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Original poster

Would this coat be an expensive mistake?

66 replies

JonahAndTheSale · 08/08/2016 08:01

this camel coat

It would be the most expensive thing I've ever had.

I've wanted a camel wool coat for years and, in the picture at least, this is exactly the style I'd love.

It'd mean I'd could buy nothing else this Autumn or winter for many years

Please be honest, would this be worth the money.

Is it nice?

I know it probably doesn't look as if it cost that much and some people would think it's ridiculous to spend so much. I probably think it's ridiculous to spend so much! Arghhhhh, should I order it?

I don't want to make an expensive mistake.

please tell me it's hideous

OP posts:
LyndaNotLinda · 08/08/2016 12:02

MaxMara coats are very well made and that will last you forever if you take good care of it (proper hanger/moth repellent/bag when you're not wearing it).

But agree that it must fit you perfectly and make you feel gorgeous.

EndodSummerLooming · 08/08/2016 12:04

You could wear that coat with anything. It's fabulous but I second going to a quality department store that stocks Max Mara and trying on different sizes, colours styles if you are spending £500 plus.

It's what I'd expect to pay for a classic 10 year staple. Works out at £50 per year and class and style are complimentary!

SpongeBobJudgeyPants · 08/08/2016 12:09

It is very beautiful. In line with what others have said, if you would wear it quite a bit (I wouldn't, I'm generally in the car, and at work I wear smart-casual) and unlikely to change weight, then go for it!

Gruach · 08/08/2016 12:10

Scruffy trainers would be perfect! Fine clothes should always be worn with a devil may care attitude. (We're obviously at opposite ends of the getting dressed spectrum MrPony.)

OP I admit to feeling unreasonably excited on your behalf! It's so satisfying to finally acquire something you've wanted forever - and it will probably become the centre point for all your winter clothing decisions for years to come.

(I agree that it's a more reliable experience to visit the actual physical shop - but I also feel rather strongly that online shopping has made "the best" available to everyone - even when your local high street has nothing and you have no means of getting to a city regularly.)

Absolutely no harm can be done by ordering this particular coat. It can be returned if not as lovely as expected. And you'll be more certain of the right size and can try another.

TondelayaDellaVentamiglia · 08/08/2016 12:14

would you wear it? ...I simply cannot remember the last time I wore a good coat....I am either dogwalking in one of dh's cast offs or dashing in or out of the car

ooh, I know...last year...we were away, but I certainly would want to be wearing a £500 coat a lot more than three days on a jaunt.

Aside from that it's going to be a bugger with skirts...I am not enamoured with it.

CathFromCooberPedy · 08/08/2016 12:22

You absolutely could not wear that coat with scruffy trainers/converse.

It's lovely OP. I have an expensive camel coloured jacket that l love wearing to nice outings. I've had mine 9 years now and it still looks fab and makes me feel classy

But definitely go and try it on first.

CotedePablo · 08/08/2016 12:24

I think it's lovely, but second other suggestions that you get into the shop and try it and others on.

Just don't wear it with those half mast trews the model has on! Grin

MadisonMontgomery · 08/08/2016 12:27

It's gorgeous, and it's such a classic you'd wear it forever.

CaroleService · 08/08/2016 12:27

Just have a quick look at the Jaeger OUTLET site. They have a few camel coats, and some have an extra 20 or 30% off today ...

Gruach · 08/08/2016 12:33

It is not about shaving a few pounds off the price paid by finding some other random coat!

(I may need to step awayGrin)

OlennasWimple · 08/08/2016 12:36

Try it on and see if it makes your heart sing in person

Original poster
JonahAndTheSale · 08/08/2016 12:38

Most people like it! So not helping Grin

Unfortunately trying it on in store is not an option as there's no Max Mara near me.

They do have a 28 day return policy so I might order and scrutinise...

I definitely would be open to cheaper alternatives if anyone can find something?

I looked on the jaegar site but sizes are limited and the camel coats are more straight whereas I've ALWAYS wanted slightly a line one.

The MM coat is perfect on the model but may well most likely look awful on me!

OP posts:
LoloKazoloh · 08/08/2016 12:42

It's lovely. I have a cashmere coat from Joseph that I wear every winter. Dunno how old it is. It looks exactly the same as it always has and it's SO warm and so dense I don't get wet (and it flooded here last winter).

