Pink? The Case For North Face’s Retro Puffer…In A Fun Color

This pink puffer jacket — The North Face 1996 Retro Nuptse Jacket in ‘faded rose,’ to be specific — was one of my dreary February impulse purchases. I’m usually pretty good at curbing most impulse buys (thanks to this job, I’m getting better at knowing which pieces will really stick, so to speak) but February is The Month of Broken New Year’s Resolutions and Gray Skies and so: pink jacket.

I bought this jacket just to try it. Most new pieces don’t make it past my try-on stage, especially when they’re so…directional. Envisioning myself re-working my entire winter wardrobe around that very specific shade of pink (oof) gave me pause, but, like I mentioned, it was February, so I was feeling some kinda way.

jacket (s) | jeans (26) | similar boots | similar mittens

And while the nostalgia of the oversized baffles and retro detailing did call to me (I’m a ’90s kid, through and through) I certainly didn’t expect to love this jacket nearly as much as I do. (And oh hey…there’s a men’s version as well, and I always appreciate when companies don’t restrict colors by gender.)

The North Face 1996 Retro Nuptse Puffer Jacket Is Really, Really Good

jacket (s) | jeans (26) | similar anine bing tee | similar mittens

Let’s get some of the technical details out of the way. This puffer has a DWR (durable water-repellant) shell that stands up to light rain and dries really quickly. It’s filled with 700-fill goose down (think: REALLY warm), has a stowable hood in the collar, weatherproof zipper, tab cuffs (that can be adjusted to fit over gloves, if needed), packs down into a little pouch, and (my favorite) a drawstring at the waist that really cinches things in. Not only does the cinch waist keep me really toasty, but it’s flattering, as well.

jacket (s) | jeans (26) | similar anine bing tee | similar mittens

But the reason I’ve been wearing this darn jacket so much is because it’s cuuuuuute.

jacket (s) | jeans (26) | similar anine bing tee | similar mittens | similar necklace

Oddly enough, this pink jacket manages to go with my existing winter wardrobe. Which, unsurprisingly, consists of a lot of black and gray. But the 1996 design lines (with all of that black) really ground the pretty pink, and make this piece easy to incorporate.

I haven’t worn my short black puffer once since buying this one.

jacket (s) | jeans (26) | similar anine bing tee | similar mittens | similar necklace | similar boots

This jacket has just been a fun and fresh update…but one that requires very little thought when getting dressed. My outfits (despite the cold) feel like spring is just around the corner (without sacrificing an ounce of comfort). It’s been a really welcome change. This is one piece that I’m not that anxious to retire.

jacket (s) | jeans (26) | similar anine bing tee

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Where To Buy The North Face 1996 Retro Nuptse Puffer Jacket

I picked up my North Face 1996 Nuptse puffer at Zappos, but I just noticed that this jacket is currently on sale at Backcountry (so that’s where I’ve linked it throughout this post). You can also go right to the source, The North Face, for the widest color selection. Oh hey,… Nordstrom is actually carrying this exact jacket (in two other colors besides mine), and — gasp! — Saks has it in a sky blue tie-dye that made my heart skip a beat. (Saks also has it in ‘pale banana‘ or an even lighter shade of pink; they might win for most well-edited color selection.)

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More Pink Jackets For End-of-Winter / Early Spring

If you like the pink idea, but aren’t sold on the jacket, here are a few others I’ve found.

Happy almost-Spring!

xo,

S