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For 60 years, the puffer has remained
true to the coat that George Finch, an
Australian chemist and mountaineer,
designed for Edmund Hillary’s ascent of
Mount Everest in 1953. Sometimes called
quilted jackets, they’re filled with down
insulation between rows of stitching
that give them the look—and, crucially,
the warmth—of sleeping bags with arms.
But today the winter staple can be
just as fashionable as a tailored suit.
This season, Moncler collaborated with
the Queen of England’s favorite designer,
Richard Quinn, on a lively collection
with leopard and daisy prints. Perfect
Moment, a ski brand born in Chamonix,
France, adds a chic houndstooth pattern
to its colorful, retro-inspired lineup.
Even labels not usually affiliated
with ski season are jumping on board.
Tory Burch has introduced reversible
options covered with paisley, while
Saint Laurent has one for men that
looks more like a varsity jacket.
Casey Cadwallader, creative director
of Mugler and head of design for ski-
wear upstart Aztech Mountain, says
these slimmer coats are “easier to
layer with and to pack.” The Aztech
Mountain client is a “discerning skier
who wants the best garment perfor-
mance on the slopes,” he says, “and
appreciates that a refined design can
also work in the city.” COURTESY BRANDSSTYLE 14, 2019Puffer coats scale back
to a more tailored size
By Alexis ParenteNo
More
Michelin
Man
This army-green men’s puffer from
Saint Laurent has a cupro and cotton lining
and hides a hood inside its high collar.
The ribbed wrists and waistband give it a
slim, varsity-jacket feel. $2,590TheMary,a women’sjacketfromthe
O MonclerRichardQuinnline,paystribute
toexuberantfemininity.Thecombination
ofprints—leopardoutsideandfloral
inside—embodiestheplayfulnessQuinnis
knownfor.$2,165OctoberMammut’s IN Anorak combines a
shiny surface in gold or silver
with a 90-10 ratio of down to feathers.
Its sleeve cuffs have a rubber
band on the inside to stay snug. $800The 20-year-old Canadian outerwear
brand Mackage this year debuted its
women’s Elita-NF (no fur) jacket in red.
It comes with a generous hood and
a belt that cinches at the waist. $950The Elk Mountain puffer from Aztech
Mountain, co-owned by skiing legend
Bode Miller, is made with 420 grams
of goose down and stays warm to
–10F. A three-way adjustable hood and
extendable storm visor further protect
against wintry elements. $750For almost 25 years, the Perfect Moment
has been creating clothing for the most
extreme skiers with a focus on performance
and design. This houndstooth jacket will be
available on Oct. 21. $490