Because my down coat is so unflattering, I have made it a rule not to pull it out unless the temperature drops into the teens or lower. I'm sure most women would agree with me that puffers are a last resort, but there's no question that they're functional. I love how toasty I stay in my fleece-lined coat and wish all my jackets had such soft interiors. Sometimes I even imagine myself slipping on a patch of ice -- but instead of smacking my tailbone on the pavement, I land softly on the ground as if I were falling into bed. My puffer jacket is a cozy cocoon of fluff, but even with all its wonderful qualities it stays in the back of my closet.

Although there is still much to improve upon, puffy coats have come a long way since the days of the Michelin Man look; fashion and function have finally mated. Designers have wised up and traded the horizontal tiers for a more tailored fit with slimming lines. Even high-end designers have adopted the puffer and made it their own. So whether your style is sporty, classic or girly, here are some tips to keep you looking like a lady in that sleeping bag of a coat.

1. Make waist.
Many puffers now have belts, ribbons or built-in elastic to give some illusion of a waist. This is brilliant because no matter how many layers you have on, you'll maintain a feminine look by remaining slightly smaller around the middle.

2. Be a pretty, pretty princess
Like belts, princess seams on a puffy coat help give the appearance of curves. So choose these vertical lines over the horizontal ones because heaven knows those are never flattering.

3. Keep it in the hood.
Not only will a hood keep the snow out of your hair but it will balance out the volume that the coat adds to your hips.

4. Hide the Pockets.
Just as pockets on cargo pants make you look bulkier, so do even the smallest of pockets on a coat. Try to stick with slit pockets placed along the seams so you don't break up the elongating vertical lines on the jacket.

With these pointers you can maintain your proportion and your core temperature in a puffer jacket -- and you'll have conquered those fattening feathers.

Recommend (0)

|  Comments (0)

|  Email

|  Share

Share  Facebook Digg del.icio.us