Miu Miu red and black cropped puffer jacket $1960 More info/purchase

All you have to do is walk down any street to know that puffers have literally taken over the world. They are beloved wardrobe staples that are a great alternative to a real or faux fur, wool pea jacket or overcoat. They go from day to evening, come in endless varieties and colors, and all price points.

But let’s face it; a voluminous, oversized puffer coat can often prove too overpowering for mere mortals and will literally swallow you up unless you’re lucky enough to be built like Karlie Kloss. Thankfully, there is an ever growing category of great looking cropped versions that hit anywhere from the hip to slightly above the waist (perfect for high waist pants and skirts). They are not only more practical, more flattering, less cumbersome and easy to maneuver in, but depending on how they are layered, you are not necessarily skimping on warmth.

These are 11 notable examples (many are on sale and going fast):

Rick Owens Doll Mantle Cropped Pillow Jacket Click mages for full-size views

The most avant-garde in the group, and a perfect example of form and function, is Rick Owens’ statement making take on a puffer. His dust colored “Doll Mantle Cropped Pillow Jacket”, made of camel hair, linen and poly is filled with goose down and mallard feathers, and is $1350 reduced from $4500. More info/purchase

Rick Owens cropped padded coat

This Rick Owens down filled cropped puffer is crafted from orange wool and polyamide, filled with goose down and feathers. It features an oversized silhouette and a triple-snap funnel neck which creates a pillow like effect (perfect for long plane rides!), $1740. More info/purchase

Zara animal print puffer jacket

Zara’s red and black animal print puffer jacket has a high collar, adjustable hem, and detachable adjustable hood, $59.99 reduced from $99.99. More info/purchase

Moncler leopard print shell

Moncler’s cropped puffer has a water-repellent leopard-print shell, is filled with insulating goose down and feathers for warmth and has a drawstring waistband to create a more defined shape. The hood and fleece-lined pockets will keep you extra cozy, $1950. More info/purchase

Proenza Schouler PSWL colorblocked puffer coat

Proenza Schouler PSWL’s 100% nylon “Tonal Puffer” is in tonal shades of burgundy, cherry red, and black, $348 reduced from $605. More info/purchase

3.1 Phillip Lim

3.1 Phillip Lim’s black cropped puffer ski coat is made from black quilted technical satin. It has a stand collar, two way zip closure, welt pockets, and detachable sleeves which turn it into a vest, making it especially versatile, $303 reduced from $505. More info/purchase

Theory black patent puffer vest

Theory’s gleaming black, shrunken-fit puffer vest is designed with a zip-front closure and bungee cord adjuster at the hem. It is cut from a premium polyester and polyurethane blend with a high-shine, patent finish from Italy, $182 reduced from $455. More info/purchase

Theory Offset striped puffer jacket

Theory’s “Offset” black and blue striped puffer is filled with goose down and feathers, $309 reduced from $475. More info/purchase

Bacon

Italian contemporary outerwear brand Bacon, which already lists Gigi Hadid among its fans, is a relative new kid on the block. While they initially launched in 2008 as a sportswear label, this past fall they unveiled a small capsule collection with Saks Fifth Avenue offering their women’s signature “Puffa” style in red, blue, and yellow. It features an exaggeratedly oversized funnel collar with neck tie and vertical zip hand pocket, is virtually weightless, looks as good opened or closed, and is now on sale from $615 to $369.  Additional styles and dedicated colorways will be added to the capsule early next year, strengthening the tie-up with the U.S. department store. More info/purchase

Bacon  puffer jacket

Priced at between $510 and $750, the brand has also been distributed through luxury multi brand shops in Italy and a number of retailers worldwide, including Boon the Shop in South Korea, Isetan in Tokyo, Tsum in Moscow, as well as Nordstrom and Intermix in the U.S., the latter of which is offering the style in a vibrant shade of pink, $655. More info/purchase

Bacon

But hands down the chicest, and my favorite version, is the one in black and white hounds tooth, $785. More info/purchase

Bacon founder and CEO Andrea Pilato Barrara is intent on “shifting the customers’ perspective on down jackets” and evolving the silhouettes. After a few seasons of oversized shapes, he said they are moving toward more “refined” styles. In addition to introducing two men’s styles this past fall, including one with a detachable duvet scarf, they will launch their first summer season in 2020 with a selection of windbreakers.

As they say, “Bring home the Bacon!”

– Marilyn Kirschner

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