The beauty of MAX MARA coats...(photos please)

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If anyone's looking for a Teddy. There are plenty of Teddys on sale at SSENSE starting at $1800!
@ehy210 I remember you mentioned trying one for $4k, just wanted to share in case you're still considering a Teddy.
 
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Hi! My honest opinion is the Teddy is not for you. Your height is fine, but you have a small frame and shoulders so the “oversized” look is lost. It now just looks sloppy in my opinion.

I think this coat is super cute, and I also tried it on. I am 5’ 2”, and I also have a small frame. The XS looked ridiculous on me. It did not look chic nor fashionable at all on me, just sloppy. Hence, I passed.

Unless you must have this coat, I would personally pass. If you don’t love it and don’t feel chic wearing it now, buying it will not change that feeling, and it will just sit in your closet which is a waste.

Just my two cents. Hope this helps in your decision. Good luck!
Thank you! :heart:
This is small. I ordered two sizes to try on, small and medium as I wanted a really oversized look. But medium was just awkwardly huge and falling from my shoulders.
 
I think it looks great on you! For some reason it does look smaller vs. the photos of camel, maybe it's a photo angle?
The gray is in XS. However, I tried on the XS teddy in both camel and gray today and the gray fits smaller- less fabric. The SA at Max Mara said the sizing difference may be due to the fact that the fabric for the teddy is camel hair whereas all the other colors are more alpaca/wool. I also confirmed that teddy and tedgirl are the same. The difference is that they call the camel “teddy” and all the other colors “tedgirl.” Will keep you posted on what I decide. I also tried it in the black which was lovely, but also a bit generic and not so special.
 
I’ve decided the camel color isn’t for me. I did try the gray color today and I thought it looked better. This is the XS. Would love some honest opinions. View attachment 5733350

View attachment 5733351
Hi! I think you really want a Teddy, so you should just get what looseness you feel comfortable with, even if it's not the supersize Teddy look. Sometimes, if you really really want a look, it doesn't have to be a perfect fit. You just need to be sure you love the look.

This gray is definitely smaller, and it's not the same "puffy" look. The classic Teddy look is the "I've been swallowed by a puffy blanket" look which this gray one is not. It is still an oversized look though which you may feel more comfortable in.

My thoughts on the gray is the sleeves are a bit short. You arms are all the way straight down, so this is the longest it will be. When you bend your arms and move, the sleeves will be super short.

It also looks like the top you are wearing underneath is thin.
This also means when you wear this coat for real, the weather will be cold (this is a heavy coat for cold weather), and most likely you will have a thicker sweater on. Which means... the thickness of your sweater will even "raise" your sleeve a bit more and make it shorter. This also means sleeve of the sweater may poke out from your coat sleeve.

For what it's worth...
A major pet peeve of mine is having a sweater sleeve poke out from my coat sleeve. It makes my coat look like it's too small for me and ill fitting. This is something that has actually happened to me when an SA once told me shorter sleeves were better as I am short (I am 5' 2"). She was so wrong as now my sweater poked out making my coat look too small for me! I rarely wore that coat as I hated that look. Big lesson learned. It's something to think about if that matters to you, which it may not.

Finally, on the color...
I've bought so many coats in my life and wasted a lot of money, so I want to share my thoughts on color.
My preference is to buy coat colors on the both extremes:
Classic Elegance: Classic Chic Camel or Go-With-Everything Black
Stand Out and Pop: Colors like red, ivory, royal blue, etc.

The gray to me is nice, but it sort of is neither here nor there to me, especially for a "Teddy Look" if this is going to be your only Teddy. The grey looks more like just an oversized coat to me, nothing really trendy to be frank (I agree with you black, definitely nothing special for a cuddly "Teddy" look). The grey and colors is purely my opinion, and I am certain others will disgree with me. I realize coat colors are 100% preference. However, I do want to share this with you in case you chose this gray because you are settling.

Max Mara coats are expensive, and it would be a waste to buy something that you don't feel fabulous wearing which then you end up rarely wearing. Think about your outfits. Forget that this coat is a "Teddy" and ask yourself would you choose gray for a big oversized coat?

I just want to share these thoughts as I feel you are still hesitating and trying to force yourself to buy a Teddy.
All that said, if you love this coat, go for it. I would definitely check on the short sleeves and your sweater sticking out past the coat. I can see that happening for sure as longer sleeves past the wristbone are the style now. Maybe they can lenghten the sleeves a bit and not have the "pressed crease" show.

