FAIRWAY

Timelessness is one element that every designer hopes to master, but few coats have remained as omnipresent as the puffer jacket

Basit Coat: Amazon Jeans: Levis

This pillowy form has stood the test of time, and it’s success in both haute couture and consumer fashion exemplifies aspects of accessibility and exclusivity. This design puffs everywhere from the great outdoors to inner-city rap videos.

It was created in 1940 by Eddie Bauer as a lightweight but survival-grade jacket to be worn on morning fishing trips. Soon after, the quilting innovation was patented as a method of securing the down feathers in place and preventing them from falling to the bottom seam.

At the very same time, American couture designer Charles James was designing a jacket for a different kind of wilderness, the runway. James’ jacket was made of white satin and its volume was used to emphasize feminine curves.

In 2016, designers like Raf Simons and Philipp Plein contoured the traditional puffer aesthetic by incorporating fur-lined hoods and glossy fabric finishes.

In the more attainable brand realm, The North Face and Goldwin are crafting cushioned creations in the $180 range.

In addition, streetwear heavyweights such as Vetements and SSUR have incorporated puffers into highly coveted collections. Not only does this prove that puffers are here to stay, but it also confirms that there is new ground yet to be explored at every tier and style.

And so it was established that for this winter season the puffer jacket will reign supreme in the outdoor and high fashion realms, as well as every area in between.

Destiny Coat: Amazon Slacks: Forever 21