My Uniqlo Compact Puffer Turns My Fall Coats Into Winter Coats
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Welcome to Coat Week on the Strategist, where we’re asking everyone — from New Yorkers to people living in the coldest parts of the U.S. — about their favorite coats and trying out every puffer we can. For more, head over to ourCoat Week hub.
I grew up in Los Angeles, which means it took me quite a long time to figure out how to dress for winter in New York City. I’ve lived here for more than a decade now and have, for the most part, figured out the super-warm coat thing (mostly in the form of a long, thick wool number I bought on major sale at the end of the season a few years ago). That thing keeps me bundled and cozy when it’s freezing.
But here’s the thing about New York: It’s notthatcold consistently from October through March, especially during the transition into and out of peak winter.
Anytime I don’t want to be weighed down with massive outerwear (which is, quite frankly, any time I can get away with it), I turn to Uniqlo’s Pufftech Compact Jacket. I impulse-bought one at the beginning of my tenure here in the Soho shop (I’m pretty sure it was even called something else back in 2015).
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That was early in my keep-warm journey, back when I didn’t know what to look for. And while the first five or six coats I purchased during that era ended up getting donated, this one has stayed an integral part of my wardrobe — and is still in great shape.
I wouldn’t call the Pufftech supremely stylish, but it’s entirely inoffensive, and therefore can be worn on its own. I mostly do this when bopping outside to run errands in the daytime during the fall. But most crucially, it turns my two favorite fall coats — extremely cute, cover-my-butt-but-not-lined coats — into viable options on nights when it dips into the high 40s (even the lower 40s if I’m otherwise reinforced with, say, aHeattech long-sleeve shirt, warm sweater, and scarf). Basically, it acts as a liner. Still, it doesn’t make me sweaty, it never scrunches or bunches uncomfortably, and contrary to its name, it doesn’t make me look awkwardly puffy.
What’s more, the neckline can either peek out, which with certain outfits I think is a cute look, or transform into a V-neck to better hide underneath my outer layer. The top corners of the collar fold down and inward and snap to stay in place that way. I’m relatively petite, with arms on the shorter side, and a simple fold at the sleeve hems ensures the Pufftech doesn’t protrude near my wrists either. When I make both of these modifications, it’s as though I’m wearing nothing underneath at all.
The Pufftech also comes in handy in making my long wool coatevenwarmer in the absolute coldest weather. Somehow still, it fits under lightweight coats, too. I packed it recently for three weeks in California (mostly L.A., with a stint in the Santa Ynez Valley, where the weather dips decidedly low at night). I did this all in acarry-on suitcase, in no small part thanks to the Pufftech, which rolls up tiny (truly, it’s amazing) and turned my thick, oversize denim shirt and chore coat into the only outerwear I needed. It stuffs easily into a tote bag or large purse if you’re out and about for the day and night and need something to carry you through weather changes — far and away the most versatile item of clothing I own.
More From Coat Week
- How 7 People Who Live in the Coldest Parts of the Country Stay Warm
- The 9 Very Best Women’s Parkas
- The Best (Actually Stylish) Maternity Coats, According to Experts
- What Are the Nicest-Looking Coats Under $300 (That Are Actually Warm)?
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