I hope this was helpful. Good luck deciding!

Oh, here is a video on a model wearing a Teddy in motion in case this might help you decide:
 
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Hi! I think you really want a Teddy, so you should just get what looseness you feel comfortable with, even if it's not the supersize Teddy look. Sometimes, if you really really want a look, it doesn't have to be a perfect fit. You just need to be sure you love the look.

This gray is definitely smaller, and it's not the same "puffy" look. The classic Teddtblook is the "I've been swallowed by a puffy blanket" look which this gray one is not. It is still an oversizecd look though which you may feel more comfortable in.

My thoughts on the gray is the sleeves are a bit short. You arms are all the way straight down, so this is the longest it will be. When you bend your arms and move, the sleeves will be super short.

It also looks the top you are wearing underneath is thin.
This also means when you wear this coat for real, the weather will be cold (this is a heavy coat for cold weather), and most likely you will have a thicker sweater on. Which means... the thickness of your sweater will even "raise" your sleeve a bit more and make it shorter. This also means sleeve of the sweater may poke out from your coat sleeve.

For what it's worth...
A major pet peeve of mine is having a sweater sleeve poke out from my coat sleeve. It makes my coat look like it's too small for me and ill fitting. This is something that has actually happened to me when an SA once told me shorter sleeves were better as I am short (I am 5' 2"). She was so wrong as now my sweater poked out making my coat look too small for me! I rarely wore that coat as I hated that look. Big lesson learned. It's something to think about if that matters to you, which it may not.

Finally, on the color...
I've bought so many coats in my life and wasted a lot of money, so I want to share my thoughts on color.
My preference is to buy coat colors on the both extremes:
Classic Elegance: Classic Chic Camel or Go-With-Everything Black
Stand Out and Pop: Colors like red, ivory, royal blue, etc.

The gray to me is nice, but it sort of is neither here nor there to me, especially for a "Teddy Look" if this is going to be your only Teddy. The grey looks more like just an oversized coat to me, nothing really trendy to be frank (I agree with you black, definitely nothing special for a cuddly "Teddy" look). The grey and colors is purely my opinion, and I am certain others will disgree with me. I realize coat colors are 100% preference. However, I do want to share this with you in case you chose this gray because you are settling.

Max Mara coats are expensive, and it would be a waste to buy something that you don't feel fabulous wearing which then you end up rarely wearing. Think about your outfits. Forget that this coat is a "Teddy" and ask yourself would you choose gray for a big oversized coat?

I just want to share these thoughts as I feel you are still hesitating and trying to force yourself to buy a Teddy.
All that said, if you love this coat, go for it. I would definitely check on the short sleeves and your sweater sticking out past the coat. I can see that happening for sure as longer sleeves past the wristbone are the style now. Maybe they can lenghten the sleeves a bit and not have the "pressed crease" show.

I hope this was helpful. Good luck deciding!

Oh, here is a video on a model wearing a Teddy in motion in case this might help you decide:
Thank you BigAkoya! Yes, the arms are a bit short for the XS. They didn’t have a gray S for me to try but I’ve tried it in the size small before in another color and it was no longer short in the arms. I actually ordered the gray small for 50% off at ssense.com! Hopefully it works out. Otherwise, I’m having a hard time finding outerwear that is very warm and fashionable. I like my Manuela but it is not warm enough for walking around for hours in the city. I love love my moncler moka coat but I feel like I am reaching for it too often because it is my warmest coat. All my other peacoats are fashionable but just not warm enough. I am drawn to more moncler but want to try something new. Fingers crossed it works out!
 
Thank you BigAkoya! Yes, the arms are a bit short for the XS. They didn’t have a gray S for me to try but I’ve tried it in the size small before in another color and it was no longer short in the arms. I actually ordered the gray small for 50% off at ssense.com! Hopefully it works out. Otherwise, I’m having a hard time finding outerwear that is very warm and fashionable. I like my Manuela but it is not warm enough for walking around for hours in the city. I love love my moncler moka coat but I feel like I am reaching for it too often because it is my warmest coat. All my other peacoats are fashionable but just not warm enough. I am drawn to more moncler but want to try something new. Fingers crossed it works out!
I hope the S works out better! The sleeves will be longer for sure.
If you still don't love it and you need serious warmth, you can also look at Canada Goose. It's so popular now, and it's serious warmth.

