A History of the Puffer Coat in Photos

A favorite in the cold months of winter, the warm and cozy puffer coat is a classic garment that comes back every year because of its practical purpose outside of its stylish look. The history of the puffer coat comes—like many legendary trends—from an accident. In 1935, hiker Eddie Bauer, owner of a sporting and hunting goods shop in Seattle, collapsed from fatigue and nearly died from hypothermia during a fishing trip with a friend in mid-winter. 

Following this event, Bauer realized that there was no sufficiently light, warm, and waterproof jacket on the market to adequately protect the body from harsh temperatures and bad weather. A couple of exchanges with some goose-down suppliers and voilà: in 1936, the first down jacket, the Skyliner, patented in 1940, was born. 

Since its inception, this functional, yet stylish jacket has become a cult favorite for outdoorsmen and fashion girls alike. It had its first encounter with luxury fashion in 1937 with designer Charles James’ quilted down satin evening jacket. Later, it intersected with the streetwear looks of the '80s and '90s. From designer Norma Kamali’s Sleeping Bag Coat and Paninari's 1980s technical wear by Moncler to Martin Margiela’s duvet coat and Demna Gvasalia’s more recent swing puffer for Balenciaga, L’OFFICIEL maps out the history of the puffer coat from its humble beginnings to its place as a part in today's must-have winter wardrobe.