Cute, comfortable, and incredibly warm life jackets are the MVP of any winter wardrobe. But when it comes to finding the right bellows, the choices can be overwhelming: Do you choose artificial or artificial? Black or light color? Cut or whole blanket wearable?
To get you started, we talked to professional stylists about their favorite puffer tops for men and women in a variety of lengths, thicknesses, and price points. Shop their picks below to stay tasty and stylish no matter how cold it gets.
Fashion director, stylist and junk shop owner Loredana Buonopane says that while this Gap jacket “looks heavy,” it “doesn’t have the Michelin Man effect that many coats can give you.” Gap’s jacket is also made from recycled materials and features a waterproof, warm Primaloft lining, making it a great choice for anyone looking to avoid falls.
fashion stylist Liz Rundbaken praised the “beautiful fit” of this affordable jacket and loved that it had “basic warmth features like a high collar”. The jacket is available in sage, black or beige and comes in sizes XS to 4XL.
New York City-based clothing stylist Gloria Cospito Love this stylish and practical Banana Republic life jacket: “The straps on the inside of the jacket make it really unique — they let you drape the jacket over your shoulders without having to run your hands through the sleeves. ” This jacket has a comfortable fit that’s great for layering and 100% filling.
Though pricey, Rundbaken says the Canada Goose jacket is “worth every penny” and calls her own Canada Goose “one of the smartest wardrobe investments I’ve ever bought. That’s the number one reason why I’m no longer afraid of winter in New York.” She specifically recommends Alliston Parka because “it’s more fashion-oriented than technical,” adding that “all Canada Goose products are now compliant with the Responsible Standard.”
Cassandra Sethi, a personal stylist and image consultant with Next level wardrobe, calls Woolrich “the right choice for cold-weather needs” and praises the Prescott Parka’s wide hood and flexible length. The jacket is available in dark blue, forest green, black or ivory and has a hidden zipper for a better fit.
Uniqlo dominates the world of affordable winter clothing, and Rundbaken says that the brand’s “ultra-light” life jackets are “great for layering to instantly warm any jacket or Which sweater?” She especially loves this shorter model, which comes in four colors and comes with a handy travel pouch.
Aritzia’s super popular Super Puffs come in a variety of colors and fabrics. Cospito is particularly fond of the “liquid shiny finish,” which turns the jacket into “an interesting piece.” All the Super Puffs are also very, very warm, with clearly sourced goose feathers and a temperature rating of minus 4 degrees Fahrenheit.
If you really want to stand out in the sea of black winter coats, Rundbaken recommends this shorter, more colorful version of Gap’s heavyweight life jacket. “It comes in some gorgeous vibrant colors to combat the winter gloom,” she says, including bright fuchsia, fire truck red and icy blue. And like most Gap clothing, this jacket comes in a regular size, petite and tall.
This super-portable Free People jacket folds into its own pocket, meaning you can easily stash it in your suitcase (or even use it as a travel pillow) when not wearing it. With vivid color options like the Magenta Disco (pictured above), Cospito calls it “an eye-catching layered piece that will work through early spring and into fall.”
A&F Vegan Leather Mini Puffer
$180 at Abercrombie
Buonopane likes that this Abercrombie & Fitch jacket is “like a combination of a motorcycle jacket and a puffer jacket.” The cropped length also makes it great to wear with high-waisted jeans. If you’re not ready for a bold leather finish, the stylish cut comes in a variety of fabric and color options (including cream faux mohair and plaid wool blends).
H&M hooded life jacket
$50 at H&M
This H&M jacket features a recycled polyester and lining, and has moderate volume. “I like how the length just covers the booty and the drawstring at the bottom keeps the wind out,” says Rundbaken. She also loves how “the hood is neatly paired with the high padded collar” and of course, the $50 jacket. In addition to the three neutral brown tones, you can also combine it with red and black.
Sethi liked that the design details of this hip-length puffer “was very well done to keep the cold out. It includes thumb holes, an adjustable hood and a zippered pocket.” REI’s sizes run from XS to 2XL and come in three different colors.
“Pipe jackets often look heavy, so I like this lightweight jacket with its thick material and adjustable waist,” says Sethi. The coat is classic black, creamy white or light green.
You’re sure to stand out in this glamorous Michael Kors jacket, which Buonopane says reminds her of “the space age ’60s ski bunny.” She adds that “if metallic silver makes you feel a bit out of place, it should be black.”
Rundbaken recommends this classic parka from LLBean, a brand known for its quality cold-weather apparel and excellent customer service. This parka is one of the warmest the company makes, with 650 layers of DownTek insulation and a wind and rainproof shell. It comes in three colors and both regular and tall sizes
Uniqlo also has a great selection of puffer tops for men. Rundbaken loves this waterproof, windproof model, which features a sleek matte finish and seamless cut. The hood is also fully removable, while the clear stand-up collar helps keep the jacket warm and office ready.
Buonopane loves that this Alpha Industries jacket has many handy pockets and an adjustable hood that will “get you through any winter storm”. It comes in black, black camo or dark army green and those looking to avoid feathers will be happy to know it’s made from 100% polyester.
“The fleece-lined hood makes this puffer a winter staple,” says Cospito. The roof also has neoprene trim on the cuffs to keep warm.
For outdoor adventures on the coldest days of the year, Rundbaken recommends Fjallraven’s super-warm Expedition Parka. It combines the unparalleled insulation of ethically sourced feathers with the water resistance of synthetic fillers, and features an adjustable hood, opening pockets on both sides and top and two-way zipper.
Rundbaken likes that this windproof, quick-drying jacket comes in a variety of vibrant colors (eight to be exact!) and features a faux fur lining for added warmth and comfort. She also praises Save the Ducks for creating animal and planet-friendly jackets that don’t compromise on cold-weather performance.
Cospito loves the bright blue color of this Banana Republic 100% fluff down jacket as well as the fact that it “has hands-free straps on the inside for over-the-shoulder wear.” This jacket also has a storm flap behind the front zipper to keep cool.
With a stand-up collar, zip fastening, and seam pockets, this sleek Vince jacket is perfect for when you want a warm coat that’s more office-appropriate than outerwear. “The herringbone is a classic textile design,” says Sethi, adding that it “really elevates this puffer jacket.”
To stay warm without being bulky, Sethi recommends this lightweight option from Filson. “I love the vertical quilting on this jacket, and the Primaloft Gold insulation has excellent performance properties as an alternative to down,” she says. The jacket comes in sizes XS to 3XL and is available in black, olive gray or ocher yellow.
This stylish ASOS life jacket comes in a variety of sizes from 2XS to 4XL with four additional options to accommodate longer-bodied tops. Other than that, it’s pretty affordable at just under $70.
While it’s purely a gimmick, Buonopane likes that this bold Burberry jacket has the brand’s “iconic plaid” and is super warm while making “a statement”.
