Oversized Puffer Jackets: Why The Sudden Fashion Obsession?

Whatever I click on these days it’s most likely wearing oversized puffer jackets. Whatever shop you’ll go to in the next months it will shove a puffer down your throat. Even my closet is not exempt from this fall 2018 trend. Like I said, they are everywhere, and tbh I love it!

Rewind 10 years back and I was a puffer jacket hater, 100%. Up until a year or two ago when forced by the freezing degrees I had to face after workout every day in winter, I decided to get one. “That’s it, I thought, I’m done freezing my ass and risking a flu. I’m ready to look like an elephant. Maybe I’ll be so lucky to pull off a flamingo-in-a-puffer look.” There’s only so many coats, and layers, and faux fur one can do in winter, right? So I bought this orange puffer jacket (Instagram pic of me wearing it) that I swear to God became my fave jacket (similar here). It’s easy to put on, to take off, and keeps you so cozy and warm. And I don’t look like an elephant in it, nor a flamingo who had a big burger. I look normal. #orangeinspired

Why is fashion and everyone so obsessed with oversized puffer jackets all of a sudden?

What is it about these gigantic enormous coats that are the least flattering coats of all times that have us smitten with them all of a sudden. And it’s not just the sartorial fashion week crowd, nor the famous supermodel squads or cool street stylers. No. It’s everyone, from designers showing puffers in their runway collections to the damn fashion victims everywhere who basically ruin any good trend the moment they make it so mainstream and wrong you don’t wanna wear that piece just to not be associated with them. You know what I mean?

But thank God for the billions of puffer jacket out there. I think it’s safe to say there’s a style for everyone.

Meanwhile the ‘why’ lingers… I think the rise of the oversized puffer jackets has a lot to do with the rise of athletic wear, sports gear, activewear, which tbh is more than a trend, it’s a lifestyle that once belonged to a small group of people and now became mainstream so everyone started wearing their clothes, because 1) they’re comfy, 2) they look cool, and 3) if you happen to actually workout, they save time.

So… our love for activewear stretched to winter coats and designers are simply having fun and giving us what we want. Why pair your leggings with a coat and be cold, huh? Or why should you recycle your winter looks from one or two years ago – coats, vests, faux furs – when there’s this not-so-little jacket that looks way too cool for school and actually works for most looks and styles?

Add this to the rise of 80s in fashion, and you have a case of some of the best looks out there. Sports meets 80s meets oversized urban Yeezy styles, all wrapped up in glam or edge, or even smart office wear. Yes you read that right.

Our love for a more laid back vibe is at the core of all this change in fashion and personal style. The oversized puffer is cool. Sure, there’s no way it will replace a camel coat, or those bath robe amazing winter coats, those furs and faux furs we love, but it’s a great piece to rock every now and then. Especially in freezing degrees.

What oversized puffer jackets styles are IN this season?

Like anything great in life… the bigger the better. #lol The puffers of 2018 look like fluffy colourful marshmallows, so big they can fit 3 people in there, and are usually worn low on the back, or just one shoulder a la late 80s New Kids On The Block. They’re boxy, with a back side sticking out as if you’re actually wearing a box, with puffed ‘collars’ and sot of slouchy cuts.

They can also be very long like massive duvets that you wrap yourself into. Rihanna is the queen of wearing these, without losing an inch of her sex appeal, in case you wondered about that kinda stuff.

How to wear oversized puffer jackets even if you’re not sporty, or on winter holiday?

They do look amazing in winter when you’re living it up in some sky resort or just taking a walk around town and pretending you;re a tourist. And take it from me, they do look great over your gym outfits. Sooner, rather than later you’ll be wearing the puffer when running errands, weekend shopping and so on. It’s easy in these circumstances.

But what about office wear, and going out? Meetings, going to lunch, dinner, meeting people outside the gym or that sky resort?

Throw that sucker puffer on whatever the hell you are wearing, including heels, stilettos, kittens, block. You can wear them over dresses, over the knee boots, sweaters and jeans, power suits. It’s all a beautiful mess. Eclectic.

It looks great paired with crop tops, which you can actually wear in winter cause the puffer will keep you warm. It looks fab with hoodies and sunglasses a la 90s.

It wok with layers (not that you need them), with dresses, with skirts, shorts… sky’s the limit.

Street style: