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Practical, cosy and considerably more fun than another black jacket – Levi’s gingham puffer is the autumn coat we didn’t know we needed.
There are certain coats that earn their place in your wardrobe purely by being incredibly useful. A camel-coloured wool coat makes everything look instantly more put-together. A trench is great for those awkward in-between days. A black waterproof that can withstand dog walks, pub trips and whatever else your day brings is a no brainer.
And I’m a firm believer in having all of the above – but sometimes, particularly when you reach the point in autumn where you’re wearing some combination of jeans, knitwear and boots every single day, you want a coat that does a little more of the heavy lifting. Which is exactly where the printed puffer jacket comes in.
Rather than being the sensible layer you throw over an outfit as you run out of the door, a patterned coat can become the outfit itself. Keep everything underneath simple, and suddenly the thing you’re wearing because it’s cold outside is also the reason your outfit looks interesting. Which brings me to the Levi’s Tate bubble puffer.
If gingham makes you think of summer dresses and picnic blankets – think again. Levi’s gingham puffer coat feels surprisingly right for autumn. The warm grey check is neutral enough that it doesn’t require a complete rethink of everything else in your wardrobe, while still providing a welcome break from the endless black, navy and khaki that tends to take over outerwear at this time of year.
The shape helps, too. Rather than a long, practical puffer, the Tate has a slightly cropped silhouette with exaggerated quilting that gives it its rounded, bubble-like shape. Levi’s has used plush insulation designed to keep in warmth without making the jacket feel overly heavy, while the seersucker fabric adds even more texture to the gingham print.
Credit: levi's
It’s exactly the kind of jacket I’d throw over straight-leg blue jeans, a grey crew-neck knit and trainers for the weekend, or pair with black trousers and boots when I want something a bit smarter underneath. And because there’s already plenty going on with the coat itself, you really don’t need to overthink the rest.
And that’s the biggest argument for owning a statement puffer. On a dark October morning when putting together an outfit is the last thing you feel like doing, you can wear the most basic pieces you own and still look as though you’ve made an effort.
Images: courtesy of brand
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