NOTE: In order to provide readers of my Blog with the most clothing options to choose from, I try out more styles than I’m personally able to buy and keep. I do my best to note which items I have personally bought. Please be aware that items with a “Buy” rating may not be ones I personally own. The “Buy” rating indicates that the clothing item passes my standards for garment fit. Additionally, there are “affiliate links” (i.e. a link with a special tracking code) in this blog post. If you purchase something via “affiliate links” on my blog, I may earn commission.

Finding puffer coats as a petite woman is a challenge because there are limited options! I tried shopping in the Missy/Regular section a little bit for this post, but then the sleeves were too long for me. So my new rule of thumb is always shop in the petite section for coats!

After sizing, comes the delicate balance of finding a coat that is both warm and stylish. Most of the time it seems like you get one, but not the other. Since puffer jackets are a staple in my New York wardrobe during the winter months, it’s important to me that I actually like the style of the coat. 

I hope this post can provide some guidance as you start your shopping process! Throughout this post, I share the key product features I look for in a puffer coat. It’s a larger purchase so I recommend taking your time and evaluating your options. Also it might help to make a list of design and spec features that you are requirements for you. That way you can feel be prepared when you start shopping online or in store.

MY MEASUREMENTS

Bust = 34.5’’

Waist = 28’’

Stomach = 31’’

Hip = 40’’

Thigh = 22’’

Calf = 12.25’’

Inseam = 27’’

Bicep = 9.5’’

Lands’ End Petite Winter Long Down Coat with Faux Fur Hood – Size Petite Small

What I loved…

• A-line silhouette – I found that the A-line silhouette of this coat worked well for my pear shape.

• Design details – This coat has inner rib cuffs to prevent the wind from blowing up your sleeves, which is a must have for me. Also I love that the coat has snaps in addition to the zipper to help keep warmth locked in. 

What could have been better…

• Length – Since winters are quite cold in New York, my preference is to have a coat that extends to my knees. This one was a bit shorter than I would like. 

Garment measurements:

High point of shoulder to hem = 32’’

Bust = 42’’

Waist = 40’’

Bottom hem = 46.5’’

Center back = 31.875’’

Sleeve length = 30.25’’

Verdict: Buy! (For me it’s no due to length, but it’s a nice winter coat for places warmer than New York.)   

J. Crew Petite Perfect Winter Parka – Size Petite Small

What I loved… 

• Tapered waist – I appreciate that this coat has a defined waistband. Additionally, there are ties on the inside of the waist the allow you adjust the silhouette and create an even more tapered look. 

• Lots of pockets – I love coats with lots of pockets because I always need somewhere to store my phone. It’s great that these have snap closures. 

• Hood – The hood is so cozy on the inside with the sherpa lining!

What could have been better…

• Length – As I’ve mentioned with some of the other coats, my preference is to find a longer coat that at least goes down to my knees. I thought this coat was super cute, which was why I decided to try it.

Garment measurements:

High point of shoulder to hem = 30.5’’

Bust = 41’’

Waist = 40.75’’

Bottom hem = 44.75’’

Center back = 30.125’’

Sleeve length = 29.75’’

Verdict: Buy! (For me it’s no due to length, but it’s a nice winter coat for places warmer than New York.)   

Cole Haan Petite Layered Down Puffer Coat – Size Petite Small

What I loved…

• Style – Out of all the coats I tried this one was probably my favorite because it combined the majority of features that I like: defined waistband, below knee length and a zipper closure with snap buttons. 

• Color – While I usually I go for black coats, I wanted to try to break out of my New York tendencies. However, I knew grey would also hide any dirt.

• Inner jacket – Another feature I love about this coat, is that there is an inner jacket liner that provides additional warmth.

What could have been better…

• Inner rib cuffs – If they would add this feature, this coat would be perfect!

• Warmth – I have never bought a puffer coat from a fashion brand before. Growing up we always shopped at L.L. Bean so I’m uncertain as to how warm this one will be, but I do really love the design. 

• Snug fit – I recommend ordering your normal size and one size up to compare the fit. I tried on this coat with a t-shirt and it felt great, but it was definitely tighter when I was wearing a sweatshirt underneath it too.

Garment measurements:

High point of shoulder to hem = 39.25’’

Bust = 38.5’’

Waist = 33.5’’

Bottom hem = 47’’

Center back = 38’’

Sleeve length = 30.75’’

Verdict: Buy!

