In recent years I went on my own hunt to find the perfect puffer coat, searching everywhere from Prada to Primark. And after months of trawling, last winter I settled on Arket’s down coat, a style that already came with a history of being extra popular. Back in February 2020, the shopping search engine Lyst revealed that amongst the biggest-selling trophy pieces of the season (many of which were expensive and designer), Arket’s perfect puffer made it onto the top 10. With its simple cut, elegant and neutral colourways, handy hood, slits with popper fastenings on each side to adjust for more movement and roomy pockets, it ticked all of the boxes for what one needs from a practical coat—and at £229, the cost per wear over a series of cold winters speaks for itself.
Since then, Arket’s puffer has become somewhat of an icon amongst fashion people, and countless editors and influencers (and just about everyone on the streets of London) have tried, with only some managing, to get their hands on the cosy style before it whizzed out of stock yet again. Luckily, though, I’m here to tell you it’s back for winter 2023 (a true sign of a classic), and this time there’s numerous iterations in different colours, lengths and even a version with a nipped in waist. And honestly, after wearing mine on repeat between September and May last year, I can confirm it makes a pretty smart investment.