Having spent the (non-existent) summer in London this year I should have guessed that this winter was going to be one of Jack Frost’s finest. In the words of Idina Mendel, baby it’s cold outside. And OH baby, isn’t it cold! I also spent this summer becoming a minimalist and reduced my packed walk-in wardrobe down to a single rail. Okay, so I don’t actually have a walk-in wardrobe but it felt like it with the number of clothes I cleared out.
When the crisp autumn leaves fall to the floor you know it’s time to get your winter wardrobe out. So last Sunday, whilst stepping through those beautiful burnt orange leaves I realised that I had no winter wardrobe to get out! So after running back from my walk I jumped onto my computer and began searching for a warm winter coat. Warmth was essential but so was style. I wanted something that would be suitable over jeans and wellies for weekend walks but also look great with a dress and knee-high boots for cocktails in the city. This narrowed my search to longline down and puffer coats.
But although I knew what I was looking for, an internet search of ‘down coats’ pulled up hundreds of thousands of coats from companies that were not a registered member of the Responsible Down Standard (RDS). Unregistered companies keep the birds in which they use the feathers for making the down coats in torturous condition and inhumanly plucked the feathers whilst they are still alive. Companies that are registered members of RDS keep the birds in much better conditions and do not subject the birds to such torture. And whilst RDS is a progressive movement towards cruelty-free fashion – more can still be done. Companies such as PANGAIA recognise this and use flower down rather than feathers. Their tagline is “Flowers. The future of Fashion”. Flowers AND a coat… what more could a girl ask for!
I have put together a collection of the best winter cruelty-free coats so we can forget it’s cold outside. Now, in the words of Regina George “get in loser 😉 we’re going shopping”.
HOLZWEILER + NET SUSTAIN Ramoen quilted glossed-shell down coat – £540 –Based in Oslo, Holzweiler’s design team fully understand that winter coats are always a worthwhile investment. This puffy style is made from glossy black shell and is pumped between each quilted layer with down and feathers that come from animals that have not been subjected to any unnecessary harm.
PANGAIA FLWRDWN™Fitted Long Puffer Jacket – £820– This Black Long Fitted Puffer Jacket has an adjustable drawcord hood and hits between the knee and mid-calf, depending on your height. It has two external side pockets and one internal patch pocket, all with snap fastenings. It also has a two-way zipper with concealed snaps, finished with a concealed ribbed sleeve cuff. This plant-powered, breathable alternative to traditional animal-derived down is designed to keep you warm and cozy, even in the coldest climates.CANADA GOOSE ALLISTON PARKA – £950.00 – Heavyweight warmth, in a lightweight construction. The Alliston Parka is crafted using Feather-Light Ripstop with CORDURA® fabric reinforcement at high-abrasion areas, making it both incredibly light and incredibly durable. It features an interior down-filled brim that can be cinched around the face to block out cold wind, and backpack straps for hands-free carrying when temperatures rise. CANADA GOOSE do not condone any willful mistreatment, neglect, or acts that maliciously cause animals undue suffering.
LULULEMON Winter Warrior Long Parka – £498 – Designed for on the move LULULEMON is a technical athletic apparel brand designing gear for yoga, run, training and everything in between—but they’re more than just that.SUPERDRY Code Longline Down Puffer Coat – £199.99 – Down Puffer coat, with an 80/20 down filling. A classic padded coat design that with not only give your style an edge this season, you’ll also keep cosy while do it.The North Face Women’s Triple C Parka – £340 – The long length Triple C Parka is one of your best bets at protection from chilly urban winters. It’s filled with light, lofty and insulating responsibly-sourced down that’ll wrap you up in instant warmth.
