Puffer jacket outfits: How to style this season’s cosiest outerwear

Puffer jacket outfits are easier to put together than you might think. Despite this outerwear style being on the slightly bulkier style, you can make them look stylish and chic with just a few simple proportion balancing techniques, meaning they'll work with everything from jeans to dresses. 

If you want to invest in one of the best winter coats that’s seriously snug, a puffer or quilted style is a great option. Cosying into one of the best puffer jackets is the next best thing to hauling your duvet off of your bed, making them a joy to wear. Of course, they're endlessly stylish too.

The type you choose will likely depend on both your budget and whether you wear any animal products. Puffer coats filled with down and feathers tend to be more expensive, while those that use synthetic filling are more budget-friendly. But the range of styles on offer from high-end and high street brands, from floor-skimming styles to sleeveless gilet versions, means you can easily start putting together puffer jacket outfits you'll love. 

Puffer jacket outfits: 6 ways to wear this season’s must-have coat 

Putting together puffer jacket outfits is easy when you know how. One of this season's hottest trends, the puffer jacket combines practicality and style for an instantly directional look. Sometimes tricky to wear thanks to its fuller shape, it's all about balancing out proportions. Take inspiration from the street stylers with six ways to wear… 

1. How to wear puffer jackets with jeans

The thing we love most about jeans is how versatile they are. The best jeans go with absolutely everything (and are great as part of puffer jacket outfits) which makes them a wardrobe essential. If you’re wearing a puffer jacket, in all likelihood you're keeping it for more casual outfits, so keep your jeans mid-blue or lighter, as the paler the wash, the more laid-back your denim will feel. A straight or skinny jean is great with an oversized or longline puffer, but if you’re opting for wide-leg pair or want to learn how to style flared jeans, choose a shorter puffer jacket instead. 

A styling tip… Puffers don’t have to be plain. Fuzzy shearling fabric makes for an extra cosy choice. 

2. How to wear puffer jackets with leggings

When it comes to leggings outfits, puffer jackets and leggings slot together like pieces of a puzzle. Both are fashionable, sure, but first and foremost, they’re both practical items of clothing. A puffer jacket will keep you cosy and dry, while the best leggings will ensure top-notch comfort without contending with stiff fabrics or digging-in waistbands. For a more sporty feel, choose workout leggings with plenty of lycra. They could be plain black, navy, or boast a graphic pattern. Faux leather leggings will elevate your look further, adding a luxe texture to the mix. Or, for a middle ground, trusty black cotton leggings make for a failsafe layering piece. 

A styling tip… When it comes to what shoes to wear with leggings and a puffer jacket, the best knee-high boots and leggings work really well together. 

3. How to wear puffer jackets with a dress

When putting together puffer jacket outfits, unexpected styling combinations are always the best, which is why we love the high-low mix of wearing a dress with a puffer jacket. The best jumper dresses are the obvious choice here, in either midi or mini length, and they're best teamed with chunky sole boots. Feminine, floral frocks still have a place too, and the sporty feel of a puffer will help to make these traditionally more spring-like pieces feel winter-appropriate. Or, you could choose a form-fitting slip dress for layering beneath your puffer for a real contrast of fabrics and cuts. 

A styling tip…

This is one where you really want to think about proportions. For fuller-skirted dresses, opt for cropped puffer jacket silhouettes to help ensure your waistline isn't lost. More streamlined dress shapes can take longer puffer coats, worn open you create a central column that elongates your silhouette.

4. How to wear puffer jackets for work

In an ideal world, our work outfits would be finished off with one of the best wool coats, but wet and windy weather doesn’t always make that tailored and tactile look the most sensible choice. The key to making your puffer jacket outfits office-appropriate is to coordinate the shade of your puffer jacket with the rest of your look so it feels like a natural extension. Think a mink-hued puffer coat with a beige sweater and biscuit-toned trousers, or a graphic black and purple midi with a black puffer. A puffer without a hood can be a smart option for the office (just don't forget your umbrella) while a style that ties at the waist will bring structure to your silhouette, helping to nip you in at the waist.

