To Think My Puffer Coat Is Making Me Depressed

[ProcrastinatorsAnonymous]

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"

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

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

I have a Rab down coat and I wear it dog walking, hiking, camping and I’ve never needed to wash it! What are you doing with them that needs them washing so often?

Gudrun Sjoden have got this cheerful patterned one at the moment
www.gudrunsjoden.com/en-gb/clothes/coats-jackets-women/nova-scotia-quilted-woven-organic-cotton-coat-verona-green-s

I would've agreed with you wholeheartedly until we moved house and our school run became a school cycle. Through biting wind that rips through every other type of coat I've tried. And freezing rain. And hail. Kids are toasty under the cargo bike cover. I'm the schmuck freezing my tits off in the saddle - so practicality had to win, and it turns out that dressing yourself in an abominable duvet is actually really warm. Albeit depressing.

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

Scamp and Dude have some lovely brightly coloured ones.

I teach reception. I’m constantly filthy. Mud kitchens, climbing, blood, paint.

Love their shorter ones, but they don't have bright ones long enough to go under my butt on the bike!

Gudrun sjoden do a patterned quilted one, but I don't know if it's waterproof. https://www.gudrunsjoden.com/en-gb/clothes/coats-jackets-women/nova-scotia-quilted-woven-organic-cotton-coat-verona-green-s

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 🤜🤛

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

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

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.

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

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.

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!

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.

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 😂

https://hollandscountryclothing.co.uk/products/didriksons-womens-marion-parka
This one comes in a fabulous bright orange.

could this be a contender @ProcrastinatorsAnonymous?

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

https://hollandscountryclothing.co.uk/products/craghoppers-womens-fellbarrow-hooded-jacket

This one comes in red, and sage green.

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.

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!