Chic Puffer Jackets

I am digging the fact that puffer jackets are now chic. I can clearly remember when my love affair with the puffer jacket began. It was February, 1976. My father had just moved us from Martinsville, VA to Lake Forest, IL. It was the middle of the school year. I had never heard of Dean’s sweaters or L.L. Bean, and it was averaging about 50 degrees below zero outside. All of the cool girls were wearing these big, blue or green puffy jackets that made them look as if they had a sleeping bag wrapped around their torsos and I wanted one. I knew that if I only had one of those jackets then everyone would forget the Holly Hobbie purse that I carried to school on my first day (a fashion disaster of epic proportions).

Sadly, I never got the jacket. They were expensive and my father was frugal. The ski jacket that I did get was actually much cuter, but it was poly filled not down filled. And so my phantom desire for the puffer jacket remained until two years ago when my very sweet mother bought me a fabulous, 3/4 sleeve Herno puffer jacket similar to the one below.

Incredibly lightweight but filled with goose down, it is as warm as it is chic. Furthermore, the coat travels like a dream. I wear mine all the time. The shorter sleeves make it ideal for LA as does the length. Mine hits at the waist. However, there are longer styles for those of you in colder climates. The jackets are expensive, but worth it. There’s a nice selection featured here.

Another fabulous designer of high end puffer jackets is Moncler. In my mind, they were really the first to make the puffer jacket chic and they had the most delicious ad campaign by Bruce Webber full of golden retrievers and half naked men. I love the ones that are shiny, almost like vinyl, with a bit of swing like the Agnes featured below. Of course, they make the Herno look cheap, but then again, they are divine.

If you are in the mood for something a little bit sportier, this silver puffer jacket from Ivy Park is a chic twist on the classic down jacket. Leave it to Queen B to design something that will look as good on the slopes as it will on Park Avenue. Sadly, everyone must have agreed since it’s sold out, but this vest from Old Navy is in the same vein and a steal at $35.

Speaking of great deals, Uniqlo has some darling options at incredible prices. I love this one probably because it reminds me, in terms of shape, of my Herno. You can wear it like a cardigan or a coat, dress it up or down depending on your accessories. All for under $60. Gotta love those Japanese…..

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Here’s my suggestion. How about this holiday season, you treat yourself like you would treat your best friend and buy yourself a present. Any of these would be perfect. Growing up, my mother used to buy herself a Christmas present every year, wrap it in beautiful paper, and put it under the tree with a tag that read: “Merry Christmas Winnie. Love, Winnie.” All I can say about that is “smart woman”.