Women's Parkas

When the coldest of the cold weather comes around, you need to be prepared. That's why at The North Face, we offer women's parkas in a variety of styles.
 

What makes a parka different from other jackets and puffers?  Length.  Parkas are long coats that run down to the thighs or even the knees, while most other jackets stop at the waistline.  Early on, they were adopted for use in the military because they could be worn over uniforms due to their oversized fit.  These days, while puffers and jackets are ideal high-intensity outdoor activities like jogging and hiking, parkas are best for protection from cold wind and snow when going about life.

With only a handful of exceptions, parkas come with a hood and are well-insulated.  Our best-selling Arctic Parka, for example, features 550 fill goose down throughout the body and a beautiful faux-fur lined hood.  On the other hand, most puffers omit the hood in favor of a puffy look.  

Because of their design, parkas are ideal for winter weather.  Their length helps protect more of your body from chilly wind and their insulation keeps the body warmer when the temperature dips.  However, if you live in an area that does not receive a lot of snow, parka jackets can still be a great choice for fall and winter.  Many have a waterproof or water-repellant outer shell that, when combined with the hood, makes them a great raincoat.  
 

Some of our waterproof women's parkas include the Antora Parka, Daybreak Mid Rain Parka, and the Dryvent Mono Triclimate Parka.

How you choose to style your parka depends on the occasion.  

For everyday casual styling:

• Pair with slim jeans or pants for a balanced silhouette.  Fleece-lined leggings are also a great option.

• Layer over a button-down shirt, fleece top, or sweatshirt for extra warmth.

• Wear casual footwear like sneakers to complete the look.

• Choose neutral colors for versatility.

For a bolder look:

• Pair your parka with ripped jeans and boots.  

• A parka over a midi dress worn with chunky boots can be an unexpected look.

• Choose bold colors for a standout winter style.

• Finish the look with a beanie.

For an elevated outfit:

• Wear your parka over your pants, dress, or skirt.  

• For suits, a parka should be a few inches longer than your suit jacket.

• Stick to simple, sophisticated layers for your top such as a turtleneck or fine-knit sweater.

• Wear formal shoes or dress boots that complement your clothing under the parka.

• Finish with high-quality winter gloves and a scarf for extra warmth.

For snow activities:

• Choose waterproof, insulated pants or snow bibs to stay warm AND dry

• Use the parka as your top layer/outer shell particularly if it features a water-resistant finish.  Layer underneath as the weather conditions call for (moisture wicking base layer, fleece mid-layer)

• Wear winter gloves or ski gloves, a beanie, warm socks, and insulated winter boots 

•  Features:  Does it have a hood?  Is the hood detachable?  Is the zipper waterproof?  How many pockets does it have?

•  Insulation:  What kind of insulation does it have?  Goose down is often considered the top of the line with 900 fill being the most warm.  Synthetic fill is also a great choice but can give your parka a more puffy appearance.  Thinsulate is not as warm, but is designed to let moisture from perspiration escape.

•  Material:  Is it waterproof and windproof?  It is breathable?  For a breathable, water resistant material, check out our FUTURELIGHT technology.

•  Length:  How far does it reach?  Does it hit just the upper thighs allowing for more movement or does it reach the knees offering more protection?

Looking for men's parkas?  We have those as well.

• Green Parkas

• Purple Puffer Jackets

• Casual Women's Jackets

• Women's Insulated Coats

• Women's Raincoats

• Heather Jackets