We’re inching closer and closer to winter’s icy air, and that means bundling up to stay cozy and warm.
In other words, it’s time to break out those puffer jackets again!
Puffer Jackets as a Fashion Staple
These warm, puffy coats made their fashion debut back in the ‘70s, when fashion designer Norma Kamali introduced the world to the Sleeping Bag Coat. It took off, with superstars like Cher and Elton John buying them. Even the doormen at Studio 54 kept warm with them.
Of course, like with anything else in the fashion world, trends come and go.
These super warm coats saw a resurgence in the ‘90s. I remember every kid at school had one. Personally, mine was a big white Nike puffer coat that made me look like the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man, but that’s a story for another time.
Popularity in these coats never seems to drop off all the way, though. They say that outerwear has a slower turnover rate than other wardrobe items. It’s largely due to the fact that they have a short life in the calendar year — we only drag them out for a few months. It also comes down to their usefulness. You’re less likely to replace the coat that keeps you the warmest when you’re shuffling from the subway to the shops.
That’s why even though this ‘90s staple became a “noughties no-no,” it came back with a vengeance. I’d like to thank “Hotline Bling” and all those Drake memes for the extra boost.
Puffer jackets have obviously seen plenty of upgrades since those days — though some celebs have been spotted wearing Kamali’s original Sleeping Bag Coat even in recent years. We’ve seen the likes of Lady Gaga, Solange, and André Leon Talley rocking the iconic coat.
But these days, we’re seeing both plump and sleeker silhouettes; cropped cuts and coats that hit the knee; even new additions like vegan leather construction, animal prints, and bold metallics. In other words, there’s a puffer jacket for everyone.
Celebs Love to Rock Puffer Jackets
Celebs might not have been rocking puffer coats at last weekend’s American Music Awards red carpet, but they do seem to have a soft spot for these soft coats. That’s because, just like the rest of the human population, celebs do dress reasonably for regular day-to-day life… well, most of them anyway.
That means that you’re likely to see stars like Angelina Jolie or Jennifer Aniston rocking one of these jackets when they’re out grabbing a coffee or walking the dog. Even Kate Middleton has a puffer. Madonna, none other than the Queen of Pop herself, keeps warm with one.
But really, the best part about this trend? You can’t really go wrong.
Okay, I take that back. Remember Rihanna’s Ella Boucht pink puffer a few years ago that took the trend to a new extreme? This meme-worthy coat might be a little much for a trip to the grocery store.
Aside from a comically large cotton candy pink coat, it’s pretty hard to screw up this trend. You can find a puffer jacket at just about any price point, and they come in a variety of styles to fit any wardrobe.
So, go ahead and follow in Madonna’s footsteps and swaddle yourself with a sleeping bag with sleeves. I don’t see these functional wardrobe staples going out of style any time soon.
