From winter armor to must-have status symbol, puffer jackets have been off the peaks and on the street for a long time. Early on, brands like Moncler and Canada Goose were the shiny $1000 and up objects that told people you knew what you were doing and could afford to do it. But over time, brands like these and their predictable styles became ubiquitous and synonymous with having no style at all. People started looking for something unrecognizable, even plain — remember “The Amazon Coat”? A boxy, not stylish but weirdly attractive winter parka that went viral. And now they’re shoved away in closets (most likely in navy, black, or army green).
A good puffer no longer must be a particular brand to stand out, but it should do more than just keep us warm. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with looking smart while staying toasty. Luckily, you can find stylish puffers at almost every price point. Our advice: take a break from the standard mid-length in black and go for something cropped or ankle-length in a poppy color with a little pattern, texture or shine.