Whether you’re living on a diet of street style, TMZ or even current affairs, you ought to know that an outerwear is more than just a wardrobe staple (remember Melania Trump’s coat-gate?). The right piece can also anchor an outfit in a big way and make a strong statement.
Which explains why the shaggy coat — seen at brands like Tom Ford and Gucci — is our top pick for the job. It’s a level above a basic coat thanks to its textured finish which adds some flourish to a look. While shearling coats seem like an obvious choice for the job, Max Mara’s Teddy Bear Icon coat is a chicer option that has been spotted on style stars from Carine Roitfeld to Eva Chen to Hailey Baldwin.
We all know no brand cuts a mean coat quite like the Italian house of Max Mara; the Teddy Bear Icon which debuted this season builds on that repertoire. It’s based on ’80s coat designs that the brand’s creative director Ian Griffiths uncovered in the archives. Nicknamed the “Teddy Bear”, these old fluffy coats were made with plush long pile fabrics in fibres that were developed in German mills to make high-end plush toys for kids.
To recreate the effect of the fur, Griffiths and his team worked with an Italian supplier to redevelop the technology to create a sort of faux fur made from pure camel hair woven on a base of silk and added fun colourways that range from cardinal red to a dusky pink. The result is something cosy, opulent, and fashionable which can be worn with casual getups to evening dresses.
And that’s how you make a great coat.
