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

The dressing gown look seems to be high fashion at the moment.

Oh my gosh that is beautiful, I expect it is the collar giving you those vibes? I’m seeing it with a black or burgundy very simple sleek outfit like a polo and jeans or slim trousers.

I feel your pain! I have something similar. It looks so 'meh' on me because there's just too much fabric and I'm not super tall and super slim. It's agonising because you literally have to wear it (at least sometimes) because they meant well.

My only tip is to be 5 foot 11 and very slim. That would make my Max Mara coat look lovely too ... sigh.

Can this board please drop this negative "only looks good if you're 5' 11 and slim" notion? It gets said about just about everything interesting.

Most women are not slim 5' 11s". Max Mara, like most brands, is not targeting slim 5' 11" customers. Max Mara is targeting women who have enough cash to buy a Max Mara coat.

I'm 5' 2"/3" and a size 14 (occasionally a 16") I have 3 Max Mara coats in size 14. The 10180 icon in navy
Max Mara icon
and a black and camel similar to this.
Max Mara double breasted coat

They look fantastic on. That's the whole point of Max Mara coats. They don't need fretting about styling and accessories. Putting them on is an instant lift.

I absolutely love it.
Could you have the collar tailored?
I would go with some merino roll necks, gold accessories, nice bag and boots, and perhaps a Hermes style scarf.
Browns, Taupes, and burgundy?

Not all styles of Maxmara coats suit everyone.

I agree with PP that these style of coats work best on tall slim women, due to the length and waist tie. They do not work on me at all I’m 5’4” and petite, I look swamped.

The two coats you linked are buttoned, avoiding the problem of the waist tie.

I agree with Aluna. My Max Mara is similar to one of those you linked & at 5ft 3 & size 12 (though I had to size down to a 10) it looks great on me.

the style OP has looked terrible on me.

Just dipping in so haven't read the whole thread OP, but suggest ditching the self belt and replacing it with a wide leather one - definitely not dressing gowny. Also wear a large wrap in a strong pattern over the collar. Another alternative when weather not too cold - wear it open and casual with a patterned scarf inside it round your neck. Wear leather gloves with it. These should make it definitely a coat for outdoors..

I'd have to wear it open too as I just don't suit belted coats like this. They make me look dumpy and frumpy even though I'm tall and slim. The models all look great though with this kind of coat - maybe with knee boots, a nice polo neck and jeans or a skirt ( and a good bag! )

Personally I'd wear it casually - over leggings to go to the gym or a dog walk in a not-very-muddy place. But then again I don't have a very formal life.

No not black boots - dark brown.

I wouldn't say they're always easy to wear @IHaveAlwaysLivedintheCastle.

Like a lot of other posters, I'm slim but not particularly tall (size 8, 5'4") and those kind of belted coats don't look great on me, there's just too much fabric.

I have found, though, that their in-house tailors are excellent, sometimes all it takes is a little bit of nipping and tucking.

Could you have lapels tailored to be straight and slim?

I love that! I would wear it with anything and everything. Black roll neck/ jeans/ Untamed Street boots. Cosy dress with Choc brown knew high boot.
Over wide-legged jeans with a cashmere hoodie and some classic trainers; Heels, Cocktail dress, smooth hair ( ok unlikely to be me…)

Seriously, I will wear it for you!

What a gorgeous coat. Cashmere is a very light and warm fibre but attracts moths. When you aren't wearing it, put it into a clothes bag, preferably plastic, so they cant get in and eat it. Also use a cedarwood based moth repellent.