I am a duvet-coatholic, I admit. I own three down coats, and I love them all. They have swaddled me during bad times and good. As a style journalist, I’ve worn them to catwalk shows, where slim-fitting ultra light iterations, layered under peacoats, have seen me through snowstorms. I’m also rather fond of a short, marshmallowy model, which I frequently pull on over long, form-fitting skirts for winter dinners. Its silhouette brings drama – and gives me somewhere to take an impromptu micronap – while its comforting, laid-back vibe ensures I never feel overdressed.
Finally, there is my full-length duvet coat, a garment I practically melded with during that terrible, cold, dark Covid winter of socialising outside. It was only that duvet coat that could get me out of the house – a soothing, warming full body hug as well as an in-built social distancing tool. Unlike so many other survival mechanisms that winter (quarantini, anyone?), that duvet coat has not proved regrettable. It remains part of my life. Because there is no other coat that can insulate me – literally and emotionally – in quite the same way. The down jacket has become a modern fashion classic for a reason.
The down coat has played an oversized role in fashion for at least 10 years, particularly since Balenciaga featured a red number on the catwalk in 2016. Its soft, soothing contours have been seen throughout culture, on the backs of Billie Eilish, Bella Hadid and the cast of Succession alike. It often brings drama, as with Carrie Bradshaw’s huge puffer gown in And Just Like That or Rihanna’s puffy coat on the Super Bowl LVII half-time show stage. It remains a catwalk staple, seen during the latest round of autumn/winter shows, including a belted, longline wine-coloured haute sleeping bag iteration at Jil Sander, military influenced puffers at Schiaparelli, and a red puffed-up twin set of jacket and midi skirt at Balenciaga.
For a practical garment, the down jacket can be a bit of a show-off at times. Admittedly, sometimes, the fashion crowd styles puffers in amusingly impractical ways – slipping off shoulders, baring a lot of skin, in a way that might not be much use in a blizzard. Worn on the streets, however, during the day-to-day reality of getting through cold days under grey skies, the down coat is unmatched.
I find Uniqlo’s jackets to be the most durable on the high street, in part because they are designed with an eye on tech. I’ve had my Uniqlo ultra light down jacket for about eight years, for instance, and it’s still going strong. Aesthetically, it’s the subtlest type of down layer there is: I bought mine in a small size, so it’s tight enough to wear under suits and smart coats if I want a crisp silhouette when it’s cold. I appreciated the option to ball it up small, in its carrying pouch, and put it in my bag once I’ve warmed up inside.
On the other end of the subtlety spectrum – bringing optimum warmth and coverage – is the full duvet coat. I’d choose Uniqlo’s Seamless down long coat in dark green if I was shopping for one now – it’s water-repellent, doesn’t have toxic PFAS “forever chemicals”, and is a largely stitch-free design. It has fleece-lined pockets (a rarity in high street coats) and a down count of more than 750 fill power, with a ratio of 90% down to 10% feathers to maximise warmth. I’d style it in ways that bring a bit of individuality and interest, including pairing it with contrasting colours. A light-coloured beanie and brown scarf, light coloured, patterned socks and thick-soled hiking boots, for example.
The excellent thing about down coats, though, is that even if you are duvet coat allergic there are iterations in alternative silhouettes that bring much of the warmth. I’d recommend seeking out coloured options – particularly if you usually wear a lot of black – for short styles, such as Uniqlo’s Seamless down parka, which I like in blue, and its recycled down jacket in wine, a bomber shape, with a diamond quilted pattern, which is also unisex.
I also love the Puffertech relaxed jacket for women, made from a down alternative – it uses Japanese double weave fibre technology to capture warmth. I’d buy it in olive and layer it with a cream hoodie. Its cocoon shape works well with leggings or straight-legged jeans for relaxed days. For men, I love the Puffertech quilted jacket in beige or green, which looks excellent layered over sweaters and shirts. Or, if you want cosiness without a hint of undulating silhouette, the men’s Hybrid down parka is cosy, has ventilation mesh, and all the same tech properties with a sleeker shape.
In my view, the squishy comfort of the down coat makes it a bit easier to leave the house at this time of year – it wraps me up and gets me out, reminds me to look up and appreciate the stars, even during the coldest, darkest winters.
Shop Uniqlo’s down coat collection at uniqlo.com
