One of the worst emotions you can feel after buying clothes is regret. Realising that a garment is no longer fit for purpose. One of my biggest regrets is buying a puffer jacket without doing the proper research. At the time, I was elated with buying my first puffer jacket after years of suffering in the cold with an overcoat. I had my chance to buy an affordable down-filled puffer jacket from H&M in black. What could go wrong? Now in retrospect, I needed a lot more features. While the puffer jacket was filled with down and offered me warmth, it wasn’t waterproof, which I realised would come back to haunt me during the wettest winter in London.
To help you make better puffer jacket choices, I have pooled together what I consider the best features you need in a puffer jacket of your dreams.
WATER REPELLANT
One of the challenges of wearing a puffer jacket during winter is the chance of rain. If your puffer is not waterproof, the filling will get soaked, and if there is enough rainfall, the water will soak into your layers, but that is only in extreme cases. The most that will happen is your jacket will become a lot heavier than when you left the house. If you wear real down feathers, it takes a very long time for the filling to become completely dry. When you are buying your next puffer, ensure that the jacket is water-resistant and repellent to ensure the down filling it protected. This way you have a rain jacket and a winter jacket in one.
SECRET STRAPS
There is nothing worse than leaving your house and realising you have worn too many layers. There have been many occasions where I haven’t checked the weather properly and chosen to wear my puffer jacket instead of a lightweight jacket. One thing I hate is being-overdressed. If you have judged the weather poorly and the padding of your puffer jacket is not needed, utilise these cool straps inside the lining of the coat. The straps transform the puffer into a backpack, making you carry it without feeling burdened.
HOODED
Not all coats need to have a hood, but you should not purchase a puffer jacket without one. If it is water repellant, it will offer you much-needed shelter from the rain, but it will also provide some warmth to your head and ears when the temperature gets too cold.
TEXTURE
Experimenting with the texture is an easy way to elevate a puffer jacket helping it become a hero piece in your winter style. Shifting from traditional polyester shells and updating to seasonal materials breathes new life into the classic padded coat and makes your puffer a stylish addition to your outerwear collection.
CUFFED
Warmth and comfort are the number one factors to consider when it comes to wearing a puffer. While the padding gives you optimal warmth, you want to make sure that the cold and draft gets locked out of your body. Your jacket should have an elasticated cuff to stop the cold from getting inside. Ensure you have a drawstring closure around the hood and bottom of the coat. When the temperature gets too cold, you need to seal the warmth as best you can.
MATTE OR SHEEN
One of the things I wish I knew before buying my puffer is the difference in the finish when purchasing a polyester/polyamide puffer jacket. You can get a glossy shell finish which looks like the jacket has a wet-look, or go down the matte route.
What features do you look for in a puffer jacket?