Many moons ago, Charles James patented the first fashion puffer jacket. “His white satin swan’s down evening jacket from 1938 is the prototype for every puffer jacket,” Vogue’s Hamish Bowles told the Chicago Tribune. Bowles, who saw the boudoir-inspired design on display at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, recalled thinking “how astonishingly modern it was.”
Modern indeed. Cut to 2016 and the style once sported in a utilitarian manner by idiosyncratic style icons like Eddie Bauer and Miranda Hobbes has been the dominant fall outwear trend for several years running. Helped along by Karl Lagerfeld, Stella McCartney, Demna Gvasalia (of Balenciaga) and Kanye West, voluminous, multidimensional puffer jackets have successfully transitioned from après–ski wear to everyday wear.
Rihanna wears her sleeping bag-sized puffer jackets over silky, feminine pieces. She even wears them in the summer, when allowing the fabric to fall off her shoulders is as much a matter of survival as it is style. Her ex-bae Drake wears his as he waits for his hotline to bling. We wear them because, like the athleisure trend, they keep us cozy with the added benefit of making us look plugged in.
With winter just around the corner (we imagine), puffer jackets are already flying off the shelves as quickly as their heft and mass will allow. Needless to say, we’re getting in on the down-filled action. Click through the slideshow below for 20 of the best puffer jackets of the moment — some of them investment pieces, some of them very necessary (and affordable) fast-fashion knockoffs. And because we have to wait until the thick of February to see how Gvasalia recommends wearing the trend next (or whether he’s moved on entirely), we’ve offered up some fashion-forward styling tricks of our own.
Puffer Jackets
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Ivy Park
Dive headfirst into the trend in this oversized aluminum number. Channel Queen Bey's Destiny's Child days — wear yours with oversized denim and a throwback Hilfiger hoodie.
Oversized Bonded Puffer, $200 at Topshop
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Penfield
In a coat that plays with textures all on its own, you can throw on an easy sweater and jeans combo and still feel put together.
Rockwool Quilted Down Jacket With Genuine Shearling and Leather Trim, $300 at Nordstrom
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Jacquemus
Not totally down with down? Ease yourself into the style in this chopped up yet ultimately accessible take by design wunderkind Simon Porte Jacquemus. Pair with a turtleneck and tailored pants. (P.S. Does anyone else find it a little The Twilight Zone-y that his given name translates to "Simon Wears Jacquemus"?)
Le Manteau Doudoune, $910 at La Garçonne
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Chen Peng
Rihanna has a Chen Peng puffer jacket in her (very extensive) down-filled collection and therefore so must you. Let this voluminous number fall off your shoulders a la RiRi. Complement your cocoon with form-fitting, feminine silhouettes.
Cocoon Puffer Jacket, $953.01 at Studio Collection London
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Silence + Noise
As you enjoy the hottest year on record, amp up your outerwear game in a cool cropped puffer jacket. Wear yours with high-rise bottoms and a waist-baring top.
Ezra Alt Vegan Leather Puffer Jacket, $119 at Urban Outfitters
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Zara
As per Zara's stylist's advice, use this cozy standout to add dimension to minimalist ensembles.
Neon Quilted Anorak, $99.90 at Zara
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The North Face
Classics are classics for a reason. Order this cold weather essential a few sizes too large, wear with jeans and graphic knits by day and use it as a pillow come nightfall.
Women's Nuptse 2 Jacket, $220 at The North Face
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Patagonia
Transition your lightweight, midseason puffer into winter by layering it under tailored coats. It's a very Parisian/necessary trick.
Down Sweater Jacket, $229 at Reformation
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Jil Sander
Leave it to Jil Sander to come up with a streamlined puffer jacket that doesn't feel bulky in the least. Wear yours with cropped wide-leg pants and pastel tennis sneakers.
Shell Down Jacket, $1,480 at Net-a-Porter
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Uniqlo
The wool shell on this jacket lends it an air of sophistication, something rarely found in puffers. Avoid Lands' End catalog vibes by pairing with track pants and a hardware-accented zip-up.
Women Wool Blend Down Jacket, $99.90 at Uniqlo
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Stella McCartney
Mix things up — rock a cropped puffer over your wool-blend coat. We dare you.
Alter Nappa Cropped Puffer Jacket, $1,240 at Saks
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Isabel Marant Étoile
Part racing jacket, part puffer coat, this trailblazing style will heat up your everyday looks and your corporeal being.
Reversible Celia Puffer Jacket, $730 at Barneys
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Mango
This is essentially Demna Gvasalia's iconic design, but for a teeny fraction of the price. Sold.
Quilted Feather Coat, $129.99 at Mango
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Sandy Liang
The tweed pattern may seem a bit too of-the-moment for an investment piece, but think of it this way: Have Chanel suits ever gone out of style? (Also, how awesome would Drizzy look paired with one?)
Drizzy Goose Down Filled Puffer, $1,370 at Sandy Liang
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Zara
Do: Complement this snowy, boxy jacket with dark, wintry colors. Don't: Drink hot chocolate while wearing.
Short Anorak, $99.90 at Zara
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Coach
One of the many benefits of fashion's obsession with exaggerated proportions is that it's totally acceptable to shop in the boys' section. Also, this shade of mustard is incredible. Wear with everything from cinnamon sweater dresses to offbeat selvedge denim.
Toy Soldier Down Parka, $1,600 at Coach
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River Island
For the moment, this is as close to that Ella Boucht-designed topper as we'll get. Sigh.
Padded Faux Fur Collar Jacket, $146 at ASOS
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Moncler
Offset the bulk of your coat with a crossbody statement bag and experimental sunnies.
Black Down Suyen Coat, $1,190 at SSENSE
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Topshop
While delicate patterns tend to be swallowed by puffers, bold colorblocking will never let you down.
Boutique The Puffball Puffer Jacket, $210 at Topshop
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Uniqlo
Layer under a camel coat and slay tonal dressing — even when others are too busy burying their faces in scarves to appreciate your efforts.
Women Ultra Light Down Stretch Long Coat, $99.90 at Uniqlo
