Challenge: Finding a Puffy Winter Coat that's flattering

[Ravenclaw]

I've always avoided puffy coats because I'm short and feel like I'd just look like a waddling marshmallow in one but I think that type of coat is the only thing that will keep me warm this winter!

Vishenka/Lily - do you have any suggestions on a coat that might look okay on a petite person? The other challenge is I want one that is on the longer side since I want to stay as warm as possible.

[alison]

I think it becomes cold enough that at some point you won't even care how you look. I'm short, and I bought a full-length down coat at Lands End. It stopped just below my knees, and was around $100. The North Face also has these full-length ones. They go almost down to your ankles. They're pretty pricey, but I wish I had had the extra calve coverage, because they always got so cold!

[HouseofWool]

I am not a fan of puffy coats. I have a Columbia that I love. It comes to mid-hip and has a zip out lining. They run about $100 at Penny's and I have had mine for 5ish years and it still looks great. I use it for everyday and things like sledding and skiing. I also have a lower-end leather jacket that I use for dress. But, honestly, in this part of the midwest (I'm not that far from you - about a 1.5 hours from Suzy Sunshine), fashion takes a back seat to warmth.

As for why I like the columbia? It has a drawstring at the waist so you can cinch it a bit tighter and avoid a gust of wind up your backside. It has underarm vents (little zippers under each armpit) which are fantastic for letting off a little warmth without chilling you (think shoveling). It is easy to separate the lining and the shell so I can take off the shell if it gets too warm while shoveling. (We would get lots of lake effect snow in Milwaukee!)

Best of all the coats have a lifetime warranty. If a zipper breaks, or a seam rips, you send it to them and you get it back fixed for free. I have an old one from college that is still in great shape as well and that one is 15+ years old.

[medpedspouse]

Patagonia has puffy coats that are not so "puffy". I have a jacket but saw the coat version. They, too, stand behind their product. Check out 6pm.com - the had Patagonia on sale.

[scrub-jay]

I think it becomes cold enough that at some point you won't even care how you look. I'm short, and I bought a full-length down coat at Lands End. It stopped just below my knees, and was around $100. The North Face also has these full-length ones. They go almost down to your ankles. They're pretty pricey, but I wish I had had the extra calve coverage, because they always got so cold!

FYI - If you're still in the Bay Area, Berkeley has a great Northface outlet.

[ides]

Challenge: Finding a Puffy Winter Coat that's flattering

I totally forgo looking cute for warmth. I have a giant down parka type thing from Spiewak. Since we walk most places & it gets freaking freezing here in the winter, that coat saves me. I can wear regular clothing underneath, no million layers & stay comfortable. I have a lighter sky type jacket that I wear above 30 degrees. Once it's below 30 on goes the parka.

I hope you find something you like & keeps you warm!

[oceanchild]

I have a down coat from Eddie Bauer that looks like it should be puffy but isn't actually that puffy when on. And it's super warm.

[SoonerTexan]

I have a down coat from Eddie Bauer that looks like it should be puffy but isn't actually that puffy when on.

DH has the male version and I want to steal it...it keeps you so perfectly toasty without being too hot. Texas doesn't really get horribly cold enough for me to justify it, though, especially since I have a couple big coats.

[GrayMatterWife]

Texas doesn't really get horribly cold enough for me to justify it, though, especially since I have a couple big coats.

I never owned a winter coat for the entire 16 years I lived in Texas before moving here. Each winter, it got cold enough a couple of weeks a year to warrant one, and every year I swore I was going to buy a winter coat at the season's end clearance, and I just never did.

And I adamantly wore my clogs and Bierkenstock knockoffs year-round. Here in STL, people think I'm crazy to wear clogs in winter. I think of it as an ode to my true heritage.

[medpedspouse]

DH has the male version and I want to steal it...it keeps you so perfectly toasty without being too hot. Texas doesn't really get horribly cold enough for me to justify it, though, especially since I have a couple big coats.

I never owned a winter coat for the entire 16 years I lived in Texas before moving here. Each winter, it got cold enough a couple of weeks a year to warrant one, and every year I swore I was going to buy a winter coat at the season's end clearance, and I just never did.

And I adamantly wore my clogs and Bierkenstock knockoffs year-round. Here in STL, people think I'm crazy to wear clogs in winter. I think of it as an ode to my true heritage.

You two need to come hang with me...and make snow angels in your puffy coats Granted it was not as bad as other parts of the country but digging my car out got a little old last winter here in TX.

[medpedspouse]

Quick - Check out Rue La La - they have Tahari puffy coats that look cute.

[Vishenka69]

I think the key is to get one that "comes in" at the waist. Mine is a Michael Kors that I got at Loehmanns years ago, it has two pull tabs on each side that I can adjust according to the number of layers underneath. The ones that hit around the knee also tend to be more flattering than those that go all the way down. In another few weeks, all the discount website will have them. Might be a good idea to check out various fits at the local department store first, then hunt down the one you liked in person.

[Chrisada]

After living in Michigan for a few years, I finally splurged and got the North Face winter coat that goes to the knees. It does not look puffy, and keeps me warm in the Michigan climate. http://www.altrec.com/the-north-face...lPageAlsoWantA I also agree that knee length is flattering.

[GreyhoundsRUs]

Mine is similar to this - a few years older...LOVE LOVE LOVE it! I cannot say enough good things about this coat after living in Chicago!

[Flynn]

One word: Patagonia baby.

I have three of them and LOVE THEM ALL. My favorite is a knee length down coat that is cut PERFECTLY to be flattering. Yes it was expensive but I wore it almost every day for 6 - 9 months of the year for the past four winters.