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To Think My Puffer Coat Is Making Me Depressed

359 replies

ProcrastinatorsAnonymous · 26/10/2025 17:24

I hate puffer** coats. I hate them so much. The shape, the texture, the dull colours. It might be shallow, but I find nice clothes an easy way to boost my mood. I like colour, surprising combinations, interesting shapes... However, various lifestyle changes mean I'm outside much more than I used to be, so a couple of years ago I caved and bought one from Uniqlo. It works. It keeps me both dry and warm. As all the marketing promises, I do indeed feel like I am wearing my duvet - which I admit can be quite nice.

But now the weather has turned, the thought of putting it on is making me so sad! I can't rot away in this slug-like thing from now until March.

Has anyone found a decent knee length one with a hood in a colour other than black, grey, khaki, navy, sludge brown or beige? I would love electric blue or bright green, or - god forbid - even a pattern. Does such a thing exist? I'm wiling to pay for it. Cheaper than therapy.

** I hate it even more when people spell it "puffa coat"

OP posts:
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Holluschickie · 05/11/2025 11:20

This winter it's so mild in London I may not ever get out a puffer. I have been wearing tweed jackets off Vinted with a packaway waterproof.

Lotusflow · 05/11/2025 11:13

I binned mine, and I live very rurally and they are practical. But they’re absolutely hideous things and I couldn’t bring myself to wear such a ghastly, generic item. I have nice wax jackets for walking and just layer up with good thermals and knitwear. Then wool nice coats for dry days, etc.

NormaSears · 05/11/2025 11:10

@NotMyKidsThough , as posted by many others already.

Winter coats tend to be dreary colours. If you opt for synthetic coats they're usually in anorak colours like teal, purple, pink, beige etc.

NotMyKidsThough · 05/11/2025 10:53

ProcrastinatorsAnonymous · 26/10/2025 17:24

I hate puffer** coats. I hate them so much. The shape, the texture, the dull colours. It might be shallow, but I find nice clothes an easy way to boost my mood. I like colour, surprising combinations, interesting shapes... However, various lifestyle changes mean I'm outside much more than I used to be, so a couple of years ago I caved and bought one from Uniqlo. It works. It keeps me both dry and warm. As all the marketing promises, I do indeed feel like I am wearing my duvet - which I admit can be quite nice.

But now the weather has turned, the thought of putting it on is making me so sad! I can't rot away in this slug-like thing from now until March.

Has anyone found a decent knee length one with a hood in a colour other than black, grey, khaki, navy, sludge brown or beige? I would love electric blue or bright green, or - god forbid - even a pattern. Does such a thing exist? I'm wiling to pay for it. Cheaper than therapy.

** I hate it even more when people spell it "puffa coat"

But... but... but....Puffa were (are?) a major UK brand that were one of the first to make big padded overcoats....

I agree though, black is such a stupid colour for an English winter. Who wants to look as if they're going to a funeral in Northenr Ireland in the 1980s?

rockstarshoes · 01/11/2025 08:59

I had this red one from House of Bruar last year as I felt the same as you. Needed a new one but just couldn’t face another black one!

To Think My Puffer Coat Is Making Me Depressed
Erksome · 31/10/2025 15:50

I have just sold one hideous puffer on vinted. I already feel better.

Lazygardener · 31/10/2025 14:58

I used to have one (black). I looked like those hay bales you see rolled up and packed in plastic. When I lost a lot of weight it went in the bin and I bought a duffel coat. Just as warm, hardly stylish, channelling Paddington Bear, but no more puffer jackets for me.

fishingfor · 31/10/2025 14:52

Enrichetta · 26/10/2025 17:26

I bought an electric blue puffer coat - I call it my duvet coat - from Landsend during lockdown. They had lots of bright colours.

Edited

Is it battery operated or on a long lead?

Aluna · 31/10/2025 10:53

ProcrastinatorsAnonymous · 30/10/2025 17:52

We don't have a car. Where we live suits every other member of my family - particularly my kids - I can't uproot them again.

Kids are flexible. It’s difficult to have a happy childhood if your mother’s miserable. You need two reasonably contented parents.

If you don’t have a car you need to live somewhere with excellent transport links. Or to live round the corner from the school.

School runs on a bike in winter should have been vetoed from the off.

I hope you can give yourself permission to believe that everyone’s happiness matters, and that yours is important for your kids. And you find the strength to get out of this overly sacrificial mindset.

PuffasAreAce · 31/10/2025 01:45

overwhelmedsinglema · 27/10/2025 22:58

The only thing worse than a full length puffer jacket is a full length sleeveless puffer jacket!

How about ones with no sleeves or even armholes?

