPhone 11.
4. ASOS Design Curve Padded Jacket with Cord Patching
The corduroy panels add a li’l something extra to this puffer.“This rust color is retro, but not in an in-your-face way. Which is the best way to do retro,” Silver raves. The black zippers and details mean this will also look great with black ski or snowboard pants, so you can plan your winter getaways accordingly.
5. Rachel Parcell Puffer Jacket
“A standup collar means you’re not totally screwed if you leave your scarf behind. Also, don’t be fooled by the shiny black fabric. It might look like a garbage bag on your computer, but it reads ‘fancy lady’ when you see it IRL,” Silver states. And the puffiness factor on this one is ideal for hibernation season.
6. Abercrombie & Fitch Mini Sherpa Fleece Puffer Jacket
Sherpa is everywhere and we’re not mad about it. “I love that this jacket is cropped, because you can wear it and still show off your outfit,” Silver explains. At this price point, go ahead and get one in another color while you’re at it. Psst, there’s a black velvet variation too.
7. Save the Duck Women’s Iris Hooded Jacket
Looking for a cruelty-free option? Silver loves Save the Duck because they use advanced technology to eschew duck down for sustainable materials that are still super insulating. The hood on this style zips all the way up, so you don’t have to worry about it flying off in the rain or snow.
8. UO Oversized Faux Leather Puffer Coat
Get this one instead of the similar Nanushka style you’ve been drooling over, Silver advises. “This is a way better price to pay for a trendy piece you’ll probably only wear for one season,” she explains. Plus, the long length and oversized hood will leave you feeling extra bundled.
9. Calvin Klein Jeans Hooded Faux-Fur-Collar Metallic Puffer Jacket
“I’ve had the same metallic puffer for the past three winters, and I still get compliments on it, which blows my mind. But it does make bundling up feel a little cooler,” Silver says. This Calvin Klein iteration has a convenient removable hood, so you can wear it effectively, depending on the forecast.
10. Universal Standard Josie Short Puffer
“I love the unexpected pattern on this one––and the fact that the cool mint-colored fabric is water-resistant. Totally genius,” Silver says. This jacket also comes in sizes from 4XS to 4XL, which is a win in our book.
11. Champion Europe Reverse Weave Puff Jacket
“I had a jacket from Champion last year and got so many compliments on it. They might be a relatively basic brand, but they clearly know how to make a good puffer,” Silver explains. And with this particular style, you can wear it to the office and the gym, looking appropriately chic for both.
12. The North Face 1996 Retro Nuptse Puffer Jacket
“This exact style dates back to 1996, so you know it’s really and truly retro,” Silver says. The brand brought back their classic water-repellant, ultra-warm 1996 Nuptse style this year. “It was basically made to be worn with mom jeans,” she points out.
13. Aritzia The Super Puff™ Long
“Aritzia’s puffer jacket was such a big hit last year that they introduced approximately a million iterations of it for 2019,” Silver raves. This particular version hits well past the knees and is filled with ultra-warm goose down. “Some days you just need a sleeping bag to wear in public,” she points out.
14. Dawn Levy Gwen Circle-Quilted Jacket
Silver is partial to the unique two-layer design that allows the wearer to zip it up depending on the temperature––and how much of their outfit they want to show off. She also approved this jacket because of its “not so basic” circle-quilted pattern.
15. MSGM Giubbino Jacket
We’re already dreaming up all the ways we could style this gem. “Leopard is a neutral,” Silver reminds us. That’s all the endorsement we need to invest in this puffer from MSGM, a notoriously playful Italian brand. Plus, the loose fit of this jacket will layer well over even our chunkiest sweaters, making it a go-to for those super-cold days.
16. Apparis Alana Coat with Detachable Scarf
The detachable scarf means you can stay bundled during an arctic blast, but ditch it on those warmer winter days. “You don’t see a puffer with this kind of neckline often,” Silver points out. This is definitely one loud style that won’t blend in with the crowd.
17. Sea Suzu Coat
As soon as Silver laid eyes on this coat, she knew we had to add it to the list.“This pale lavender shade will make even the most miserable winter chill feel bearable, but that’s not the best part of this jacket. Off-center zipper and a cool funnel neck aside, I love that the sleeves snap off, turning this into a vest in a literal...snap!”
18. Moose Knuckles Causapcal Parka
Silver recommends this parka as an alternative to the Canada Goose jacket you’ve seen everywhere. It has a midweight goose-down fill and adjustable size zippers so you don’t end up feeling like the Michelin Man. “Canadians understand cold weather, so I trust them to make a parka for those it’s-so-cold-I’m-gonna-die’ days,” she explains.
19. Acne Studios Ottie Oversized Hooded Quilted Shell Down Coat
“This coat does make you look like a marshmallow, but that’s the whole point. And it has cool snaps and ties, so you’re not just a basic marshmallow,” says Silver. This long, down-filled style from Acne is guaranteed to keep you toasty all winter long.
20. Miu Miu Feather-Trimmed Quilted Shell Down Jacket
Silver dubs this the “black tie” of puffer coats. “Hello, it has feathers on the sleeves,” she emphasizes. Statement-making potential: 11/10. And it’s functional too. Even though it’s not bulky, the down interior provides just as much warmth as a more traditional down jacket.
21. Prada Cropped Quilted Shell Down Coat
Silver picked this bad boy for its Velcro sash, which allows for tons of different styling options. “For $2,000, it better be versatile,” she points out. By March, you still won’t be tired of wearing it––and that’s a worthy investment.
RELATED: 3 Winter Jackets That Are Primed to Be the ‘Amazon Coat’ of 2020
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