Puffer Coat Styling Trends To Bundle Up With For Winter 2025/2026

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Unless you've been living under a fashion-proof rock, you'll probably already know that puffer coats have been everywhere amid the chillier weather, making them a winter 2025/2026 style staple. Olivia Munn was spotted in a light gray version with loose jeans in November, and Mary J. Blige sported a longer, Gucci version to create a monochrome ensemble while visiting SiriusXM Studios a few days earlier. Both proved how far the cozy garment has come from its days as nothing more than practical sportswear (the style can be traced back to the 1930s when adventurer Eddie Bauer crafted a puffer coat to stay warm while fishing).

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"What we're seeing now are silhouettes that add real structure to your look: cropped styles, oversized, luxe fabrications. You get warmth without bulk, which means you can layer properly underneath," celebrity stylist Damian Collins exclusively tells Women. "Designers have completely reimagined this piece. Think jewel tones, metallics, leather versions, not just black nylon. It's become an option for experimentation," he adds. And there are several ways to bundle up in your favorite puffer for winter 2025/2026 that will keep your outfit looking modern and fashion-forward while ensuring you can beat the chill.

One of the hottest ways to rock a puffer coat or jacket for winter 2025/2026 is to wear it in a single color, à la Mary J. Blige, as Damian Collins tells us exclusively: "Create a tonal look." Monochrome ensembles can be winning 'fits even on the laziest days, which is why they're perfect for winter. With all the rushing around from holiday party to holiday party, last-minute shopping trips, and Christmas light sightseeing, many of us don't have time to spend hours deciding what to sport under our puffers. 

Think along the lines of a blue coat or jacket with blue pants (like jeans) or garments in varying shades of brown, as bitter chocolate is one of the season's trendiest colors. The WHN Puffer Jacket in Brown, for example, can be teamed with a brown T-shirt and Aleumdr's Fleece Lined Sweatpants in Dark Brown for a monochromatic style that's warm and comfortable. But remember, black never truly goes out of style and can be one of the quickest ways to create a monochrome moment that's winter-appropriate, chic, and easy to pull off.

Damian Collins recommends combining high/low styles to make puffer coats and jackets feel more modern this season. That means mixing pieces with opposite tailoring to create an interesting juxtaposition. "[Try an] oversized puffer with tailored trousers and sleek boots. High-low mix," Collins exclusively shares. The fashion expert adds, "Think earth tone puffers over wide-leg trousers, boots, [and a] cashmere beanie."

The SXGYH Winter Cropped Puffer Coat in Coffee is a gorgeous earthy shade, while the Flygo Hooded Quilted Puffer Jacket in Coffee offers more length and warmth for those extra-chilly days. To get the modern cashmere beanie look in the trendy earth tone Collins recommends, try EURKEA's 100% Pure Cashmere Winter Beanie in Camel or Fishers Finery 100% Cashmere Cuffed Beanie in Brown. Pairing brown with brown will help you effortlessly tap into a monochromatic vibe, too, making you doubly on trend.

Though puffer coats and jackets aren't only associated with the sporty aesthetic anymore, that doesn't mean they can't still be worn that way. Especially while you're running errands in the colder months and need an ensemble that's comfortable, practical, and can work in different environments. Pair an easy-to-move-in warm jacket (like The North Face Aconcagua 3 Jacket or the Amazon Essentials Packable Puffer Jacket) with leggings and sneakers for an on-trend aesthetic that can take you from the gym, to school drop-off, to the store to pick up those last-minute holiday gifts.

Just remember to keep your bottoms dark to avoid a sloppy leggings look in 2025. There's a way to ensure your sneakers are up to date, too. For fall 2025, celebrities embraced a very sleek sneaker trend: brown suede. This material totally works with puffy outerwear, and we can't see the trendy shoe style going anywhere for winter.

Damian Collins exclusively tells us it's important not to be afraid of color when styling your puffer coats and jackets this winter. Consider the Cropped Puffer Coat from Tankaneo in Red for an oversized silhouette, or the Kissonic Hooded Puffer Jacket in Blue to make a statement as the mercury plunges. Both will fit with the season's color trends, too, as scarlet and rich blue have been all over the runways. But if those shades aren't your vibe, don't worry. Rich purples and greens have also landed spots as the hottest colors for autumn and winter 2025/2026.

But what should we pair our colorful outerwear with? "[Wear a] chunky knit underneath, matching trousers, tonal boots," Collins shares. And, luckily, there are plenty of trendy boot styles to adorn your feet with this winter. Collins adds of this aesthetic, "[It's] cohesive without trying too hard."

Puffer coats don't have a reputation for being the most feminine outerwear, so they're perfect for creating an androgynous style by mixing and matching them with unexpected garments. "[Try a] cropped puffer over a midi slip dress or skirt with knee-high boots," Damian Collins exclusively recommends. "The juxtaposition of utilitarian against something flowing creates visual interest," he adds.

Also, to make the outfit more modern, Collins suggests combining very different finishes and materials. "Play with textures like satin against denim," he says. You can do that by pairing the likes of Forever 21's Quilted Zip-up Jacket in Denim with the V neck Bias Cut Satin Slip Maxi Dress in Black by WOCV (wear a short or long-sleeved shirt underneath if you're in chillier climates this winter) or the Prinbara Satin Maxi Skirt in Deep Brown, which is one of the hottest colors spilling over from autumn into winter.