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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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justasking111 · 26/10/2025 18:24

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 accidentally discovered one day that a faux fur keeps out the rain and the wind on a long dog walk when the weather turned as it does in wild wet Wales. It was a turning point for me.

Try it if you own one.

MotherOfCats71 · 26/10/2025 18:24

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Womens-Puffer-Jacket-Belt-Comfortable/dp/B0DK76CL7C

Cheap and cheerful 😊

ProcrastinatorsAnonymous · 26/10/2025 18:23

mamabird2984 · 26/10/2025 18:02

I think I’ve seen Orla Kiely patterned ones, might be worth a look? https://www.regatta.com/orla-kiely-collection/

These are nice - marketed as changing robes, so I wonder how warm they are in comparison with ye olde puffa?

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ProcrastinatorsAnonymous · 26/10/2025 18:21

DiscoDown18 · 26/10/2025 18:19

I just bought one from Lighthouse. I really wanted a colour (they had quite a few options) but went for a black one as it was cheaper. I've always been irrationally against puffer jackets and now after wearing one all this weekend I have discovered exactly how cosy they are.

That's where they get you...

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ProcrastinatorsAnonymous · 26/10/2025 18:20

MrsMaudeLebowski · 26/10/2025 18:02

Two patterned options for you:
The Nova Scotia coat from Gudrun Sjoden.
Would a changing robe do the job? Regatta has a few designed by Orla Kiely

Thank you! I like this, although hard to tell how thick it actually is. Have you ever bought anything from this brand? I haven't come across them before.

OP posts:
gamerchick · 26/10/2025 18:19

You could always get something you plug into a battery and it heats up a back panel. There are waistcoats and body warmers.

DiscoDown18 · 26/10/2025 18:19

I just bought one from Lighthouse. I really wanted a colour (they had quite a few options) but went for a black one as it was cheaper. I've always been irrationally against puffer jackets and now after wearing one all this weekend I have discovered exactly how cosy they are.

NormaSears · 26/10/2025 18:19

@ProcrastinatorsAnonymous , they've been around for decades and they're called puffers because Puffa was the brand name.

ProcrastinatorsAnonymous · 26/10/2025 18:18

cestlavielife · 26/10/2025 18:10

Weekend Walks Cosy Emb Parka | Womenswear | Joe Browns https://share.google/wobWfm1dZxxtXwBPm

Long padded jacket with belt Women's I Desigual.com https://share.google/G4UGjUYzo6F5ZE5nQ

Ooh - that second Desigual one is a strong contender. Much better without the belt (the only thing worse than a puffer jacket is a puffer jacket with a belt!) and the texture looks nicer than standard puffer jackets too... Thank you!

OP posts:
singthing · 26/10/2025 18:18

I saw a woman in a canary yellow full length one some months ago. She looked amazing and so cheerful! So yes they definitely exist!

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.

eatreadsleeprepeat · 26/10/2025 18:15

Try TKMaxx, they had masses today though not many really bright. Joules sometimes has brighter ones as does (or at least did) Superdry.

WhatWouldChristineCagneyDo · 26/10/2025 18:14

I bought a grey & burgundy stripy one on Vinted a while back, an original 80s Puffa brand one. It's more like a long jacket than a coat and one of the warmest things I own.
I never thought I'd own a Puffa as I've always hated the Michelin - Man in black thing but this one is great. Hair up in a scarf and long boots and I run about pretending I'm Princess Anne just popping down to the stables 😂

soupyspoon · 26/10/2025 18:14

Nice thread. Completely agree with you OP

They're ugly, frumpy, dont care if they come in 'nice' colours they're horrible

I havent got one. I probably do need one because I get cold but as another poster correctly states, they are an abomination.

I bought 3 wool coats last year, very nicely cut, smart. Cant wear them with a jumper underneath. Not as warm as a puffer (urgh) but thats what Im going to wear.

ProcrastinatorsAnonymous · 26/10/2025 18:14

PorpoiseWithPurpose · 26/10/2025 18:10

Do you actually need to wear a puffa coat?

Layering works well. A good wool jumper or chunky knit under a trench coat or tailored overcoat can be just as warm, especially if the coat is lined or made from dense wool.

Puffas are fugly. No one looks good in them.

On a bike, so need something v durable, waterproof and warm, with a hood... Puffer works practically - would just like something with enough colour - and ideally pattern to detract from the fact that it's a puffer!

OP posts:
Laiste · 26/10/2025 18:14

The arms always seem too short on them for me. And i don't have very long arms!

I bought a white one for standing in the freezing wind during Covid school pick up.

It did its job but i looked and felt like a large maggot.

ProcrastinatorsAnonymous · 26/10/2025 18:11

Butteredtoast55 · 26/10/2025 18:05

I agree, and don't get me started on long puffer gillets!

Indeed. Why sacrifice style entirely in favour of warmth - but then forget the arms? Madness.

OP posts:
PorpoiseWithPurpose · 26/10/2025 18:10

Do you actually need to wear a puffa coat?

Layering works well. A good wool jumper or chunky knit under a trench coat or tailored overcoat can be just as warm, especially if the coat is lined or made from dense wool.

Puffas are fugly. No one looks good in them.

cestlavielife · 26/10/2025 18:10

Weekend Walks Cosy Emb Parka | Womenswear | Joe Browns https://share.google/wobWfm1dZxxtXwBPm

Long padded jacket with belt Women's I Desigual.com https://share.google/G4UGjUYzo6F5ZE5nQ

Weekend Walks Cosy Embroidered Parka

https://www.joebrowns.co.uk/weekend-walks-cosy-embroidered-parka-wj737#colour=640

nonevernotever · 26/10/2025 18:10

Oops should have rtft first. I see several other people have already suggested Gudrun sjoden

MayaPinion · 26/10/2025 18:09

I hate all rainwear. I hate the noise the make, the feel of them, their ‘functionality’ at the expense of interest or fashion, and their sheer unattractiveness. I have one of those big Joules yellow fisherman coat things for emergencies and the last time a wore it, a homeless guy, a guy who literally lived in a shop doorway, sneered ‘nice coat’ and then LAUGHED. I am generous of nork so a proper puffer coat makes me look like the over inflated offspring of Phil Mitchell and the Michelin Man. No solutions I’m afraid. Just solidarity 🤜🤛