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Unless you’re in one of the warmer parts of the world country, temperatures are well below freezing point in New York City. With that, getting out of the comfort of bed is getting tougher and tougher. Thankfully, the art of building a winter capsule wardrobe is a thing—and, of course, that involves a high-quality coat. This year, I’ve experimented with a number of options to find the Goldilocks of outerwear—one that not only looks good but feels like a warm hug. There have been pillowy puffers and fluffy shearlings, and there have been beautiful cashmere-wool blends—all of which have been strong contenders. But if the name of the game is to feel like you’re wearing a cozy blanket without looking like it, I’ve found The One: Max Mara’s Teddy Icon Coat.
Max Mara Teddy Coat
This coat needs no introduction. It’s been a hero piece (and street-style catnip) for editors, celebrities, and many more chic women ever since the Italian label launched it in 2013. This high-pile staple even came into conversation during a team meeting when I mentioned wanting to experience the luxury of the Teddy Coat—you know, just to snuggle up in the warmth. Well, I might just say manifestation is real; that’s exactly what came next.
Julia Roberts wearing a Max Mara Teddy Coat in 2018.
Carine Roitfeld sporting the coat during Milan Fashion Week in 2013.
As the name suggests, the Max Mara Teddy Icon Coat, which was inspired by an archival ’80s piece, makes a statement with its playful teddy bear-like texture—but it truly feels like peak luxury, given that it’s made with camel hair on a silk base. Once you throw this over your shoulders, I guarantee you’ll want to happily burrow into it for the rest of winter. I certainly did when I slipped an ivory-hued alpaca wool version.
Max Mara Teddy Bear Icon Coat in Alpaca and Wool
After that first thought, my second was one of surprise. I thought it would be as heavy as its shearling cousins by appearances alone, but that wasn’t the case. This coat is incredibly lightweight—I even wondered whether or not this would keep me warm in a New York winter. (Spoiler: It did.) And that’s what I found to be the key to the oversized, slouchy fit. Plus, the pockets are lined, so there’s no chance of freezing my fingers off, either.
Slipping into this sumptuous coat was easy—especially when I was running through the city. As I mentioned before, the insulation is worth noting. I only wore a tissue-thin tee with a lightweight cashmere sweater and jeans to give it a fair assessment, and I kid you not: I could feel my body heat radiating back to me. That weight-to-warmth ratio is unparalleled. Combine that with the feeling of being that glamorous woman who throws on a fancy coat to run weekend errands…and, well, I don’t know if there’s much more I need to say. Of course, while I’ve been taking this teddy coat on more casual outings, it’s the type of overcoat you can wear for more formal winter occasions too—and what’s a better investment than versatility?
I know what you’re thinking: This coat comes with a hefty price tag. That’s valid, but if you’re ready to invest in a lifetime coat that’ll stand the test of time and always be a showstopper, this is well worth the purchase. And just in case you want to see other variations of the Teddy Coat, you can shop more styles below.