Do you want to protect yourself from the cold and stay warm, but regular jackets are too heavy? Then the lightweight puffer jacket is the perfect fit for you. These fashion icons are as functional as they are pretty and deserve as much space in your wardrobe as they take in your monthly fashion magazine.
Puffer jackets are some of the most unique and trendy pieces of upper wear that packs style and functionality by the truckload. These fluffy wonders are capable of warming your heart, soul, and body, even in the coldest of climates. Let’s take a deeper look into the world of puffer jackets and figure out what makes them so desirable.
What To Expect In This Article?
What are the puffer jackets?
Puffer jackets are, in essence, fabric jackets that are filled with synthetic fiber to create an insulating layer between your body and the outside world. The fibers used are extremely fluffy, thus making the whole jacket lightweight.
For someone who has never worn a puffer themselves, it might look like an awkward mess that would make movement difficult, and on the face of it, they don’t even look all that warm, especially compared to jackets like the pure wool blazers and furry shearling jackets. But don’t be fooled by their deceiving appearance, as they are extremely soft, easy to move around in, and masters of warmth and coziness.
What is the difference between a puffer jacket and a down jacket?
People oftentimes intertwine these terms and use them interchangeably, but these are two very different jackets, as the core material that gives them their warmth is entirely different.
Down Jackets
Down jackets are called “down” jackets because they are filled with the actual down feathers of a goose. These down feathers are what give these birds warmth and insulation, so they also make an excellent insulator for jackets. These jackets are fairly expensive and are categorized based on a measurement known as the “fill power.” Higher the fill power, higher the warmth, and subsequently the price of the jacket.
To say that down jackets are overkill would be an understatement. The material required for their construction is rather exotic and frankly not worth the price to most people in this world looking for a fluffy jacket to wear in the winter. There are also downsides in wearing them on a daily basis, as they are not good with regular washing and will start to lose their fluffiness.
Puffer Jackets
Puffers, on the other hand, as mentioned earlier, use synthetic fibers that are created for the sole purpose of being in these jackets. These fibers have been engineered to almost perfection, as they provide as much insulation and warmth as real down. Puffer jackets also avoid the regular wash issues that plague down jackets, making them the ideal daily driver, wear to work, and on a morning jog jacket.
Puffer Jackets and Fashion
Puffer jackets started their fashion journey in the 1930s, and they’ve cemented their place at the top of high street and celebrity fashion since then. The design has, however, evolved over the decades and transformed according to what was popular in the rest of the fashion industry, but the signature quilted design of puffer jackets has always remained recognizable. A person from today can go back in time to the 1950s and still recognize a puffer jacket.
Their timeless and iconic design, combined with the continued celebrity preference, meant that these jackets never left public fashion. This, shared with the amazing versatility and accessibility of these jackets, has made them a household name, and there is no better way to get some drip while staying comfy and cozy. Let’s look at some styles, outfits, and combinations that you can try and look classy while doing so:
Beloved Black
To start off, our list is a look that is adored by everyone around the world. No matter the occasion, no matter the situation, and no matter the time of day, you can never go wrong with an all-black outfit. And what better way to spice up your black dressing game than a shiny black puffer jacket.
The great thing about going with a black puffer is that there are a lot of variations that you can put on. For example, you can rock a tight-fitting sleeveless women’s puffer for that carefree, fun party look, or a lengthy and a bit oversized puffer for the cozy winter vibe.
Color Splash
Puffer jackets are famous for the number of vibrant colors that they support and look good with. The fashion market is filled with men’s puffers of all the colors you can imagine, and not only are there bold unicolor jackets, but recent trends have also introduced multicolored jackets that support matching and even contrasting colors on arms and body in all sorts of artistic ways.
This fantastic color variety allows you, the end-user, to express themselves and represent their personality through their clothing. There are thousands of interesting combos that you can create, outfits you can craft, and fashion statements you can form. So, go out there and experiment with your favorite colors and hues, maybe mix in colors you won’t normally wear, and see the results for yourself.
Shiny Silver
Now we’re getting into some very specific styles and fashions that are tried and tested over the years. This look, in particular, hinges on a shiny silver puffer jacket that is full sleeved and a bit loose in the fitting department. But don’t think that this one specific style of puffer will result in one specific outfit, and that’s it, far from it.
You can try pairing this puffer with a set of all-white clothes for a sophisticated yet woke look. Or, you can change the focus of your outfit towards your jacket by wearing dark greys and blacks under it. Additionally, these jackets match almost too perfectly with silver accessories like watches, chains, and other jewelry.
Maxi Puffer, Max Class
An oversized maxi puffer has become a part of almost all celebrities’ closets, and for a good reason. While not really practical for anything more demanding than chilling out with your friends, these large puffers offer a sense of high-fashion and luxurious class that is almost impossible to replicate with any other piece of clothing.
You, too, can follow in the footsteps of these superstars and become the superstar of the party you are attending. But this look is not as simple to achieve as it looks. You can’t just buy a puffer four sizes bigger and call it a day. A lot of thought and research needs to be put into it, but all of that effort is well worth it for the posh look you’ll be able to achieve in the end.
Pattern Galore
If you were to search up “puffer jacket” on the internet, the first hundred results you would get would be plain, unicolor puffers. But as we mentioned earlier, multicolored puffers not only exist, they are in trend right now, and another style of puffers that are in high demand right now are puffers with bold, artistic patterns.
The great thing about this trend is that it is not about one specific puffer like this is the “panther puffer trend.” No, the ongoing movement is towards patterns in general. Everything from geometric and symmetrical shapes to pieces of abstract art is the hot thing. The key to dressing with these puffers is confidence, confidence in the pattern you are wearing, and knowing that you like and personally relate to this specific design.
Office Focused
All of the styles and outfitting ideas mentioned so far have been focused on fashion, style, and glamor. But what about formal attire? Are puffer jackets suitable for that too? It turns out, yes, these jackets work wonderfully in an office environment. Obviously, you can’t wear a maxi puffer to your next business meeting, but there are plenty of other styles that fit right in.
For example, wearing a simple black sleeveless puffer over any dress shirt with a tie will give you a proper office outfit that is up there with the ranks of full-blown suits and vests. Alternatively, you can try being a bit creative with your puffer while staying in the confines of an office dress code, like wearing a wool sweater under your puffer, while matching the color of the tie with that of the puffer jacket.
Streetwear
If we made a list of different puffer jacket fashions and styles and ranked them based on the creativity and personalization capabilities, streetwear would be on the top. The sheer number of experimental outfits you can craft and proudly wear under the banner of streetwear almost sounds crazy, but by far, the best thing about this style of wearing puffers is that it never gets boring.
Wear a bright blue hooded puffer with a bright yellow t-shirt and a pair of matching yellow sneakers. Or, try a red puffer with a black dress but red shoes. Why not do a complete mono-color ensemble with matching jeans, a t-shirt, puffer, and leather shoes. The possibilities are endless and only limited by your imagination.
