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Now, I know it’s important to stay warm in winter. But so often, otherwise stylish people resort to the most boring puffer jackets ever designed once there is snow on the ground. So I decided to find some really unique and stylish puffer jackets across the yin/yang spectrum that still have some style while also being functional.

I would personally restrict puffer jackets to Level One. For Level Two and above, I would suggest finding a real wool coat or a vintage fur (I do not recommend faux, because one time in the snow and the fur will be that of a small child’s stuffed animal that has seen better days). If you can’t abide any animal options, be forewarned that you will be a little chillier. It is also much easier for find stylish and unique coats for all the types once you move into wool/fur coat territory.

I do have a few tips. One, look for interesting design details. If it looks like it comes from L.L. Bean or something like that, as nice as it is for shoveling snow or a winter hiking trip, it’s probably not going to look like the most fashionable thing around. Puffer jackets present a special challenge for yin types, and I think going shorter is better–shorter length, so it kind of looks like a short fur jacket, and then I also think shorter sleeves help. Get a long pair of leather gloves and it looks very chic, especially for Romantic/Theatrical Romantic, Soft Gamine/Flamboyant Gamine, Soft Classic, and Soft Dramatic.

As far as long yin coats, I didn’t really find any in stores, but I think if you look for “princess puffer coats,” you may come across some. I found some by searching for “lolita puffer” on eBay:

(Auction)

As far as the jackets I found in regular online stores, one of the coolest ones I’ve found is this one from a brand called Silvian Heach.

Silvian Heach Down Jacket $102, available in XS in pink and XXS-M in black

I think this would be very cute on an SG or a FG who would wear this kind of Chanel-style jacket. I think it may be a bit too quirky for either SC or Dramatic Classic.

Snow Secret Down Jacket, $181, available in sizes 4-8 in black and 4, 6, and 12 in cream

This jacket has the shorter length and slightly short/wide sleeves I mentioned. I see it as Romantic. The lace pattern is obviously yin, and I think it would look cute on top of a casual winter outfit.

Bomboogie Down Jacket, $130, available in sizes 4-8

This is one I could see working for a lot of people–basically Dark Winters who could wear a cape. The shape of this coat gives it the illusion of being a cape instead of a boring old jacket.

Calvin Klein Long-Sleeved Puffer Jacket, $99, available in sizes XS-XL

I think this jacket would be very cool on a Dramatic. It almost approaches avant-garde with its sleekness and asymmetrical design.

Neve Scarlett Down Jacket $199.99, available in L and XL in charcoal and S-L in natural

I’m not sure who exactly would wear this. I think the collar, the asymmetry, and the wideness of the last section of the sleeve make for an unusual design for what seems like a very practical jacket. The collar can also be unzipped to for a wide neckline, for even more drama. I would have to try it on and I’m not always that fond of a waist, but I might wear it as an FG. I could see on an avant-garde natural. Maybe it would even work on a Dramatic who wanted to express a bit of a rustic touch.

All of these jackets are on sale right now. There seems to be a lot of more unusual designs on the site Yoox. What coat are you wearing for winter this year, if you’re in a place in the Northern Hemisphere that gets cold? Do you share my frustrations with the ubiquitous puffer jacket?

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