Ask for winter jacket recommendations, and ye shall receive. There are nearly as many winter jackets out there as there are people, so it takes a good, honest look inward — inside the coat, of course, but also yourself — to make the best decision. Upon first glance, especially with down jackets, plenty of coats can appear indistinguishable save for whatever logo — or lack thereof — graces the sleeve or chest. As a result, this category often defaults to an exercise in brand allegiance rather than a matter of design discernment. Sometimes the question isn’t to puff or not to puff, but which way to.

Canada Goose, Woolrich, or Shackleton wearers, after all, are each a whole other type of person than, say, the Veilance client. A Stone Island puffer isn't spiritually comparable to an Aspesi one, however alike they may materially seem in price or look. Some styles are more about showing off, others are a decided effort not to, and then there are those that are uniquely designed to catch the eye of a like-minded individual crossing the street and earn you a nearly imperceptible nod of approval. 

A good rule of thumb: You should think of your choice of winter jacket much like your choice of car, in that your daily driver will inevitably project information about one's hobbies, values, and taste. I, for instance, try to defy cold temperatures by stacking liner vests under fluffy fleeces for as long as thermally possible. What's that say about me? (Maybe that I'm more often in denial about the weather than I should be.) More crucially, however, I want you to answer this: What winter jacket wearer are you? 

• Do you already have this season’s ski trips (plural!) planned? You’ll want to be swaddled by either Moncler's eccentric offering, The North Face’s more classic version, or Uniqlo's utilitarian option.

• Perhaps you prefer quiltless minimalism and subtly techy performance-maxxing? You'll then appreciate a svelte Patagonia, an even svelter Goldwin, or the sveltest Arc'teryx parka.

• If your wardrobe tends to orbit around naval, pilot and military-inspired garb even, there's aviator shearlings, peacoats, and firemen clasp jackets by Dehen, Schott, and Fay, respectively.

• And if you see workwear as a lifestyle, not just a moodboard, you’ll want to scope out L.L. Bean barn jackets, Carhartt chore coats, and Dickies’ Eisenhowers, which can indeed work as a year-round staple — with or without padded lining.

• Big into layering? If so, you’ll enjoy the help of long, woolen and oversized silhouettes like mfpen's or Lemaire's or Auralee's.

• Or are you a Barbour enthusiast who insists on preppy English hunter wear even when it starts to snow? Then you’ll find A.P.C.'s or the J.Press duffle coats will scratch a similar itch.

​Honorable In-betweens:

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