A styling tip… It’s always better to miss the mark on the dress code than turn up to work soggy and bedraggled. 

5. How to wear puffer jackets for evening

A puffer jacket might not feel like the obvious layering choice for evening, but it does have the benefit of making your outfit feel more casual as you get from A to B. Not to mention, you’ll be grateful for that extra warmth when you’re waiting for your taxi home. To keep it looking deliberate, (and not as if you just grabbed the first coat you saw on the rack as you left) stick to darker shades of black and khaki. A pale sage green or icy blue could work too if the rest of your outfit is very dark, but ideally, it’ll have a high-shine finish or gold hardware for a premium touch. 

A styling tip… Aim for a coat that’s the same length as, or shorter than, your dress. If you’re wearing tights, you could go longer.

6. How to wear puffer jackets for the weekend

Don’t let a disappointing forecast put a dampener on your weekend puffer jacket outfits. With a puffer in tow, you can still make the most of getting out and about without compromising on style. A printed or patterned puffer is a brilliant way to liven up even the most laid-back of looks and earns extra style brownie points over a block colour. Also, if you can’t have a little fun with fashion at the weekend, then when can you? That being said, a plain puffer is a more savvy, long-term investment that can be worn over over more shades and pieces in your capsule wardrobe. Whether you’re wearing a pretty dress or donning a tracksuit, the puffer has got you covered. 

A styling tip… Keep the rest of your layers light to avoid adding too much bulk. 

How do you make a puffer look stylish?

"People often panic that puffer jackets can be overwhelming and struggle with how to style them, but it's all in the proportions," says our fashion editor Rivkie Baum. "While some puffers are heavily padded, there are plenty more streamlined and tailored options, including those with belts that still highlight your curves whilst giving you the added warmth a puffer jacket provides."

When it comes to styling, "make sure to balance your silhouette, so if you are wearing a bulkier puffer, keep your bottom half streamlined with either straight or skinny jeans, or a fitted skirt that highlights your shape," she says.

What goes well with puffer jackets?

If you stick to a neutral hue, almost anything can go with a puffer jacket. But there are a few things in particular that look best with the boxier silhouette.

"Slim-fitting clothes such as leggings or ribbed turtlenecks, for example, pair well with puffer jackets," says Yenia Hernández Fonseca, Stylist, Luxury Fashion Expert & Contributor to Margo Paige. "Balance the heavy top portion of the look with a chunky shoe, such as vintage-inspired trainers, or break the volume with a contrasting boot, like a point or almond-toe style."

Can you dress up a puffer jacket? 

One of the most versatile types of coats, a puffer can be made to look more polished in several ways. However, not all puffers are created equal, and some boast more high-end details than others. It’s the little things that make the biggest difference, like zips over poppers, deep pockets rather than patch ones, and silver or gold hardware over plastic detailing. You can also look for belted designs or luxe details like a faux fur collar to give added polish. 

Mostly, it's about what you wear under your puffer jacket. As we’ve already established, puffer jackets can be worn over dresses, even for evening or work. Just keep the colours coordinated (black is always the chicest choice) and don’t go too oversized. If a tracksuit isn’t your bag, but you still want to feel relaxed, choose a pair of plain black lycra leggings, a high-neck striped jumper, black leather knee-high boots, and a crossbody bag for a polished but relaxed finish. 

Our experts:

Rivkie Baum

With over fifteen years' experience, Rivkie is an accomplished fashion editor, writer and stylist. Covering international fashion weeks, and styling photoshoots all over the world, Rivkie loves translating the trends in an accessible way to make fashion available for all budgets. 

Yenia Hernández Fonseca

Yenia is a writer, stylist, and visual presentation designer with over ten years of experience in the luxury fashion industry working with globally recognized designers, high-end specialty stores, and premium service companies. She's also the founder of @RockFashionHistory, a fashion studies Instagram account that explores the relationship between fashion and identity in rock & roll culture.