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This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at Bentley chapter.

Let’s face it ladies: the temperatures are dropping and our denim cutoffs are about to find a new home in the back of our closets. So, walking around campus, especially in an area that reaches 30 degrees before midterms, requires heavy-duty clothing, but what exactly does a college girl need to keep herself warm? Moreover, when it comes to deciding which type of winter jacket to get, many get confused about what will help them battle the freezing temperatures while staying chic at the same time.  Up for today’s discussion is whether the parka or the puffer jacket serves more versatility and warmth. Luckily, they are broken down below:

The Parka: Tans, greens, and navies are usually the reigning color of these wonderful jackets, along with a matte finish and almost always, a fur-lined hood. Whether the fur will be real or faux, that’s up to you (or your credit card), but one thing is a definite: this jacket will keep you warm.  The prices for parkas run anywhere from $50-$700 depending on how much lining and down is in the jacket and if the fur of the hood. Brands like Canada Goose, SAM, and

Spiewick can have prices on the heftier side, however, if you’re looking for a good investment piece, this is definitely a good place to start. But if you’re looking for a parka on the cheaper side check out brands like The North Face, Calvin Klein, or Zara for fashionable finds that wont break the bank.

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The Puffer Jacket: The puffer jacket comes in many varieties, offering lengths all the way between floor and hitting at the waist. Typically these jackets can be found having iridescent quilted down sections or a matte finish with little to no padding. Quilting patterns differ depending on the brand and make of the jacket, so there are jackets to suit every personality. The quilting allows for warmth and flexibility along with great style. Certain puffer jackets even cinch at the waist with a built in belt or a detachable one to make this New England necessity quite fashionable. The nice thing about these jackets is that they come in almost every shape and color. The wonderful thing about these coats is that since there are so many different types, you can get one in almost any price range. Popular brands include The North Face, London Fog, and Michael-by-Michael Kors.

 

            So go out there, buy the coat you need to survive the harsh winter ahead and strut through those snow plowed walkways as though it’s a catwalk!

 

Shop the look: 

Parka Jacket- http://www.zara.com/us/en/woman/outerwear/parka-c269183p2101536.html

Puffer Jacket- http://www.zara.com/us/en/woman/outerwear/long-down-jacket-with-wrap-col…

 

Other Parkas and Puffers we adore: 

Parka Jacket- http://www1.bloomingdales.com/shop/product/canada-goose-montebello-parka…

Puffer Jacket- http://www1.macys.com/shop/product/michael-michael-kors-hooded-faux-fur-trim-puffer-coat?ID=1505386&CategoryID=269&LinkType=&swatchColor=Espresso#fn=COAT_STYLE%3DPuffer%26sp%3D1%26spc%3D150%26ruleId%3D%26slotId%3D24