What to wear right now: a Duvet Coat
Photos: Claire Pepper
This winter the Duvet Coat has come into its own: Freezing temperatures, another lockdown and escaping outdoors to keep ourselves sane. If you live in the northern hemisphere and already own a super-sized padded coat, it is the best thing to wear right now. Duvet Coats always remind me of winters in New York and visiting Manhattan Brother during a Polar Vortex. The one in the picture was acquired during the winter of 2017/2018 when the UK was assaulted by the Beast From the East. It’s from the small independent label Year One Collective, is super-cosy and comforting and really does feel like being snuggled in a duvet. But it is ginormous. And, if I’m not careful can clear a whole shelf in a small grocery store.
As it’s best not to compress a padded coat, adequate wardrobe space is required. Which is why over the last few years the Duvet Coat has rather conveniently been hanging in the office (where in normal times, I rent a desk from a friend), and I’m happy for its communal use to facilitate trips to the coffee shop on cold, winter days. So when I contacted my pal before Christmas to check it was OK to drop by and collect the coat, she immediately ‘fessed up to borrowing it for socially distanced meet-ups and visits to the park with her young daughters. And who can blame her, it’s a corker. Now that she’s invested in a Uniqlo down jacket and the coat-napping situation has been resolved, the Duvet Coat has squeezed its way into Mr TNMA’s closet. Lucky man.
Belt up for a trip to the grocery store
We all know it’s cool to be kind to the planet and several brands are on-board with more sustainable options. If you’re looking to buy a new Duvet Coat: Save The Duck is the bird-friendly choice (available HERE and HERE). And, more fashion companies, and outdoor clothing brands like North Face have signed up to the Responsible Down Standard, so check before you buy. Meanwhile, Uniqlo is encouraging customers to donate their used clothing, including down jackets, to its Re: Uniqlo initiative. Arket, COS and Everlane all produce padded coats made from recycled polyester. Sustainability pioneer Eileen Fisher has a small selection of coats (and a neat hooded gilet that could fit under a more traditional overcoat) in recycled nylon, while Patagonia uses recycled down taken from bedding not birds.
STYLE NOTES
The jumper, jeans and boots are my own. Shout-out to Solovair who make fantastic footwear in the UK. The zig-zag scarf was loaned for the shoot from Jo Gordon. And the coat is from Year One Collective.
This is based on a feature written for the Daily Telegraph; photos are by Claire Pepper. Hair & makeup: Louise Heywood.
More duvet coats here:
*Please note: That’s Not My Age uses affiliate links to gain a small commission on items purchased through the site
Discussion (19 Comments)
Mrs Tonia says:
Ah yes Alyson. Thanks for this timely post. Exactly what I’ve been wearing in past few weeks. Mine come from shopping my wardrobe old but good down coats which still look good and function well to keep one cosy and warm for grocery shopping excursions or the permitted park walks.
I’ve got a knee length bronze colour one with good and a black shorter one.
Like you in the photo with the striking graphic emerald scarf these neutral basics can be spruced up with colourful accessories and scarves.
Keep warm and safe in these challenging winter weeks.Heather Cupit says:
I so agree about duvet coats. I, too, remember them from New York days (when I lived there) and felt the cold was brutal. I really can’t do without them now and – big lockdown confession – I’ve bought two more this winter! One is bright red and who cares if I look like a big fat Santa out there. They help me with my daily permitted ‘exercise’and I’m not interested in indoor clothes at the moment! I will note these brand names in case I am tempted further this cruel winter – thank you.
Angela Blair says:
Belted, that coat makes your waist look tiny, never seen a duvet look so chic.
Sara says:
Alyson, you have the look nailed, from the coat, to the jeans, the boots. Skinnies are the only way to go with a duvet coat. and a great reason for me to keep wearing mine. I’ve tried a couple but haven’t yet been able to overcome my sense that I look like the Michelin man, so my heavily lined and long length parkas are still doing the honours in the frozen north west. Currently, with the lockdown, I can’t face ordering several to try on at home, as I think of all those return trips to the Post Office and I will need to try many before I find the right one, by which time it will be spring…… Agree with you about the recycled ones, but both the Arket and Cos ones have that Michelin factor imho . Your lovely pic will inspire me to keep going, but perhaps next winter, when a shop might be open and trying on is not verboten?
Rosemary Parker says:
Love it. Personally I will have to be cut out of my down belted midi length coat – several years old now and a Best Buy from M & S— probably about Maytime, if the cold spell continues.!
For a more streamlined look on my longer coat, old but good Jaeger one, I tied the belt at the back. It made the coat flatten at front with no bunching at waist and no Michelin look.
Goddess in the details says:
The first time I saw them in New York many years ago, I thought I would never, ever buy such an unflattering item. Now I’m hunting for a full-length down coat (ethically sourced) that isn’t too large – who’d have thought it could be so difficult to find the right item?
Lisa says:
“ But it is ginormous. And, if I’m not careful can clear a whole shelf in a small grocery store.” Hilarious! I have a coat like that, too. I’m a menace!
Your duvet coat is a little too bulky for my liking, but living on the Canadian prairie, I definitely know the value of a warm coat! Thankfully, we’re enjoying a milder winter than usual, but we still need to bundle up. I often wear my Uniqlo ultra light down vest (or gilet as you call them) as an extra layer.
lizzie g says:
thanks for the intro to jo gordon. just what a coat with a big personality needs- a great scarf with big personality too. no frowning and huddling from the cold weather, lets embrace it. ‘we can do this’ is the attitude i need for 2021.
Alysen B says:
The Jo Gordon scarves are things of beauty. I now covet several. And the coat is wonderfully useful, but I already have two duvet coats and no room for a third!
Karen Slater says:
I love your pod casts and hearing your laughter when talking to guests I thought it be really serious and a bit stuffy but it’s not , Im not young conventionally beautiful but your blog has given me confidence to be creative in what I wear and do many thanks Alison
Jayne says:
Finally bought a duvet coat this winter and love it – it has finally made me “an outdoor person.”
I know what you mean about clearing a grocery shelf with it. I got mine from the Jil Sander for Uniqlo range and it’s very similar to the one you’re wearing – it’s huge! Currently lives on the back of a door making a pest of itself every time I walk past it – no idea where it’ll go come warmer weather but thanks for the tip about not squashing it. I probably would have squished it in a box and then been very disappointed to find it flat as a pancake come November.
Mary 
SLF 
Leave a Reply
This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.
That looks so nice, especially with the belt. I tend to be dressed for winter indoors as well, with thermal leggings and many jumpers so only ever need a light coat