To Think My Puffer Coat Is Making Me Depressed
Frequentlyincorrectbut · 30/10/2025 23:16

OP, you have as much right to be happy as any other family member. I moved once because one person (not me) was unhappy, and if one person is very unhappy, it is not ok. Children will and do adjust to moves, but living somewhere and a life that isn't yours will take its toll over time. I hope you find a way through, and have a lovely colourful coat in the meantime (if that doesn't sound too patronising). BTW, I bought a colourful coat off Vinted this week, it's not a puffa but it is light coloured and I thought how much nicer than a black or navy coat it would be in winter, partly because of this thread.

ProcrastinatorsAnonymous · 30/10/2025 17:56

TMMC1 · 28/10/2025 08:30

Sorry you are lonely. I was answering your question. If you wanted a chat for loneliness be honest, your replies would be more constructive.

If you do want a coat, the one I mentioned is super warm, technical and I wear that coat in the coldest weather with a t-shirt.

Your question made me reflect on why am in fact so bothered by it...

OP posts:
ProcrastinatorsAnonymous · 30/10/2025 17:52

Aluna · 28/10/2025 09:01

I’m sorry to hear you’re not happy living where you are. The only solution to that is to move and create the life you want. What are the constraints keeping you there right now?

Every stylish 20something thinks they’ll never do the “Young mother” look. But then have kids and grow up and realise there’s more to life than mere style.

A practical coat you need for a particular activity does not define you. I’d just get the most warm, most waterproof and most comfy one for the bike rides and get something more stylish for country walks. (Is there a reason you can’t take the car?)

We don't have a car. Where we live suits every other member of my family - particularly my kids - I can't uproot them again.

OP posts:
Blondiney · 29/10/2025 21:27

I saw a woman today wearing a bright, bright orange one. It was hideous of course but it was cheerful and made me smile

Petitchat · 29/10/2025 17:10

SteakBakesAndHotTakes · 26/10/2025 17:42

Look for a belted one? At least they have more of a shape.

e: Or a belted wool trench coat. Those are equally warm and look really nice. Expensive but I'm sure you could get a nice one on Vinted as well

Edited

I look even worse in a belted one.
Like a Michelin Tyre man with a belt......

Fleek76 · 29/10/2025 15:20

THanks @TwistedKeys and yes why is pocket quality such a problem with puffers it seems!!

Are they thick and warm?

TwistedKeys · 29/10/2025 14:39

I have two desigual puffer jackets. They look in great condition after around 4 winters. But the pocket quality is shit. I have to mend the pocket bags every single year, so the pockets are getting smaller.

They are water resistant rather than waterproof.

Fleek76 · 29/10/2025 14:31

Don't feel quite the same hate to the puffer, but my preferred option for being on the bike every day in a very rainy country is a waterproof jacket from America Today. I have the non shearling version for spring / autumn and shearling for winter. They are not expensive and although perhaps not quite as warm as a puffer, much more waterproof, good hood, and fine for the coldest winter days if you layer up and have hat gloves etc.

However I did want to ask (/hijack thread, sorry)) - anyone have experience of Desigual puffer quality? REally very tempted with that electric blue one up the thread. It looks very cosy but is it?

Swimmum1206 · 29/10/2025 14:01

I got one from this company. I got it from a independent retailer and it was last years' design so half price in the sale. It's so colourful and also extremely warm:
YASSIMILLY PADDED JACKET | Grey | YAS® UK

YASSIMILLY PADDED JACKET | Grey | YAS® UK

Buy YASSIMILLY PADDED JACKET (Grey) YAS® | Explore our collection of women's Outerwear online! ✓ 100 day returns

https://www.y-a-s.com/en-gb/yassimilly-padded-jacket-26027218_Birch_1222414.html

VictoriaEra2 · 28/10/2025 18:30

IbizaToTheNorfolkBroads · 26/10/2025 18:41

The green one. Emerald.

SpoonyKhakiHelper · 28/10/2025 15:28

they were actually originally called Puffa jackets…it’s not a typo… it was a brand in the 1980s beloved of horsey types and Sloane Rangers. Apparently the term ‘puffer’ took over by 2013! 😆

To Think My Puffer Coat Is Making Me Depressed
ProfoundlyPeculiarAndWeird · 28/10/2025 13:53

Strawberryfields4ever · 28/10/2025 12:17

Electric as in colour or is it actually electric because I would buy it if it was

I was offered an electrically heated gilet last winter to wear during an activity in a fearsomely cold workshop.

I declined because I was too WTF??? to even think about putting it on.

ProfoundlyPeculiarAndWeird · 28/10/2025 13:50

I've just seen an entire puffer family out for a walk. (They had a little dog that thankfully wasn't puffered, tho I'm sure there are doggy puffer coats available.)

The woman had a long puffer coat, and dad & boys had short ones. Made me realise that it's only the long ones that are depressing.

Also, the puffs on the male coats were very skinny lines of puff, which made their coats look like technical hiking gear - a brisk and active vibe that was much less depressing than the puffier puffs of the woman's coat.

Kittencuddler · 28/10/2025 13:11

I hate them too everyone looks a stone heavier in them even if they are skinny

plus so many aren’t even waterproof these days either !!