L.L. Bean Ultrawarm Long Coat Women’s Petite – Size Petite Small

What I loved…

• Length – I have low key always dreamed of getting a full length coat like this because sometimes my knee length puffer coat doesn’t always cut it keeping me warm. My upper body is warm, but my calves still get cold unless I wear taller boots. Therefore, the length of the coat is a huge plus for me.

• Design details – This coat has a large velcro fastener at the base of the hood to keep it secure. I love this feature and find it very necessary in New York when you’re walking outside because it can get quite windy. 

What could have been better…

• Silhouette – I wish the coat was tapered at the waist because it looked like a giant rectangle on me — especially since the coat was a little too big around my mid section. 

Garment measurements:

High point of shoulder to hem = 48’’

Bust = 43.5’’

Waist = 42’’

Bottom hem = 52’’

Center back = 47.5’’

Sleeve length = 30.875’’

Verdict: Don’t buy, shop around.

North Face Women’s Arctic Parka – Size Medium

What I loved…

• Inner rib cuff – I absolutely love that the sleeves have this feature. It’s a must have in New York.

• Nice quality – I’m sure this coat would very warm, but sadly it wasn’t a good fit for me.

What could have been better…

• Fit – Ordering this coat made it clear to me the importance of buying coats in a petite size. The sleeves were way too long and basically swallowed my entire hand. Additionally, the upper body of the coat was a little too roomy, but this was because I had to go up in size when ordering. All the reviews recommend that you size up if you had wider hips and that was definitely true. The lower portion of the coat did fit me well. 

• Design details – I did not like the zipper area of the coat because it had velcro instead of snaps. While it doesn’t sound like a big deal, for me I already know it wouldn’t go well because I’m kind of clumsy. I’m sure that I would get a sweater caught on the velcro if I was in a hurry. 

Garment measurements:

High point of shoulder to hem  37.5’’

Bust = 42.25’’

Waist = 40.75’’

Bottom hem = 49.5’’

Center back = 36.25’’

Sleeve length = 31.75’’

Verdict: Don’t buy, shop around.

DKNY Petite Faux-Fur Trim Hooded Puffer Coat – Size Petite Small

What I loved…

• Style – The A-line silhouette of this coat was what made it appeal to me. Also I like the high low hemline because it’s different from the coats that I normally wear. Ultimately it’s so different from what I normally go for as a New Yorker. But it’s important to mix things up that way you enjoy what you are wearing. 

• Substantial hood – I’m all about a coat that has a nice hood because I wear mine up most of the time during winters. It’s usually pretty windy so a hood is essential!

What could have been better…

• Filling – I didn’t realize this when I ordered the coat, but it’s actually filled with a down alternative polyester fiber. Likely, it will be not warm enough for colder New York days.

Garment measurements:

High point of shoulder to hem = 31’’

Bust = 41’’

Waist = 42.5’’

Bottom hem = 44’’

Center back = 33.25’’

Sleeve length = 30’’

Verdict: Buy! (For me it’s a no because it’s like not warm enough for New York winters, but I loved how it fit.) 

L.L. Bean Ultralight 850 Down 3/4 Coat Women’s Petite – Size Petite Small

What I loved…

• Weight – After always having a heavy winter coat, it’s hard to wrap my mind around having a lighter one that is just as warm. 

What could have been better…

• Length – As shared above, I wish that this jacket ended at my knees. 

• Sleeves – The sleeves were the right length for me, however I wish that the cuffs were more substantial and snugger around my wrist.

Garment measurements:

High point of shoulder to hem = 32.5’’

Bust = 41’’

Waist = 38’’

Bottom hem = 46.5’’

Center back = 31’’

Sleeve length = 30.875’’

Verdict: Buy! (For me it’s no due to length, but it’s a nice winter coat for places warmer than New York.)   

Lands’ End Petite Ultralight Maxi Long Down Coat with Hood – Size Petite Small

What I loved…

• Tapered waist – The main reason I decided to order this coat is because it has a tapered waist, which helps provide a little more definition. 

• Length – This length is great for colder winters and if you spend a lot of time walking around outside in the winter.  For me, this coat falls around my mid calf. 

What could have been better…

• Quality – Comparing this coat to the similar style above from L.L. Bean, I definitely preferred the L.L. Bean option. L.L. Bean’s seemed to have better construction as this one was already shedding down during the try on process. The Lands’ End one also didn’t seem to have as much filling either. 

Garment measurements:

High point of shoulder to hem = 43.125’’

Bust = 42’’

Waist = 35.25’’

Bottom hem = 53’’

Center back = 41’’

Sleeve length = 29.5’’

Verdict: Don’t buy, shop around.