Every year as temperatures begin their inevitable descent, I find myself embarking on the same annual quest: hunting down a puffer coat that will shield me from the bitter cold without compromising my number-one non-negotiable—looking chic. Puffers have long carried a reputation for being practical rather than polished, but during a recent scroll through the new-in sections (prompted by a quick glance at my weather app revealing zero-degree mornings on the horizon), I realised the narrative has shifted. This season’s iterations are refined, elevated and—dare I say—elegant.
Naturally, I made a beeline for Zara, H&M and Massimo Dutti. Collectively, they’re offering some of the strongest high-street outerwear of the season, each bringing a different point of view. Zara leans into sculptural silhouettes and sleek finishes that still include down feather filled materials and proper insulation. H&M continues to champion affordability without sacrificing warmth, delivering pieces that punch well above their price tag, meanwhile, Massimo Dutti serves quiet-luxury minimalism in spades, with puffers cut so beautifully you’d be forgiven for mistaking them for premium labels.
After combing through countless styles, weighing up fills, fabrics, lengths and all-important chicness, I’ve edited the selection down to the very best. These are the puffers that will keep you warm through winter’s coldest days and ensure every outfit still feels effortlessly put-together.
Shop The Best Zara, H&M and Massimo Puffer Coats
ZARA
Extra Long Water-Repellent Windproof Hooded Down Puffer Jacket
A full-length down-and-feather puffer with water and wind resistance, high collar, hood and thumb-hole cuffs. Perfect for days when it’s absolutely freezing in London but you still need to look put together.
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Long Puffer Jacket
Available in beige, black, white and khaki, this minimal silhouette is easy to integrate into any wardrobe. It features a hood, stand collar, zip front, welt pockets and a loose fit; simple, clean lines that still deliver winter insulation.
ZARA
Short Puffer Jacket With Belt Zw Collection
Function meets chic with this belted olive puffer; great when you want a winter coat that’s functional but elegant.
Massimo Dutti
Water-Repellent Shiny Down Jacket With Detachable Hood
The shiny effect immediately adds a certain something to this puffer. It has a detachable hood and water-repellent shell, making it the winter coat you’ll often reach for when you still want that elevated look.
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Oversized Puffer Jacket
Embrace the trend of volume: oversized cut gives you the duvet-coat feel while still looking modern and deliberate.
ZARA
Long Water-Repellent and Windproof Hooded Down Jacket
This longline style delivers serious protection (down + feathers, water/wind-proof shell) without bulk. Ideal for commuting in cold weather and still looking polished.
ZARA
Water-Repellent and Windproof Down Jacket With Hoodie
A gorgeous brown down puffer coat with a high collar, detachable hood and sleeker profile. Built for cold UK days where you want warmth without feeling swamped by volume.
Massimo Dutti
Hooded Puffer Jacket
A mid-length puffer from Massimo Dutti with technical protection and a hood, offering a balance of function and luxe finish.
ZARA
Short Water-Repellent and Windproof Hooded Anorak
If you're not a fan of the long puffer coat look, this shorter anorak version is padded, water and wind resistant, hooded and trimmed for practicality with a relaxed edge.
ZARA
Zw Collection Long Down Puffer Jacket
The quilted material and brown hue makes this look instantly so expensive. A top-tier option if you want investment outerwear that still reads chic.
Massimo Dutti
Water-Repellent Hooded Puffer Jacket
In deep brown, this water repellent hooded jacket ticks every box.
H&M
Water-Repellent Puffer
A mid-length option with a water-repellent finish, smart for those mornings when the sky’s grey, the air’s sharp and you still want to look pulled-together.
ZARA
Long Water-Repellent Windproof Puffer Jacket With Hoodie
Another brilliant water and wind-proof longline puffer with hoodie detail.
Massimo Dutti
Long Water-Repellent Puffer Down Jacket With Hood
Not too long or too short, this long down jacket with water-repellent finish and collar detail is elegant enough for smarter occasions, but warm enough for cold commutes.
ZARA
Long Rubberised Hooded Windproof Anorak
Lean into winter whites with this long windproof puffer. A utility-chic option: rubberised finish for serious windproofing, and a hooded design that keeps it functional and sharp in winter conditions.
Massimo Dutti
Long Water-Repellent Down Jacket With Collar Detail
A more premium long down jacket with a water-repellent finish and a chic fur collar detail.
ZARA
Short Water-Repellent Windproof Hooded Anorak
A minimalist short anorak with hood and technical fabrics—ideal for city styling when you want to look less bulky but still be winter-ready.
Marina Avraam is Senior Shopping Editor at Who What Wear UK, where she expertly navigates Zara, H&M, Toteme and Net-a-Porter (to name but a few) on a daily basis to unearth the most worthwhile pieces, while valiantly resisting the urge to add every single one to her basket. At Who What Wear, Marina is committed to curating a shopping experience that feels both aspirational and intentional, guiding readers to items—both affordable and investment—that will genuinely benefit their wardrobes.