If you are the sort of person who likes a uniform and it's the right coat, then sure. But if you don't already wear a sort of uniform and you just like the idea of dressing like that (ie: your wardrobe is actually full of Primarni, evening dresses, hundreds of patterned tops that don't go with anything else, and a poncho), then don't buy it. It will make you feel rotten even if you can technically afford it.

Know yourself. Is this your coat? Then buy it! Is this the coat of an ideal you? Don't buy it.

Gruach · 08/08/2016 12:42

You absolutely could not wear that coat with scruffy trainers/converse

Whyever not Cath? A coat like that is meant to be worn - not kept for special occasions or best clothes. Must say, I've been wearing my most expensive clothes in just that manner for decades; never occurred to me that observers might think I look crappy.Grin

JackandDiane · 08/08/2016 12:48

everything dates
Including the camel coat i had in 1989

Floisme · 08/08/2016 13:07

When I said I didn't believe in classics, I didn't mean that clothes never last - I have stuff I've owned for 40 years. What I mean is that most of my longest lasting clothes were unplanned serendipitous buys: the 50s linen jacket I bought second hand in the 70s, the karate trousers from the 80s that still come out every summer. Or more recently, the Me and Em ruched skirt and the H&M slouchy jumper - both still going strong 6 years on.

When I try and remember my planned 'investments', I think of the Me and Em ruched dress (not nearly as successful as the skirt - too full on) the 'perfect' tailored jacket that just made me feel like Mrs Thatcher, the beautiful knee length boots I splashed out on, just before I discovered ankle boots. And I could go on.

Floisme · 08/08/2016 13:15

But yes of course you could wear it with scruffy trainers/converse. I think that would look far more interesting than with heels and a 'good bag'.

cressetmama · 08/08/2016 13:29

The coat is undoubtedly beautiful and simple enough to last a long time, but I think the pps who suggest you think about how you will wear it are right. I would have got a great deal of use out of a coat like that when I lived in London and NY, travelled on public transport and worked in an office. Now I live in the country and drive everywhere, and the coats I own spend their lives in the wardrobe, in bags.

HowToChooseAUserName · 08/08/2016 13:30

I've had two Max Mara coats over probably 15 years. They are beautiful, well made and really last. I wore the first one every winter for years and it finally saw the end of its life because it was becoming thread bare. My current one is still going strong. They are very flattering because of the concealed buttons/placket.

That is a lovely coat and an investment piece. Look after it and it will repay the expenditure.

You know that old thing about a clothing item costs what you paid for it divided by the number of times you wear it? Assume you wear a classic winter coat for 3 months a year (maybe longer - this is minimum stats) that's 90 days. If it's around £500 that becomes £5.50 per wear. If you keep it for 2 years, that's then £2.70 per wear and so on.

Fact is a coat like that really lasts and if you view it per wear cost over several years; it's very much worth it.

hollyisalovelyname · 08/08/2016 13:42

Are Max Mara in the Bicester Outlet ?
I think they might be.
It might be worth checking there if you live anywhere near it.

NewStartNewName · 08/08/2016 13:48

I really don't like it, but it's a million miles from what I would wear. Also being the height of shite rules those length jackets out.

Are you well proportioned? I think it could be very unflattering on the wrong body shape

Meeep · 08/08/2016 13:49

I have a coat very like that. I'm sure you'd find one cheaper eventually. Depends how long you're happy to wait/look.

665TheNeighbourOfTheBeast · 08/08/2016 13:50

Going against the consensus here I don't think its a classic.
The quite high reveres of the neckline and long covered placket style front are going to date quite quickly as will the exposed reverse stitching on the darts.
It has heavy nodding towards classic - but "with a twist" - like the sleeve vents at the cuff....
It just not really a classic at all.
I'm not saying its not lovely but Id be wanting to make sure I had got my full value out of it in two years because I think it will look slightly uncomfortably "wrong" after that.

Meeep · 08/08/2016 13:59

There's one on House of Fraser for £169, similar enough.

SeaRabbit · 08/08/2016 13:59

MM specialise in coats and they make beautiful ones, in fabrics that last & last IME. If its been the coat of your dreams for years then get it - you'll get better service in shops - a friend who is in sales for a luxury accessories brand always has beautiful coats to give a great first impression. Make sure you take it to a decent dry cleaners though.

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