Would You, Could You? Puffer Jacket & Hiking Boots

Have you ever considered wearing a puffer jacket and hiking boots for an everyday look? In the wild, both items are generally quite utilitarian in function and but how well do they fare in more civilized surroundings?

Fashion inspirations can come from expected sources like a magazine article, a store display, or social media. They can also be found in unexpected places like a sunset, or desert landscape, or a plate of food.  Sometimes it might just be the heap of cast-offs in your closet. In the case of this ensemble, my inspiration was an ad in a magazine that I came across in late September.

While my get-up is not even close to being a replica, it’s the spirit that counts, right? And would you believe that this is my first puffer jacket? Trust me, I have my reasons. First off, winters in the area where I live are relatively mild to which the heavier versions of this style would be overkill. Secondly, I kind of regarded the style factor of puffer jackets to be on the same level as ski parkas. Which are great, if you ski and are skiing (which I don’t). And lastly, with apologies for self-doubt, the fear that I was … {clearing my throat} … too old.

So then one day several weeks ago as Fall weather clothing began to pop up in stores, I happened upon stacks of jackets of various styles. Not to plug this particular membership retailer but its limited clothing options are displayed neatly folded on tables in the center of its stores. As I recall, there were also a couple of military/utility styled ones (which I have already) as well as an all-weather type jacket (didn’t fit well). But it was the one you see in these photos that really grabbed my attention.

The only really difficult choice was deciding on which color. I’d initially thought to get it the rich plummy/burgundy color since I didn’t need another black jacket and I feared that the tone of the gray option wouldn’t be very versatile. But something made me reconsider and settle on the light option despite my fear of it getting stained. Since I’ve got no littles with sticky hands to worry about and I tend to not be a sloppy eater, I reasoned that any potential stains could be handled in the wash.

For the price, I wish I had also bought the plummy/burgundy one. At the time, it seemed excessive to buy two jackets. However, since I wear this one all the time, the cost per wear would’ve ultimately been quite low. Oh well, the jackets sold out quite quickly so live and learn. Now let’s talk about hiking boots.

In the inspiration photo, the boots the model is sporting appear to be more combat styled than hiking but again, it’s my spin. When I first started this blog, I wrote a post called Age-Appropriate: Can Your Mother Wear Combat Boots? that continues to be quite a popular read. And of course, I do indeed have a pair of combat boots so why not use those? Well, that’s just how I roll.

Or perhaps it’s a bit of nostalgia. It was about 30 years ago that I first spied the pairing of work boots with a prairie print dress. I think that was the first time I’d ever seen anything shorter than a knee-high boot with a dress or skirt. I recall being fascinated by the look although too timid fashion-wise at the time to wear it myself. My, how times have changed. Stylistically speaking, I think that hiking boots are very similar to work boots with exception of color. Whether you agree with me or not on that point, you’d definitely agree with me that they’re as comfy as house-slippers.

Lastly, there’s the dress I chose. It’s not an animal print like in the inspiration outfit and mine is a much longer length. At least on me. Who knows, it might hit above the model’s knee if she were wearing it. Anyway, it’s a floral print but on a black background so moodier than one might be in brighter colors.

For these photos and in comparison to the inspiration, I’m sporting the jacket tied around my waist. It looks a bit whimsical and carefree to wear it this way however impractical it might be. No matter, it’s a fun option. And speaking of options, I came across this article about the different styles and options you can find in puffer jackets.

Now, back to the question at the top … would you, could you wear a puffer jacket and hiking boots?

Be well and let’s keep in touch! Subscribe, tweet, follow, friend, pin … all options are available. I look forward to hearing from you soon.

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Note: This is an unsponsored post; however, the links to clothing items are associated with an affiliate program where I earned a few cents for each click.