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Original poster

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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averythinline · 26/10/2025 18:44

Check out didrikson coats/parkas... Definetely waterproof.. various levels of warmth..I have 1 that i think has thermal lining so not too bulky.. and wear layers if needef even in iceland in February ..thermal long sleeve plus jumper and possibly a fleece on coldest day .. not patterned but usually range of colours...
I have a short patterned puffer from gap in the sale a few years back... Never seen anything else like it.... But not amazing in heavy rain..and short
Can't do most puffers.. can't stand the noise and fabric..

balticdotcom · 26/10/2025 18:43

I feel you. Absolutely hate puffer coats with a passion and guess what?? I’ve never owned one, and you don’t have to either 😄. Donate it, get a nice wool coat, or a nice warm waterproof coat. Get a hat, umbrella, scarf gloves! There’s loads of ways to stay warm and dry without the puffer coats! Free yourself 🥳🥳🤣🤣

IbizaToTheNorfolkBroads · 26/10/2025 18:43

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lifeonmars100 · 26/10/2025 18:43

I hate them, when I go out it seems that almost everyone, male and female is wearing a version of a black quilted puffer.puffa coat or jacket.. It looks almost like the national costume and I wonder how the police would ever track anyone down if the main part of the clothing description is "the offender was wearing a black mid length puffer coat". Are they warm, I am guessing that warmth must be the attraction?

Howtoaccept · 26/10/2025 18:41

Laiste · 26/10/2025 17:48

Excuse grammar trying to type while answering DHs daft questions about lemons.

@Laiste I have nothing to add on puffs coats apart from general dislike. Complete derail what was the silly question about the lemon? 🍋

Original poster
ProcrastinatorsAnonymous · 26/10/2025 18:41

Thanks so much for all the suggestions - I'll go through them! To those of you saying you wouldn't be seen dead in an abominable puffer and have a nice wool option - enjoy it. I once lived a glamorous life with a wool coat. I mourn that life. Treasure it.

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VictoriaEra2 · 26/10/2025 18:39

I have a lovely one from Hobbs. Full length and about five years old. Emerald green. The only puffer I’ve ever liked.

Crikeyalmighty · 26/10/2025 18:39

@Nothungrycatreally strange you mentioned that- I have literally just been going through my coats after reading this thread and discovered under another jacket a nice sludge greenish parka with a pretty flower motif on it with fur hood - didn’t wear it for years as put weight on - lo and behold after losing a couple of stone since April - it fits and looks loads better than my shapeless puffa !!! Yay !

Florencelatsy · 26/10/2025 18:39

I bought the Next Little Bird adults puffer coat a few months ago, its pastel rainbow coloured. Not sure if its still in stock? I too love bright happy clothing and am envious of gorgeous kids clothing full of pattern and colour! I purchased a toadstool pink and red print gilet from Boden earlier this year and always get compliments on it.

RosesAndHellebores · 26/10/2025 18:38

The only one I have ever liked had a ruched (at the back) section to give it a waist, was well cut, fairly light and the cuffs/collar were velvet trimmed. It was a deep greyish/mushroomy/pinky/beige so worked for a summer like me. It's only downside was that it was in Liberty, I don't recall the make but I do recall it was £1795. TBF I'd have paid £500 for it.

I have a waterproof under which I can wear a thermal fleece.

A short, lightweight puffa jacket from M&S £69, black, but I jolly it up with a scarf and it's perfect for the car.

An old black swing coat with fur collar that comes out when I am off somewhere smart.

A petrol blue, casual wool coat.

If it's really cold I use the car
If it's really wet I use an umbrella

If it's cold, wet and/or icy, I don't go out. No dogs, no children.

I too remember the old puffas. I bought one in the early 80s from a shop in Dover Street I think. It had navy and white stripes and I wore it for years.

MyDeftDuck · 26/10/2025 18:35

I don’t like those long sleeveless puffer things. Our neighbour has a khaki green one that’s three sizes too big…….makes her look like a tortoise when she wears it 🐢

Original poster
ProcrastinatorsAnonymous · 26/10/2025 18:33

istolethetalisker · 26/10/2025 17:54

I can’t stand the swish swish sound of puffers. I can usually stay warm with a million layers on - vest, top, thick cardigan, thick scarf, wool coat with lining.