I am thinking this one... For super cold, a hood is the bomb! Warmth to -22 degrees!
You can wear it loose (looks nice and puffy) or belted... check out the video.
https://www.canadagoose.com/us/en/marlow-parka-3900W.html
 
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Hi @pinkrose398 ! I know your post is already a few months old, but I was wondering if you happened to have a photo of your sand Madame coat in natural light/outside? I've been lucky enough to be able to order it from a friend who works for the company (yay discount!), but they didn't have this specific model in store in my city, so I haven't been able to see the colour in person.

Thanks in advance for your response!
Sharing some late photos of my new 101801 coat in sand! As I noted in my earlier post, I took my normal size - IT42/FR40/US8. It’s slightly oversized without drowning me.

I’ve been wearing it out recently and it’s surprisingly super warm. I always knew it was warm but I didn’t think it’d be as warm as a down jacket/parka when layered. I am very impressed with it.

I prefer to wear it without the belt because I am scared to lose the belt if I accidentally take it off outside. I also like that it looks more casual without the belt and more suitable for day to day wear. Overall I'm really happy with out based on the price I paid (about C$2,600 after the tax refund). It is an insane price at the Canadian regular retail price, at over C$5,000 after tax. I don't think I would pay regular price for it but at the Paris "discounted" price I'm very happy with it.


View attachment 5651012View attachment 5651013View attachment 5651014View attachment 5651015
 
Hi! The coat you purchased, the Arona, is from the S Max Mara line. The coat is double-faced wool, but it is not lined, so it will be a bit light. The S Max Mara line pieces will most likely not be made in Italy if that matters to you. This is reflected in lower price point of course.

The other coat, your second link, is from the Max Mara main line which is the high end line. It will be made in Italy. It is pure cashmere and also lined, so it can be used for a winter coat.

For me, I would go with the Quai. It’s a better quality coat (I’m a “made in Italy only” gal when it comes to Max Mara), and it will be much warmer. The Arona will be lighter. I think it depends on what you are looking for with the key difference being the warmth and fabric.

When the Arona arrives, be sure it’s thick enough for what you want. I have purchased thin wool coats, and I ended up rarely wearing it as it was not warm enough. But then, because the style is a “coat” look, it looks awkward when worn in early spring.

Just my two cents. I think you will know immediately once you try it on. You will either love it, or say, nope, not for me. The good news is you already tried on the Quai. I think the Quai is beautiful.

Hope that helps. Good luck!
 
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Hi! The coat you purchased, the Arona, is from the S Max Mara line. The coat is double-faced wool, but it is not lined, so it will be a bit light. The S Max Mara line pieces will most likely not be made in Italy if that matters to you. This is reflected in lower price point of course.

The other coat, your second link, is from the Max Mara main line which is the high end line. It will be made in Italy. It is pure cashmere and also lined, so it can be used for a winter coat.

For me, I would go with the Quai. It’s a better quality coat (I’m a “made in Italy only” gal when it comes to Max Mara), and it will be much warmer. The Arona will be lighter. I think it depends on what you are looking for with the key difference being the warmth and fabric.

When the Arona arrives, be sure it’s thick enough for what you want. I have purchased thin wool coats, and I ended up rarely wearing it as it was not warm enough. But then, because the style is a “coat” look, it looks awkward when worn in early spring.

Just my two cents. I think you will know immediately once you try it on. You will either love it, or say, nope, not for me. The good news is you already tried on the Quai. I think the Quai is beautiful.

Hope that helps. Good luck!
BigAkoya, I was hoping you would respond as it was so helpful and greatly appreciate it. I have been reading through the comments and learning. I am already in love with the Quai and I think based upon your response this one is not going to compare. Thank you again!
 
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BigAkoya, I was hoping you would respond as it was so helpful and greatly appreciate it. I have been reading through the comments and learning. I am already in love with the Quai and I think based upon your response this one is not going to compare. Thank you again!
You are welcome, and I am glad it was helpful.
I tend to think you will be disappointed how flimsy it is being unlined. Plus, and I forgot to mention this, the coat is only 3/4 sleeve.
For me, I would be too cold using a 3/4 sleeve coat. Anyway, wait until it arrives to judge. It might suit your needs if you want something light.

The Quai is beautiful, very well made, and pure cashmere.
 
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