The lightweight jacket is perfect for the chilly months, and can be worn year-round thanks to a water-repellent finish
Many of us are set to take some well deserved time off over the Christmas and New Year period, and lots of people – myself included – like to use that time to get out and about, whether that’s with the dog, the kids, or just to walk off that Christmas dinner. But if you’re planning on heading out into the crisp winter air, you’re going to need a good warm coat.
Earlier this year, I discovered Uniqlo’s range of down jackets and coats, and fell in love with their seamless down parka . The Uniqlo range also includes menswear, with a version of the seamless down parka in sizes XS to 3XL and five colours. However, being quite short it would leave my legs a little chilly, so I’ve been eyeing up their Ultra Light Down Long Coat.
Coming in four wearable shades, including dark grey, black, olive and beige, the jacket is filled with 90% down and 10% feathers to keep you warm as the temperatures dip. But unlike many padded jackets, it’s incredibly lightweight, and even folds into a small storage pouch, making it easy to carry, too.
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Available in sizes ranging from XXS to XXL, the coat has been designed with three side panels on the body to create a more flattering silhouette , while additional features, like pockets with side fasteners and a removable hood, make it as practical as it is stylish. Coming in at £109.90, the long jacket will keep you warm from neck to knee and even has a water-repellent finish to protect against showers.
Slightly shorter, but having had a huge price cut, is this T og24 Nanton Women’s Long Down Jacket, which was £220 , but has been reduced to £90. It’s made with 70% duck down and 30% feather, boasting 550 fill power. However, if you’d prefer a jacket filled with down, Mountain Warehouse has this Florence Women’s Extra Long Padded Jacket, which is currently half-price at £59.99.
Should you be searching for an even longer coat and something a little more on-trend, River Island’s Black Extra Long Hooded Padded Jacket is a great option, priced at £110. But the most budget-friendly alternative we’ve found is at Roman, whose Mocha Longline Hooded Padded Coat is currently 30% off at £45.
The Uniqlo coat, though, has earned its place as one of the top picks from shoppers, having amassed a 4.4 star rating based on dozens of reviews from around the world. One said: “Great coat which can be worn all year round. Light enough to wear with layers in colder months. Stylish, clean design.”
Another added: “I love the Uniqlo ultra light down coat. It really is so lightweight for such a puffy, warm coat. Like wearing a warm cloud. I definitely would recommend it, especially if you hate feeling weighed down by a bulky winter coat.”
“Very light coat and at the same time very warm,” wrote a third. “It has details like the hood that you can remove and keep only the collar and a very practical inside pocket. But above all, the most important thing in my case is that I can fold it and put a bag that hardly takes up space in the suitcase.”
However, one shopper left a three-star review, adding: “The jacket is surprisingly warm for a very thin jacket, and it looks great, but unfortunately, the jacket seems to magically attract stains. I’ve only had the jacket for 3 weeks and I see a new stain almost every day and I haven’t found a way to remove the stains yet.”