Buying puffer vest in Paris

49.90 at Uniqlo, 45 at Decathalon (Doudoune sans manches). 25 euros some places for thin ones that are more for exercising.

I'd go to Uniqlo..and yes kerouac...they are still in if you want an extra layer of warmth.:)

Hi there..Was there for 18 days in Dec. and wish I would have had one...I, too, was surprised at how many I saw in stores and women wearing them. Our guide for a few days, Antoinette, wore one under her coat and says it is her secret. Who knew...I actually saw several at KOS in the Marais...but they may be gone. I believe they were about 80 euro.

they are perfect for layering and take up little space in the bag or purse or pocket or backpack.

I 'discovered' the 5 years ago when I arrived in Paris from the south with my arm in a big cast to the shoulder and no clothing that fit besides a tank top and a windbreaker -- and it was October. The Uniqlo down vest did the trick till I got the cast off and could put a sweater or turtleneck on.

also check the dept stores for possible sales

When we were in Belgium in November, my son and I joked that we needed to go get a puffy jacket and some Jack Wolfskin wear to truly fit in.

Or, buy in US before you go
http://www.landsend.com

I take it as my warmth layer under a raincoat when I travel since it is easy to pack (light and compresses)

REI has a flagship store in Denver. Search their website for packable vests and jackets, go to the stores and check them out to see how lightweight they are. Lightweight down or fleece are good for layering under a rain jacket.

Carol, I bought mine from Lands End, and love it! I live in Duluth and it really keeps me warm inside when the temps get into those negative digits.

When did the term "parka" go out of style?

I suspect 'parka' for most brings up a mental image of this sort of garment-
https://www.eddiebauer.com/p/20612561/parkas/?sp=1&color=Hunter

I suspect what OP has in mind is something more like this-
https://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/product.do?pid=722937012&vid=1&grid=Bloomreach_2_32_1&modelSize=M#pdp-page-content

"She wants no sleeves??? Totally useless!"

Perhaps for some but as a person that lives in the cold wintry climate in North Idaho, it's a perfect garment. Keeps your core warm and paired with a waterproof outer layer I can manage temps down well below freezing with this combo. I just got in from a quick trip to the grocery store and it's perfect for today. 43, windy, not bad enough for a coat but still need some warmth. If I'm doing something active like shoveling snow if it's not windy I can manage with a vest and 2 layers of long sleeve shirts down to the teens.

I have four puffer vests. I wear them a lot. My five year old grandson questions my vest usage.

I currently have my eye on Patagonia's Better Sweater Vest. It's not puffy, but it's still a vest!

I will be bringing a vest to Paris, but which one is yet TBD.

https://www.rei.com/product/123775/fjallraven-nuuk-insulated-parka-womens

Is this permitted in Europe? "Parka"

LOL, I have 7-8 fleece vests in different colors and wear them fall, winter and early spring here in MN. They're great to pack as they weigh little and don't wrinkle. mlw5000, why don't you just bring a puffer with you?

I understand Kerouac2's surprise; sleeveless jackets are available but very rarely worn here in Paris. The climate rarely requires layering (no need for a down jacket under a windbreaker), and few people have any outdoor work to do.
Good news though: they are cheap.

Puffer vests - because in 20 years something has to make us look ridiculous in old photos.

I am wearing my sleeveless Barbour puffer vest right now in Paris, as I do most days. To me, it IS the perfect garment. Keeps me warm enough when I am on the move, but doesn't suffocate me when I am on the metro or bus or inside a shop or the library.

I have never pretended to -- or aspired to-- be fashionable. But utility is high on my list.

Silly me to think something is useful.

Kathy, do you have a certain brand of fleece vests you prefer? Because of our location, most of my purchases are made on-line.

In December Paris was full of hooded parkas, I guess they are considered urban enough. Mine was a lifesaver.

I usually wear a sweater vest on planes since the temps vary so widely.

Clothes in Paris are not cheap; but a couple of shops might be useful to you if you need something you have not brought with you.
Uniqlo, as mentioned before...great quality at not bad prices; and C and A, a chain with fairly decent clothing.

This discussion about vests has been very instructive. Over the years I've owned both puffer ones and fleece ones.

I. Never. Wore. Them. For some reason, they made my core too hot and left my arms too cold at the same time. The way I normally dress skin out (bra, shapewear, long sleeve tee) seems to keep me comfy without the need for a vest.

What works best for me is a long sleeved, fully zip-up fleece, or button up flannel shirt or jacket of some kind that I can wear open or partially open as needed if I get too hot.

I did have a longish funky bouclé sweater vest that I wore almost daily on an April trip to the Netherlands and Belgium. It was light enough that I didn’t get too hot and it went well with the rest of my clothes. I don’t remember where I got it, but I never saw anything quite like it before and haven't since. Although much heavier and bulkier, this one is similar.

Kathy, do you have a certain brand of fleece vests you prefer?

mnannie, most of them are Colombia. All were purchased on sale at a Colombia store (regular or outlet), Marshalls or TJ Maxx, Penney's or Kohls. They are getting a bit harder to find at brick-and-mortar stores, though,

What I really like about my Colombia vests - and I have 4-5 or their long-sleeved fleeces as well - are the deep interior pockets. They're great for stowing stuff you don't want to fall into other hands. They are open at the top but could be pinned shut if especially anxious, although I can't imagine anyone getting at them without my knowledge.

I see that the online store has a sale right now.
https://www.columbia.com/p/womens-benton-springs-vest---petite-1372123.html?dwvar_1372123_color=191&pos=3
https://www.columbia.com/p/womens-benton-springs-vest-WL1023.html?dwvar_WL1023_color=618&pos=6

Side note: You are up north? Do you live inside the band that's supposed to see over a foot of snow between yesterday and tonight? Boy, it's been a cold one this year, even down where we are (Minneapolis suburb) .🥶

In Europe, you will pay a VAT tax on your purchase which will make it more expensive than the sales tax in Colorado. I would hit the REI store (online or in-person), they have an excellent selection of puffer vests and jackets and they're on sale now.

I have an ultra-light puffer jacket from Uniqlo (fits in a small pocket when rolled up) and a vest from the REI Coop label (part of REI). The jacket was about $69 and the vest was $65. Both have down fill in them (not sure what amount though, exactly - that makes a difference). I think it's about 700 fill. Both keep me warm and are super lightweight. I think they will work for you in France in April. If you need rain or wind-resistance though, I would get a Gore-tex treated hardshell which you can layer on top of anything and it will keep you warm. Again, look at the REI and Marmot webites.

Marmot has a great sale going on now for all sorts of winter/ winter-ish clothing. It's a high-quality brand, and the prices right now are very competitive. If you're worried about the bulk, you can look for a light-weight piece that you can use on the plane as well to cushion your back or use as a pillow.

Thanks, Kathy, I will order one of those. I do have a Columbia fleece jacket from the 90s that I still wear at home, so I know they wear well! The sleeves are a bit too bulky for me, though. This storm has only brought us about seven inches of snow near Grand Rapids, but it is forecasted to snow all day. My husband is a Weather Watcher for WCCO, so we take our precipitation measuring seriously:) It's unusual for our schools to close, but they did.

My favorite vest for traveling or hiking is one with an inside zippered pocket for my key fob, license, debit card or cash. I have a hard time finding that option in a price range I like.