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

He can afford to, don’t worry. It is beautiful and I do like it but it’s not my usual style - that’s all. I can make it work.

🤣 autumnal Santa made me laugh!

I think with something like this, if you’re definitely not going to sell it, you have to metaphorically roll up your sleeves and wrestle it into submission by wearing it a LOT. Don’t save it for best; as others have said, wear it with everything until you find the way it works for you. There’s something really glamorous about an expensive item of clothing worn every day with normal stuff. And that hood is going to be a lifesaver if we have a cold winter.

Obviously you might have to wait for the temperatures to drop a bit…

I'm in Scotland - the hood is awful.

Sorry OP but a Max Mara coat shouldn't need all these styling tips. I have 3, including a 10181 icon. The great thing about them is I just put them on. It doesn't matter what I'm wearing underneath or how scruffy or unkempt I might be. They don't need to be "styled". Just try wearing it but keep the collar flat.

Fortunately, I also have the non hooded versions too so I can revert to those when I feel like it.

I'm the same - you can throw them over any smart or casual outfit and always look fabulous. That coat was in the sale for a reason - it's just too difficult to work with.

Yes, I like the slouchy bag idea - Chocolate brown seems to go well.

Lovely! You’d have to wear it open, with a gorgeous scarf. Anything else is dressing gown vibes..

I agree. Wear it lots.

Cashmere with those big pockets. For wallet, phone, keys, And hands. Yum

I think it's the colour that is bringing any dressing gown vibes, so you need to contrast that. Black. Which is usually the answer in my book anyway, but black, no scarf, or anything else that will fight with the hood, the hood is excellent, lean into it, don't chop it off.

Other than that, wide leg trousers and trainers, heeled boots or shoes, joggers and a cashmere sweater and trainers and hair up, baggy jeans and a slim fitting polo neck, whatever, but you will need to anchor it with some black and something else to signal that you're not out because there was a fire alarm in the hotel, like a good solid pair of earrings.

It does look exactly like a dressing gown doesnt it? Even the model seems to be styling it like she is heading for a night in front of the telly!LOL😅
To me it looks like the kind of thing you would wear with crazy expensive athleisure wear (that has never seen inside of a gym) and a ridiculously huge scarf....probably whilst carrying a Stanley cup.
Im too messy/clumsy to ever have a cream coat though!

It oozes quality op.

I love Max Mara but their coats do take a bit of getting used to when it comes to wearing them, and are often rather dressing-gowny; it's just a strong element of their look (though the fabric quality makes it quite clear to all that it isn't).

I find the best way to make it look casually voluminous but still contained is to leave it open and tie the belt behind you at the back ( looped though on itself) and in this way you can manage the volume of fabric a little by not having it flapping about you at the front.

I never do the dressing gown tie pulled tight around the waist at the front. I don't care who it is wearing it: from the back it looks horrendous!

I agree: don't chop the hood off! It's an integral aspect of the fluidity of that coat.

Surely he’s not so naive as to give a woman a present of clothing and not include the receipt so she can exchange it?

Personally I would sell it on Vestiaire while it’s still current stock to get the highest price for it. You will get enough for it to buy another Maxmara (non cashmere) coat. If it’s the same colour he may not even notice…

Otherwise I would have some hooks added so you can wear it closed without the belt.

As long as they have buttons they’re fine.

Also OP, remember when you look at it, you are only really able to get a static front view. What people see is the movement in the coat when you walk - and Max Mara coats have fantastic movement.

I do find that "anchoring" things a little by tying behind allows for this swishy feel without swamping you at the front.

How old are you?

I have always lusted after a MaxMara camel coat but have told myself it needs to wait until at least my forties. It’s a look associated with mature women. Nothing wrong with that but that might be why it feels wrong when you put it on.

I’m wondering then if the answer is to make the rest of your look a bit more directional/fresh? Basically DO NOT pair it with a pashmina under any circumstances.

How does it look with trainers? I feel like it could go either way…cool, or like you have given up on life.

Yep, exactly. I have just one, a classic shape, similar to 10181. Long and beautiful. Looks great with absolutely everything, formal stuff, dresses, jeans, trousers or athletic-wear. Boots or trainers. Doesn't matter, it elevates any outfit.

The coat in the OP is awful, don't care what's it made of, or what brand is it, it's just ugly. The colour, the cut, the hood - everything is wrong with it. Sloppy, dowdy, 'The Big Lebowski' vibes. I'd definitely sell it on, buy another and explain it to H.

You definitely need to knock this "surprise present" thing on the head asap, or you are going to be dealing with this problem over and over again! It seems sweet now but in 10 years time you are going to be tearing your hair out, (and have a house full of expensive clothes that you hate wearing).

Tell him - nicely - that you appreciate the thought but you like to choose your own clothes.

40s
I think you’re right that it could be worn with sportswear for a more sporty look with trainers or you could dress it up.

Yes I think maybe you’re too young for it still, so giving it an edge might be the answer. Do you have a cool bag you can use? Like the pashmina thing, a boxy handbag is just going to be really ageing with it (the Dolores Umbridge effect). Big hoops!

Beautiful coat. IME this style is super easy to wear open and suits everyone- you definitely don't need to think too hard about it and I suspect you'll wear it all the time once you're used to it.

To wear it tied at the waist without the dressing gown effect, it helps to be tall. If you're short, try it with a thin leather belt rather than the tie.

I agree. Admittedly I know nothing about 'posh' fashion but its giving me New Look vibes, like those unlined felt coats they sometimes sell.
I certainly wouldnt look at it and think it was expensive or designer.
TBH I think the only way it would look decent is if you layered another coat over the top!!LOL😆

I do have a slouchy suede bag that I think could work

Have a look on Pinterest they always have ideas for looks