What Are the Best Stylish Coats Under $300 (That Are Actually Warm)?

As a trendy alternative to puffers, stylist and Rogue Paq founder Jessica Cadmus says she likes this swingy, stand-collar teddy jacket from Nordstrom. Its polyester composition might be considered a turnoff to some, but in this case, Cadmus says the synthetic material holds more heat than natural fabrics. And the winter white color and bouclé texture are “in” this season, she says. 

If you’re looking for something a little more substantial, stylist Rasheena Liberté
told us about this longer hooded version of the Uniqlo puffer above. “My absolute favorite feature of this coat is the removable hood; it allows the customer to go for a chic hoodless puffer on lighter weather days with the option to pocket the lightweight hood until needed,” she says. In fact, the entire coat is packable, so if the weather warms up through the day, you won’t be stuck tying a giant coat around your waist. Strategist assistant editor Jenna Milliner-Waddell also owns this coat and can attest to how warm it is. She’s found it’s substantial enough for waiting outside and for bundling up while outdoor dining. The coat has an anti-static lining, a slightly longer length, and a gradient quilting for a more flattering shape in the back.

Aritzia’s famed Super Puff is widely loved by Strategist writers (more on that below), but if you’re looking for something a little cheaper, the lighter-weight, adorably named Little Puff is just under $100. It’s not as warm — the Super Puff is made for temperatures as low as -22 degrees, while Little Puff is better suited for above freezing temperatures — but this one has the same 100 percent responsibly sourced goose down filling. Liberté called it out in an earlier version of this story as her top recommendation when it comes to a warm puffer. “This lightweight goose down is perfect for climates that don’t see excruciating winters,” she says, though she notes that it doubles nicely as a layering piece for colder climates.

Style coach Kim Hancher doesn’t usually see snow or really low temperatures in California. But when it’s actually a cold day, she has often turned to this lightweight down jacket. “My kids call this my sleeping-bag coat,” she says. “They aren’t wrong.” It features a more body-skimming fit than a puffy puffer, plus zippered pockets and a two-way front closure.

A list of affordable winter coats on the Strategist would not be complete without a mention of the Amazon coat, Orolay’s puffer that first took over the Upper East Side (and then the whole world) a few years ago. When we initially discovered it, Ana Maria Pimentel, former fashion director of women’s accessories at Neiman Marcus and Bergdorf Goodman, described the jacket’s voluminous paneling and zippers as having “a little Balenciaga influence” at a much lower price point. “People cross the street to ask me where I got it,” said Fernanda Niven, an editor at the Purist. It features duck down filling and a fleece-lined hood, and is available in more than ten colors as well as metallic and fleece-covered versions.

Like Builder, Strategist junior writer Brenley Goertzen was also wary of how the Super Puff would perform in “bone-chilling” temperatures, but she says she was delighted to find that this bomber version of the style, with its thick banded cuffs and high collar, prevented heat loss around her wrists and neck. (It, too, has a removable hood, which Goertzen says adds a second layer of warmth.) The bomber version has the same down filling, water-repellent fabric, matte finish, and deep pockets as the original, and Goertzen says the cropped fit “looks lovely” and works better for her short torso.

Yet another version of the Super Puff is the Shorty, which is a favorite of stylist Grace Thomas. Like the Super Puff Bomber, this one is more cropped, so there is less of the bulkiness of a traditional puffer, and Thomas likes that it doesn’t “sacrifice function for fashion.” The coat is stuffed with goose down for ultra warm insulation, and once again there’s a removable hood. On the coldest of winter days in Portland, where she’s based, this is the coat Thomas reaches for.

When lifestyle fashion blogger Christine Awad of Le Chic Street initially told us about this “gem of a coat” — another Aritizia style — she called it “a cold-weather necessity” and praised how lightweight it feels. It has similar features to the Super Puff, like responsibly sourced goose-down filling and a water-resistant and windproof shell, but with a different quilting pattern and a wrap-front. When we asked Awad for an update two years later, she said the coat has held up and really keeps her warm. “It’s a staple in most New Yorkers’ wardrobes,” she says.

For those temperamental temperatures as autumn fades into winter, digital creator Carrie Carrollo suggests Everlane’s traditional-looking trench, which is water-resistant with a recycled polyester lining. Carrollo often looks to Everlane for everlasting basics, and says this coat is no exception — she’s had hers since 2020. She says it’s best for chillier days that are still too warm for a puffer; with the trench on, Carrollo stays warm enough “without overheating or being too cold.” Carrollo likes to layer it with a sweater underneath (and recommends sizing up if that’s your plan too). “Some trenches can feel heavy, especially vintage ones, and this is pretty weightless to wear and super easy to sling over my arm,” Carrollo adds.

Or go for this exaggerated take on a trench, also from Everlane, which Cadmus recommends. It’s more detailed than the Modern Trench above, with epaulets on the shoulders, on-seam pockets, and buttoned cuffs at the wrist. Cadmus has styled clients of hers in the coat, mentioning that it’s oversize — so size down if you prefer a more fitted look. Cadmus pairs a “swishy pant, fitted top, and stompy shoes” with the trench to get the proportions just-right. (Another oversize trench to consider: a Sherpa version that comes recommended by Hancher. and feels like a cozy blanket.)

Almost identical to the women’s version above, this lightweight, packable jacket comes recommended by former Strategist associate editor Louis Cheslaw. “While it’s a perfect outerwear piece on its own, I especially love how it’s thin enough to slip (relatively) unnoticed under a wool or canvas coat, adding a layer of warmth anytime you’re worried that your stylish jacket alone won’t be enough,” he said. After eight years of wear, it’s pretty much run its course, he said — “the down has just about fully flattened by now” — but eight years is “a hell of a run,” he added.

Fashion and style director Donnell Baldwin of Mr. Baldwin Style says this is the “perfect” jacket if you’re constantly fluctuating between too hot and too cold. The durable denim and thick sherpa lining keep him well insulated on cold days, but it’s not too hot or bulky, meaning it’ll work outside or in a stuffy subway car. Baldwin says it’s also aesthetically versatile enough to pair with a variety of outfits.

In a previous version of this story, Timothy Grindle, owner and lead buyer of Canoe Club, described this bomber jacket’s silhouette as iconic enough that it’ll never go out of style. It’s not meant for the coldest of days but works well with a hoodie underneath, he said, if you’re more into layering. The water-resistant and reversible coat can also adapt to wildly differing scenes: “We wore them at punk and hardcore shows, but also, like, dads at boat shows wear them, so you can’t go wrong,” Grindle said.