One of the great tragedies of adult life is that, no matter how cold it gets, you can’t leave the house wrapped in your duvet. People will stare. There is, however, a simple and widely available solution to this problem and it’s known as the down jacket. Combining the tog rating of a winter eiderdown with the sleeves, pockets, zips and other key features of a coat, these garments – sometimes appropriately termed bubble coats – provide us with a socially appropriate way of indulging our innate mammalian hibernation instinct while doing the everyday activities expected of an adult human, rather than a squirrel, bear or hedgehog.

Ultra-light and easily packable, the best thing of all is that puffer jackets look good. Dressing for winter can often seem like an exercise in prioritising function over form as we pile on layer upon layer in a struggle to beat the chill. But with a good down jacket in your wardrobe, you shouldn’t have to choose. You can have both. All that’s required is a little judicious shopping, a sharp eye for colour and silhouette and a willingness to try something new.

The following guide, in which we break down seven ways to wear a down jacket, should set you on the right course.

From The North Face to Patagonia, no major technical outerwear label is complete without a down jacket in its collection. It is ideal for the all-important après-ski and comes into its own on a long winter’s hike, when its lightweight qualities make for a versatile layer to throw on or strip off and stuff in your bag according to the whims of the elements.

Moncler, the Italian outerwear designer, which takes its name from the French Alpine village Monestier-de-Clermont, could well be credited as the brand that made down fashionable in the first place. Then there’s the grandaddy of the down jacket, Canada Goose. Its plump heavy-duty jackets, which veer from classic parkas to sportier, niftier models, are made using feathers from Hutterite farms in rural Alberta. There is also MR PORTER’s old favourite, Arc’teryx. Whatever brand you plump for, the down jacket is the way to make the great outdoors heavenly.

Even if your daily endeavours are more anodyne than Action Man’s, a lightweight padded jacket is an informed investment. Easy to shrug on during changeable weather, it’s also become something of a cult item among the hipster fraternity, thanks to its workwear-utilitarian aesthetic. Just add some turned-up jeans, a flat white and a frosty Brooklyn Bridge backdrop.

How does the trend-conscious man stay warm in winter? Function and high fashion aren’t known for working in harmony, but that doesn’t mean they’re mutually exclusive. The large-scale shape of a down jacket means you can’t help but be noticed. For a full take-no-prisoners effect, opt for traffic-light red for maximum impact. Bold Crayola colours have been a mainstay of functional outerwear and ski attire for decades – easy to spot on snowy tundra or in a whiteout. For a bit of added urban edge, layer yours with similar tones for an ensemble that’s far too street to be relegated to the mountain.

The down jacket may have started out as technical outerwear, but in contemporary designer circles, it’s become a seasonal mainstay. This has led to innovation in the form, from down bomber jackets to hooded parkas. Colourwise, glacial tones work harmoniously in winter and rich, jewel-like midnight blue or icy cobalt are the kind of sombre shades that seem fitting as the nights draw in. Equally, a bright, bold patterned down jacket will mark you out from the pack. Or simply go big and invest in an oversized, long puffer coat.

Insulation is certainly having what those in fashion like to call a “moment” at the, er, moment, but this is the sort of thing Italian brand Stone Island has been doing well for years, thank you very much, largely because of its tireless enthusiasm for developing innovative, heat-sealing fabrics. The utilitarian side to the down jacket, in which form follows function – brings a certain sturdiest to the fore, with additional durable and water-repellent materials to create no-nonsense clothing designed with longevity in mind. If you like the sound of that, then Herno Laminar is a name to remember.

The tech fabrics and breezy nylons employed in down jackets more often than not come with a subtle sheen, which means the colours can be more nuanced. Enhance this effect by dressing in tonal hues that effortlessly complement one another. Slate, anthracite and cobalt shades against the greys of a city Metropolis, perhaps, or rust, caramel and fawn tones in a nod to the great outdoors.

There’s a rustic appeal to down jackets that makes them a natural fit with denim. Both strike a casual mood and nod to the traditions of American workwear. Combine different textures for some subtle surface play and elevate the everyday. Try a padded jacket with love-worn denim and some chunky knitwear or nubbly woollens. A sleek leather accessory will keep things pin sharp.

The outdoorsy nature of down jackets doesn’t mean they can’t sit happily alongside formalwear. Indeed, they can act as a clever counter-balance. A solid tone – inky indigo or classic navy – will look masculine and discreet paired with formal tailoring. Combine with a sleek, lightweight suit jacket (it’s important to avoid any extra bulk) to look polished enough for professional environs, but warm enough to face the chill. There’s a rustic appeal to down jackets that makes them a natural fit with denim. Both strike a casual mood and nod to the traditions of American workwear. Combine different textures for some subtle surface play and elevate the everyday. Try a padded jacket with love-worn denim and some chunky knitwear or nubbly woollens. A sleek leather accessory will keep things pin sharp.