The Sunday Times - UK (2022-02-13

Can there be too much of a good thing? When it

comes to my toasty matt black, calf-length duvet coat,

apparently so. Having worn it almost daily for the

past two years — weekends, staycations and even on

alfresco nights out — I can no longer look at it. Sure it

keeps me warm in sub-zero temperatures, but there’s

absolutely nothing stylish or classy about this coat.

When I’m wearing it I don’t feel motivated to make an

effort. Anything smart or remotely fashionable just

looks wrong, so it’s basically fashion defeat.

But here’s the thing: it’s still winter. While I no

longer desire an all-encompassing comfort blanket to

hide under, I do want to stay warm. Something

tailored, while chic, simply won’t withstand plum-

meting temperatures. It’s time to rejoin the puffer

party. Duvet coats — in unexpected colours,

shapes and prints — are proving a hit with

fashion folk and celebs alike. Even Rihanna,

high priestess of fashion, chose a vintage

Chanel pink floor-length puffer for her

recent pregnancy announcement.

Metallic! Cropped! Belted! I love the

Frankie Shop’s edit of cropped puffers,

in colours from burgundy to metallic

green. I also love its Mel style — with

zip-off sleeves, it doubles as a gilet. The

right duvet coat can hit the slopes too:

Insta-favourites Perfect Moment and

Fusalp are as likely to pop up at Paris fashion

week as they are the Pyrenees. Ienki Ienki — a go-to

for Emily Ratajkowski and Bella Hadid — has

updated its belted puffer in velvet (divine) and with

shearling trims (need). Is it the most elegant puffer

out there? At £1,000 a pop, one would hope so.

Even Carine Roitfeld, former editor of Vogue

France, wore a knee-length mauve duvet coat to

couture fashion week — hers was by Rick Owens.

At the more affordable end, Holzweiler’s

Besseggen jacket comes in six colours — the

teal or mid-blue are a welcome respite from the

ubiquitous black. If the puffer’s shape (or lack of )

scares you, Arket’s recycled puffer has draw-

strings that will give definition.

With something fashion on top, the rest will

follow. Street stylers layer theirs with leggings,

heels and a contrast scarf, and occasionally — in

the ultimate fashion alpha move — wear them

shrugged off their shoulders. ■ @jane_mcfarland

Jane wears Ski suit, £1,140; perfectmoment.com. 1 Green down

jacket, £190; arket.com. 2 Blue puffer, £445; holzweileroslo.com.

3 Brown asymmetric puffer, £305, Ganni; libertylondon.com.

4 Cream down jacket with detachable sleeves, £325;

thefrankieshop.com. 5 Navy Re:Down puffer, £150; cosstores.com

From cropped to colourful, the new

wave of puffer coats means you can

look fun while being – whisper it –

practical, says Jane McFarland

Wardrobe Mistress

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4

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Below, from top 1

The puffer pack:

stylist Anya

Ziourova, Carine

Roitfeld and

Emilie Joseph of

@in_fashion

wetrust

The Sunday Times Style • 27