But my friend has a very gorgeous Lucy & Yak puffer jacket a bit like this: https://lucyandyak.com/collections/jackets/products/paloma-puffer-jacket-in-grunge-ditsy-floral

Oh Jesus the SOUND - I'd forgotten about the sound. Another reason to feel depressed about digging the bastard thing out again.

I love that L&Y one but they don't do longer lengths and I need it to go under my bum on the bike...

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QuaintPanda · 26/10/2025 18:33

Wellenstein (I have bright pink)
Vaude (we have orange and electric blue)
Linea Primero
Columbia

Look in hiking/climbing shops rather than high street chains.

WiddlinDiddlin · 26/10/2025 18:32

My Mum had a down filled 'duvet' coat long before Puffa were a brand - they just cornered the market in these items as fashion wear rather than just sports/extreme conditions equipment.

Mums was dark blue with a really bright yellow lining. Think she got it in the late 60s in possibly France or Switzerland.

By the by, anyway, they are fugly as fk, and I definitely couldn't cycle in one, would get really sweaty armpits - for active AND warm, thats what the gilet style is for!

I've just looked at the insulating cycling jackets (which are longer at the back so your bum doesn't freeze).., frankly, they're uglier!

Baconking · 26/10/2025 18:32

There's a patterned one in White Stuff but not a very exciting pattern. Might look better in real life

Nothungrycat · 26/10/2025 18:32

As a fatter woman, I can't wear puffa jackets/coats - they make me look entirely spherical. My alternative, and very waterproof, alternative is a Seasalt parka, some of which come with zipped in fleece linings and others with quilted insides. Many different colours!

Original poster
ProcrastinatorsAnonymous · 26/10/2025 18:31

BaronessBomburst · 26/10/2025 17:53

What size are you? I'm 5'6", average build and can wear M&S boys' aged 16 coats; they have a lovely red puffer this year. It's a shorter length though.
Could you pass as a 16 year old girl?
pink coat

I am not tiny, but have no tits and so have occasionally got away with Age 16 girls. They do make much nicer, brighter coats for kids - so this suggestion might not be as mad as it sounds!

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Original poster
ProcrastinatorsAnonymous · 26/10/2025 18:28

PotolKimchi · 26/10/2025 18:25

As someone who lived somewhere very very cold, the key is to find something waterproof and warm. Patagonia has a 3 in 1 coat that is long, waterproof and is not a ‘puffer’ aka doesn’t look like a duvet. I have a coat from Fjallraven Kanken that is also like that and is ridiculously warm.

Thank you - will look into both. Do you find these legit as warm as a puffer?

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Tomorrowtodaywhenever · 26/10/2025 18:28

Omg same. I have had mine in every day for a month now and I feel so dowdy.
I saw a lovely faux fur coat in hobbs the other say and thought.. shall I.... can I 😂
The reality is I have boys and am often hauling muddy equipment in and out of the car and it would be a wreck in a short time.
I might still buy it though!!

Original poster
ProcrastinatorsAnonymous · 26/10/2025 18:27

Boobyslims · 26/10/2025 18:17

Puffa is the correct term, after the brand that launched them!

I get the hate, and I caved two years ago. My friend was coat shopping in TKMaxx and I was telling her how much I hated THESE types of coats, pulled one off the hanger and tried it on. We walked about browsing, it was time for her to go and pay and me to remove the coat, when I found I couldn’t be parted from it. I had to buy the damn thing. It can be warm but it never overheats me, snuggly, yet very light. Down filled bastard coat. I love it for winter. I have to haul it out of the spare room. It marks the start of winter for me. It is brown and has a fur bit around the face. All my hates. But it doesn’t have a belt. I cannot STAND a puffa with a belt. That’s just too much.

Down Filled Bastard Coat. This is what I am calling it from now on!

And I am WITH you on the belt. Why is a "cinched in" slug better than a slug? Now you just look like a slug that tried to slime its way through a small opening and became stuck.

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Fairydustand · 26/10/2025 18:26

Well, I thought I was the only person who can't stand puffa coats.Tried one on once,I looked enormous in it.I know they serve a function but they lack originality.Layers and a wool coat with a scarfe, hat and gloves keep me warm.

PotolKimchi · 26/10/2025 18:25

As someone who lived somewhere very very cold, the key is to find something waterproof and warm. Patagonia has a 3 in 1 coat that is long, waterproof and is not a ‘puffer’ aka doesn’t look like a duvet. I have a coat from Fjallraven Kanken that is also like that and is ridiculously warm.