I grew up in the PNW but on the eastern side of OR where it’s high desert and very dry compared to the west. It got COLD in the winter…snowy and dry cold. But I don’t remember it bothering me. My parents must have dressed me properly. Then at 17, I moved to Western Washington near Seattle and while it occasionally dipped below freezing, that was on the rare side and it didn’t bother me much.
When I moved to NY in 2015 I discovered what being cold really meant. Hello cold that enters your bones. Hello damp, musty cold that only a bath will cure. I complained for the first 3 winters that I could never get warm and I was always freezing. My poor friends. Then one day, Elise told me I just needed to buy the right coat. And that forever changed my life (thank you Elise 😂). How did I not know that having a down jacket would envelop me in warmth and change my view of winter forevermore?! DUH! How does every other North Easterner survive the winters?! They have the proper clothing! It was a novel thought and I haven’t gone without the proper clothing since. It makes alllll the difference. And I now believe I can live in any climate as long as I make wise sartorial choices. I think 😅.
In 2022, I bought this jacket from REI in Walrus Brown but it’s no longer available. Now they sell a 2.0 version and it looks about the same and has great reviews and it comes in more colors. I am a firm believer in only buying things on sale and snagged mine for $120 which is a great price for a coat that keeps you snuggly all cold winter long.
Since I’ve learned about the importance of a good coat, I also learned there are a few key things to look for. This is a personal preference but here are the TOP 5 things I look for when winter jacket shopping:
QUICK NOTE: I’m talking about buying a down “puffer” jacket. I have different criteria when it comes to dressier coats and jackets for winter.
- The pockets need to be on the bigger side and preferably fleece-lined. I keep my hands in my pockets A LOT and it’s so nice to stick them into something soft that keeps them warm even if I don’t have hand warmers or gloves. Bigger pockets also mean they can hold my keys and phone while I’m out and about. When I’m wearing a bulky coat I typically don’t like to carry a purse.
- The sleeves need to be long. This isn’t usually a problem for me because I don’t have long arms but I did buy a coat once that had shorter sleeves and it drove me crazy. If my wrist isn’t covered, I’m going to be cold. I like the sleeves to taper at the wrist as well so the cold air can’t get in.
- The jacket needs to be long. I love the look of a cute short bomber like this or the Patagonia Nano Puff but they will not keep me warm enough on the coldest days. Again, personal preference. But I need one that is more like a blanket and covers at least halfway down my thighs. If my bum isn’t covered, I won’t be as warm.
- It has to have a hood. This is a non-negotiable for me. My coat has to be able to cover my head so that if it starts raining or I’m not wearing a hat, I can still cover up. I also like the bulk of a hood around my neck…it keeps me warmer there as well.
- And last but not least, it has to be at least water resistant if not waterproof. On cold, rainy, winter days, I still need to be able to go outside and know that I will stay dry. As you can see in the first photo (hi, I’m on the right!), this jacket isn’t waterproof. But it IS water resistant. And I was grateful because we got WET on this day in Iceland and I stayed toasty dry and warm underneath that coat.
BONUS: I prefer that it has buttons or a zipper so that I can block out the wind and cold but there are cute puffer jackets that simply have a belt and that can do the trick as well!
Here are a few coats I found that are so cute and spot-on for this winter season!
Nordstrom Pillow Hood Longline Down & Feather Jacket
Gap Big Puff Coat in Plymouth Rock Brown
Gap Big Puff Coat in Forbidden Forest Green
Nordstrom Minimalist Double Needle Stitched Puffer Coat
Old Navy Quilted Long Puffer Jacket
Not a coat but these look so warm for winter!!
Here’s to another year living in a sea of brown (but at least I’ll be warm)! Happy November friends. 🖤
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