When the weather turns colder, there’s little in life that sounds quite as appealing as the phrase ‘duvet coats’. While taking your actual duvet into the office may well be frowned upon – not to mention the faff it would cause while cramming yourself onto the Central Line at 8:30am – there’s certainly no rule against securing yourself a winter coat that does the same job.
Exactly what they say on the tin, duvet coats are often long in length (beyond knee, even) and made from layers of padding and insulation which, when wrapped around you, could genuinely be mistaken for bedding.
But it’s not all-substance-no-style. Sure, the duvet coat may once have been reserved solely for the wardrobes of arctic explorers and Mr Arsène Wenger, but there’s no denying that the look has had a real revival in the world of fashion and is now being worn and loved by many of the world’s chicest dressers. Whether that renders Arsène a certified style icon or not remains to be decided…
Skip to: What is a duvet coat made of? | How we tested them | Shop the best duvet coats.
Which should you set your sights on this season? Obviously the longer the duvet coat the better, otherwise you’ll probably prefer a puffer jacket, but there’s more to consider than just that. If you want something that’s genuinely (dare we say it) going to keep you warm in temperatures below 5°C, then look towards traditional brands such as The North Face, lululemon and Moncler. If you’re looking to invest in a trend-lead silhouette, there are several high-street offerings this season that look twice as expensive as they actually are, but obviously don’t all come with the added benefit of hard-working materials.
What is the best quality duvet coat made of?
The big question is: do you buy a down-filled duvet coat, or do you go for a synthetic fibrefill? Essentially, you’ve got to weigh up the pros and cons on each side. While down and feather fillings are seen by PETA as bad from an animal welfare POV, they often come out on top on the environment front. Synthetic padding is not expected to last as long as feathers and down will, plus it’ll take twice as long to biodegrade and likely end up at landfill once worn out. Can down jackets be cruelty free? If the brand states that their down/feather filling is ethical – and you can see the stamp of approval from RDS (Responsible Down Standard) – then you’re on the right tracks.
How we tested the best duvet coats:
We at GLAMOUR UK all work in London which, if you didn’t know, get’s pretty damn cold from October through ‘til April. We’ve all tried and tested a decent amount of duvet coats to know which ones are worth shouting about – taking things like cost, sustainability, wearability and style into consideration – which enables us to give you advice on where to invest. We’ve also provided specifications to save you the time of searching for them yourself. You’re welcome!
For more winter warmers, check out our guide to the best trench coats, blazers, and loungewear. We’ve also got winter boots to browse, autumn jackets and sweater vests to layer up with. For more from GLAMOUR UK’s Commerce Writer Georgia Trodd, follow her on Instagram @georgiatrodd.