When I moved to New York, I vowed I would never get a puffy coat - ummm, as the saying goes, never say never. After the weather hit the 30s, I was a popscicle, even with all the layers.
Let's face it, the only other thing as warm as a down coat is fur - and you can't wear fur in the snow & rain unless you want to smell like a wet dog and ruin your fur. (For the record: I don't buy new fur, only vintage fur and most of the vintage fur I own used to by my grandmother's). And anyway, if puffy jackets are good enough for Norma Kamali, they're good enough for me!
So off to buy a down coat I went. And I never looked back.
It's been 5 years since my first New York CIty winter, and I've been wearing the same 'ol puffer. Not only does it have holes in the pockets now, I am sick and tired of it - as you know, you end up wearing the darn thing every day for about 4 months straight. The poor thing needed to be retired, as it had done its time. I got it at Searle, which was conveniently located downstairs from my old UES apt on Madison & 68th. So going with the tried and true, I decided to opt for a Searle coat once again.
This time, I added some drama to my winter with a shawl collar. You can put it up or leave it down. I gave up the hood because I don't really use it anyway, as I do love my hats. Let's hope this baby will last me for the next five years too!
And hey, to all the puffy coat naysayers - don't knock it till you've tried it. I am from tropical climates and will never get through winter otherwise. Plus, you can spill all the coffee you want on this one, it holds up.
Also, I just saw that Carey Mulligan has my coat, so take that!
Carey Mulligan wearing her Puff Jacket. Image via Who What Wear
