Meet Winter 2021’s Most Versatile Wardrobe Staple
Plus every way you can wear the utilitarian puffer coat.
If you’ve lived anywhere that the temperature drops below 40 in the winter, you may find it funny that a puffer has been dubbed a “trend” by the fashion industry. On brisk winter days (and some in both fall and spring, for that matter), this ubiquitous item is not exactly optional, per se. But as is the case with most enduring fashion trends, the aesthetically favored appearance is underscored with a heavy dose of function.
As the puffer now has a place in fashion, it’s found its way from the street to the runway. A designer who often riffs on streetwear in a trickle-up style, Demna Gvasalia of Balenciaga outfitted a few of his models in puffers for their fall ’21 collection. But we even saw the well-known utilitarian style in collections from less classically “edgy” designers like Lemaire and Jason Wu. And, of course, once something is popular, leave it to this bunch of sartorially inclined creatives to deconstruct the classic notion of a puffer and reinterpret it in new and alluring ways.
The down material of a puffer jacket is no longer confined to the typical parka silhouette. Though designers repeatedly riffed on the style for the fall ’21 season, this is not the first time they’ve pushed the norms. No one could forget the Moncler x Valentino fall ’19 show where puffers took on the form of floor-length gowns. More recently, our hearts swooned when we saw them in the form of roses in the Louis Vuitton fall ’21 menswear show. To better explore every possible way to wear a puffer, we’ve rounded up every iteration we’ve seen this year below for your viewing pleasure.
Short Puffers
Belted Puffers
Bomber Puffers
Casablanca Fall 2021 Photo: Yannis Meynadier / Courtesy of Casablanca... Read More
Turtleneck Puffers
Fendi Fall 2021 Menswear Photo: Courtesy of Fendi... Read More
Scarf Puffers
Deconstructed Puffers
Rick Owens Fall 2021 Menswear Photo: Courtesy of Rick Owens... Read More
When it comes to donning a puffer in your day-to-day life, the simpler options are definitely more favorable—though we would seriously applaud you for wearing a puffer gown on the streets of Manhattan. There aren’t many styling guidelines for how you outfit yours, especially since, in reality, you will likely be wearing it with every outfit you own in the winter season. A few of our favorite looks have been tonal interpretations, balancing the oversize fit with a slim leg pant, and practically any pairing of cropped puffers with denim. Regardless of how you wear it, we’ve listed out a few tried-and-true styles to keep you warm (and stylish) this season.
On a Simpler Note….Here Are a Few of Our Favorite Styles to Shop Now:
Ganni Tech Down Jacket
$425
It’s hard to put a twist on a functional puffer without it coming off as silly and superfluous. Ganni adds just the slightest bit of cool factor by adding in their iconic oversize collar detail.
Tna The Super Puff Shorty
$225
Aritzia’s Super Puff series caters to practically any desire you could ever have within the realm of down outerwear. We find ourselves gravitating towards this all-white cropped number—perfect to pair with blue jeans.
The Frankie Shop Oversized Hooded Puffer Coat
$385
Sometimes you need to throw caution to the wind and stand out amidst a sea of black, navy, and grey outerwear. This marigold hue is a breath of fresh air and will liven up any winter look.
Zara Oversized Puffer Coat
$90
We love when we find a riff on the typical puffer stitching—case in point: this diamond pattern. The oversize fit will allow all your chunky sweaters to fit underneath.
Nanushka Hide Vegan Leather Puffer Jacket
$540
We’re already obsessed with all of Nanushka’s vegan leather options, so we were of course thrilled to see they had outfitted a puffer in the signature rendering. This may be the chicest puffer we’ve ever seen.
Canada Goose Shelburne Parka
$995
The most ubiquitous puffer in all of New York, the classic Canada Goose style backs up the investment with intense down fabric to keep you warm all day long.
Norma Kamali Boyfriend Sleeping Bag Oversized Padded Coat
$1,010
Does this one even need explaining? It seems Norma Kamali has fulfilled our dreams of walking around in a blanket all day long.
Woolrich Padded Mid-length Coat
$521
If this is your first puffer purchase, we recommend starting with a simple black style. It will literally go with everything in your wardrobe (and it will have to).
Ushatáva Midi Puffer
$279
Another blanket-like option, this oversize style can be worn loose or with a self belt to create some sort of shape.
H&M Oversized Jacket
$60 $30
If you want to inject a bit of color into your cold-weather wardrobe, try a shocking red hue like the above puffer. Not to mention, the price cannot be beat.
Top photo: Courtesy of Instagram/@aritzia
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