Help me make this Max Mara coat work – styling tips please!

[Styledilemma89]

DP very sweetly bought me a Max Mara coat - it’s gorgeous quality and I know it was expensive, so I feel I must wear it.
Problem is… every time I put it on I feel like I’m heading out in my dressing gown.
It’s one of the wrap styles with a belt, quite long and in a light grey colour There’s no option to return it, so I need to find a way to make it work.
www.thebs.com/en/marilyn-hooded-beige-cashmere-wrap-coat-max-mara-123257

It might be because it’s from the 2015 collection it looks a bit dated on you as it was very of an era. Are you sure your husband would be upset if you resold again on Vinted (or wherever he got it)? There are so many Max Mara coats on there, you could get a more classic one or on that’s more your style. I’m not sure removing the hood would work with the coat.

Yes it can be worn flat, fortunately! Which does make it more coat like.

He would be ok with it but I do think he’d be disappointed. It was such a sweet thing to do and he thinks I look lovely in it so I want him to see me wearing it (ideally). If I can’t make it work, then I will have to resell.

it was bought in Harvey Nichols Sale - they won’t even exchange sale items apparently!

That’s a beautiful coat, don’t remove the hood, just start wearing it, it’s not really cold enough now, but once you’ve worn it a few times you will adjust.

It was bought in Harvey Nichols sale and they won’t even exchange sale items.

Gorgeous coat but I get what you mean about dressing gown vibes. Id wear it open, all black or navy clothing, statement boots. Maybe experiment with a black belt. I wouldn't be messing around getting the hood removed. It might completely ruin the coat. If youre willing to do that you might as well go to the shop to exchange!

The hood is the one thing I love about it!

Get rid of the belt (well, store it somewhere!). Pop the collar a little, roll up the sleeves a tad. Big shaggy scarf in complementary colours. This is how I make MM coats work for me.

(sorry)

I’ve got a high street version of this coat and I love it! I don’t wear it until it’s properly cold usually but when I do it’s usually with something interesting poking out like a roll neck or a scarf, or I switch out the belt for a brown leather skinny belt (have experimented with a wide belt but it had a big buckle and I looked like some kind of autumnal Santa!).
I’d also always do a big bag over the crook of the arm with that type of coat, very effective and breaking up the ‘block’ (particularly if you are straight up and down like me)

God, I’d be distraught to say it when someone has bought what should be such a fabulous gift, but that does look tricky. I’d agree with getting a good tailor to remove the hood, as that’s definitely the bit that’s tipping it in to dressing gown.

Oh no, you didn't..

😂

I would also balance the pale softness of the coat with something darker such as your monochrome suggestion. I also think switching out for a different belt would help.

I would opt for a chunkier shoe to add to the outdoors look, and provide more balance. Dark bag too.

Pushing up the sleeves would also work well.

I’m sure I’ve seen a video of Trinny styling this type of coat. As you’d expect from her it’s all monochrome or pop of colour, layers, chunkier boot, pushed up sleeves. Sorry, can’t find the link to share it.

Beautiful coat and I love that you’re trying to make it work.

Love that coat! And the hood (albeit I live in Scotland and a stylish coat with a hood is a wondrous thing!) Keep it, wear it with everything and see how it works and what you feel good in. Heels will definitely make it more coat, less dressing gown, but other than that, it’s about the wearer Owning It when out in it! I’m seriously jealous, it’s beautiful.

It’s beautiful , do not remove the hood ! When you have your autumn / winter clothes on it will look completely different. Very cool coat !

Autumnal Santa! 😁

I think a structured bag would also work. A bit like the kind the late Queen used to carry. Nice contrast with the slouch ones.

I agree with the PPs saying to see if a good tailor can remove the hood as I agree it's one of the things making it a bit bathrobe-y. It's a big hood and seems to pull the back down a bit, but I also think the dropped shoulders and slouchy sleeves are contributing.

It's gorgeous.

However it doesn't help that the model is slouching like she's waiting for the kettle to boil after a heavy night out.

I think it's okay for you to resell it, it was a gamble buy and I'd personally prefer for all that money to spent on things I love to wear. But aside from that I think you have to make a big effort to look properly dressed so it doesn't look like a dressing gown. I think that means hair done and not just thrown up in a pony tail, statement-y shoes, whether boots or heels. Scarf or polo neck or shirt lapels with jewelry peeking out the top. Statement-y or big hand bag, statement rings/bracelets. Basically you have to wear the coat by balancing it out with other items, or else it'll look like it's wearing you. Especially if you are small or average height, I think the bigger you are the easier it is to wear something like this.

😂😂

That's right.

Please don't remove the hood. That coat needs cold weather to come into its own. Once you've worn it a few times you'll feel comfortable in it, as you should.

A lovely polo neck in a strong dark colour and beautiful boots (suede) would set it off.

@Styledilemma89 I would take the belt and tie it round at the back like a necktie, without dragging it in. lie it on the bed to do this. couple of tacking stitches to keep collar in place and hood too if it has one. wear it open. tie belts on coats dont do much for anyone, look at markle, nearly everything she has is a tie belt and they look awful! in the winter, buy a nice big contrasting fur hat. it will look really smart.

Oh gosh. I'd be trying so hard to be appreciative, but I fear I'd need the coat to ward off the cold draught of anger and alienation that had crept into my marriage! I think you are very lovely OP.

I agree with others, if you wait until it's properly cold, then it will seem much more appealing. Imagine yourself in this photo (click to expand), with fantastic boots and bold scarf and gloves, striding undaunted with rosy cheeks, while the leaves whirl or snow gently drifts around you. Everyone will envy your elegant warmth.

I also agree that fantastic posture will help. Banish all traces of stumbling from pillow to kettle!

(If all else fails, move to a tumbledown ruin in the frozen wilds, without any hope any heating, and you have what we call an indoor coat, the luxury edition.)

Why on earth would someone buy something so expensive without checking they liked it first?

I'd be fuming with my DH if he so stupid, thankfully he isnt.

I’ll definitely keep the hood.
I’ve just ordered some lovely dark brown suede knee length boots with a heel and I have worn in this morning (just to try on at home) with a chocolate brown polo and that seems to work.