I Am Puffed: Are You Puffed?

Maybe not these exactly – the very creative Moncler versions designed by Valentino’s Pierpaolo Piccioli – but a short padded puffer makes sense.

Coats, when you live in a cold climate, are probably the wardrobe’s essential that ends up growing. The winds, rain, hail, shine and snow options are all different. Biting cold, pouring down with rain or a bit of everything means the wardrobe closet needs many options.

I am tired of my last year and the year before that jackets – puffer jackets are the kind of jackets that don’t wear out or date. A shorter version and in a light colour has come upon my radar and I am in. Plenty of puffers have been sported at fashion week and for good reason. When the practical reigns supreme it’s a good day.

This year I’m going shorter and lighter.

The length is low waist to mid-thigh thereabouts. Puffy and not too puffy. Hooded or not but at the least a large cosy collar to snuggle up in. All shades of cream, caramel and even fluffy duck yellow work. As much as black is my normal go-to; I’m trying to mix it up.

Wear them over the casual and wear them with the dressed-up. Mixing and matching the fine with the “every day” is a look I like; it’s the unexpected that shows unique style and personality.

A puffer, like the faux jacket, does not need to be an investment piece; good quality and style prevail but it does not need to be a hold-the-breath purchase.

Try a puffer coat over a dress with opaque tights or wear it with a black turtleneck and slim ankle pants. It’s practical and flattering.

It’s also ageless. The right puffer looks fabulous if you are 18 or 80.

In this case, puffed is ok. xv