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"

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!

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

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.

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

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.

That's where they get you...

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

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

Cheap and cheerful 😊

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!!

https://www.gudrunsjoden.com/en-gb/clothes/coats-jackets-women/nova-scotia-quilted-woven-organic-cotton-coat-madder-red-s
comes in other colours too.

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

https://www.next.co.uk/style/su427154/ab6882?gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=18535724358&gbraid=0AAAAADm_5UWdJmfj9CyfbqJAxsMohbAJZ&gclid=CjwKCAjwjffHBhBuEiwAKMb8pFOMmYxPPXzxgGOTWDwUxym_mBfMvHD3OFjx0g9s7U7wr-WusX4quxoCo5gQAvD_BwE

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!

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!

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

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!

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.

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...

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 🐢

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.

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.