My Winter Coat Goes for a Test Drive

Committing to a winter coat is as weighty a decision as purchasing a car. (And with the price of coats these days, it feels as expensive, too.)

Earlier this year, I wrote about some of the coats I was considering. I wound up eschewing all those options, choosing this navy Maje mohair blend, which I snagged during their friends and family sale. (It’s available in black here.)

Navy Mohair Coat: Maje | Black Cashmere Turtleneck: Neiman Marcus (Outlet) | Olive Trousers: Balenciaga (Consignment) | Chelsea Boots: Secondhand | Handbag: Alexander Wang (Nordstrom)
Navy Mohair Coat: Maje | Black Cashmere Turtleneck: Neiman Marcus (Outlet) | Olive Trousers: Balenciaga (Consignment) | Chelsea Boots: Secondhand | Handbag: Alexander Wang (Nordstrom)

I took the coat out for its first road test last weekend in Rochester, NY, where temperatures fell somewhere between “why did I move away from Miami” and “just kill me already.” Walking to the edge of this seemingly endless pier seemed like a great idea at the time — but walking a half a mile back to the Lake Ontario shore was another matter entirely.

Back to the coat. It was a risky investment I did not consider lightly. As I’ve discussed, the over-sized trend has rendered mixed results on me — and peacoats, while ubiquitous and boring, are always a safe bet.

In order to pull the trigger, I relied on one of my biggest shopping secrets: When considering a risky trend, do not always focus on the WHAT — focus on the HOW. I tried the coat on several times at both the Soho and Williamsburg stores, focusing on HOW I could wear it — swinging open, buttoned, belted and sleeve-scrunched.

Coat: Maje | Trousers: Balenciaga (Consignment) | Chelsea Boots: Secondhand (Tokio 7)
Coat: Maje | Trousers: Balenciaga (Consignment) | Chelsea Boots: Secondhand (Tokio 7)

The cocoon shape is androgynous and plucked from another era, reminding me of something a sailor would have worn for a trans-atlantic journey circa 1902. (Should you wish to try this coat shape, I’d recommend trolling some antique fairs rather than paying retail.)

When paired with a muted palette (the trousers, boots and cashmere sweater are monochromatic and steeped in Parisian aesthetics), the coat catapulted the outfit to a more sophisticated level.

Which reminds me of another great fashion truth: The true pleasure of clothes is derived not from showcasing the body, but emphasizing the articulation and creative process of the wearer.

xxx