Maxi coats are extra-long-length casual and dressy coats. Their hems finish well below the knee, usually at a length between the calf and ankle. They come in all sorts of silhouettes, colours, fabrics, weights, solids, and patterns. Some are very fluid, and others tailored. The collection below shows a range of examples. 

Maxi coats are gaining momentum because the lengths work well with midi and midaxi dresses and skirts. More importantly, maxi coats are extra warm because of their coverage. They are a good option when Winters are cold, or if you run cold.

On the other hand, people can feel overwhelmed in a maxi coat, which is why they aren’t as popular as shorter lengths. Simply put, too much coat. The extra length can be frustrating and fussy, get in the way when you drive, sit, ride a bike, or stride. Or cause overheating when you run warm. My suggestions to combat some of these challenges is to go for a maxi coat that isn’t quite as long. Opt for mid-calf grazing instead of calf-covering or longer. Second, wear a fluidly tailored silhouette instead of a roomier one.

I have two maxi coats that I adore. Both were bought at the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale, one a while ago and the other recently. They are longer on me than what you see in the product photos. The coats cover my calves, whereas on the models they cover their knees. They are maxi coats on me.

I don’t wear heeled footwear, so creating a good-for-me length, and structure in the right places is important. Both maxi coats are fluidly tailored, which helps me feel fab in them. I’d feel overwhelmed if they were much roomier and ankle length. I keep the red as a dressier coat, so it doesn’t come out as often. It’s also heavier and more fitted, so less versatile. The new navy coat was bought as a wardrobe essential to replace an ancient knee-length military coat. It’s roomier than the red and a little more lightweight. It’s working out beautifully and I’m thrilled with it. I am LOVING the maxi length of my new navy wardrobe essential. It’s insulating, looks awfully polished, and has an elegant swagger. I don’t find the maxi length annoying and can comfortably do errands on foot and walk our doggies in these coats. I add a big cashmere scarf tied in a Euro (Hoxton) knot, a crossbody bag, a beanie, and I feel fab.

Visually, I’m finding the long-length coat versatile to wear over wide legs, bootcuts, relaxed straight legs, barrel legs, midis, and midaxi dresses and skirts. There is something about the proportions that works extra well to my eye, maybe because the fluidly tailored length accentuates the vertical. Some of the pants and jeans are cropped, and I pair them with high-shaft boots or hi-tops and trouser socks so that I feel warm, and am completely covered. It’s too cold to show skin.

Long blazers are on-trend and mainstream, but I’m not into wearing  them at the moment. I prefer my blazers on the shorter side. But I love the maxi coat trend. All of a sudden my knee-length coats feel short! But of course, I still wear them and love them.

Over to you. What do you think of the maxi coat trend? Do you wear them?

These refined and pretty classic cashmere pullovers are absolutely lovely. Quite unique, and feel delicious against the skin. I’ve had them on several clients across a range of style personas. They are wearing the pullovers classically and elegantly, and with a lot of playful spunk. It’s all in the styling.

They are gently fluid, luxe, and do not run large. They don’t cling either. They layer well under jackets and coats, and have a neat and tidy neckline. Sizes are available across petite, regular, plus, and petite plus in many of the options.

The first “Ikat Rose” floral sweater has a scarf to match in the exact pattern that I can’t find online, but it’s available in stores. It’s gorgeously chic tied in a Hoxton scarf knot over the sweater with on trend wide leg, wide cropped, relaxed straight, or barrel leg pants and jeans. Add a pair of boots or loafers and you’re good to go. The sweaters work well with skirts too.

These casual looks are for Team Stripe and Team Pattern Mix. If you bat for neither team, look away because some of the outfits are hectic. Personally, I bat for both teams and like the visual effect of the looks shown here. I appreciate the creativity and playful integrity of the striped combinations, which have been pulled together with precision and attention to detail. It’s nice to see neutrals and non-neutrals in each of the outfits too.

Click the images to see the outfits up close, and variations on each of them.

1. Simple Stripes

A simple striped navy and white pullover is combined with navy wide cropped pants that have a white tuxedo stripe down the side seams. White loafers match the whites in the outfit. A second red and navy striped pullover is draped over the model’s shoulders. The navies in the mismatched stripes create outfit cohesion and allow the eye to rest.

2. Three Stripes

A solid red dress is topped with a cardigan in a multi-coloured horizontal stripe. The red stripe in the cardigan makes it match the solid dress. Two more stripes are added to the outfit, but they are simple, and only two-toned. Navy and white striped socks peak out from the lug-soled boots to echo the navy and white components of the cardigan. A navy and green striped beanie tops the model’s head and echoes the navy and green components of the cardigan. Although the stripes are mismatched, the colours that they have in common brings them together. I’d have preferred to see solid boots in navy, black or toffee because my eye wants to rest at toe boxes. But these colour-blocked boots are fashion-forward with the outfit.

3. Four Stripes

This outfit consists of four skillfully pulled together horizontal and vertical striped items. There are five stripes if you count the tuxedo stripe down the side seams of the pants. It helps that the stripes are only two-toned, and that they share a navy stripe. These elements are what creates cohesion between the striped components. A navy and white striped shirt is combined with a pair of toffee and navy pinstriped wide leg pants with side slits. A red and navy pullover tops the shirt which is left untucked to showcase more of its vertical stripe. White loafers pick up the white of the shirt, and are worn with navy and white striped socks that echo the stripes of the shirt. The sock effect is subtle because it’s hidden unless the wearer sits or strides.

4. Striped and Blocked

And last, an extra bold option. Faded denim relaxed straights are combined with a multi-coloured horizontal striped turtleneck. It’s topped with a navy and toffee colour-blocked trench coat. Jeans in a dark blue denim would create less contrast between the bottoms and trench coat, which might be more your cup of tea. White loafers match the white stripe in the turtleneck. They are worn with green striped socks that partly match the green stripe in the turtleneck. The earthy toffee blocking of the coat complements the red hair of the model. Delightful!

I enjoyed this article about how costumer Jenny Beavan told the story of “Mrs Harris Goes to Paris” via (Dior) clothes.

As a fan of detective series, I also thought “Reassuring, timeless, safe: how Angela Lansbury set the style for female TV sleuths” was a good read.

Lastly, “Stuffed in a shoebox, seized by the FBI: the amazing fates of Hollywood’s greatest dresses“, has some interesting facts!

Fab Links from Our Members

Nuancedream rarely wears black, but found this article on the hidden meanings of black fascinating. She adds: “I wish I had the opportunity to see the exhibit Balenciaga in Black.”

Suntiger came across this article about why women’s clothing doesn’t have pockets. Read forum member Ginger’s instructive comment here to learn more about this topic.

“Is My Body About to Go Out of Style?” Runcarla has been thinking about this article off and on since reading it a month ago. She says: “It’s kind of hard to read, and as a person who finds beauty in diversity — it troubles me when one body type is singled out (as ideal) over others.”

Roberta loved this article about how “fleather”, a vegan leather made out of flowers, was born.

She is also thrilled that The Met has made the entire Kimono Exhibit available online.

Mary Beth directs us to this YouTube video in which Elizabeth Debicki, who portrays Princess Diana in season five of “The Crown”, breaks down Diana’s most memorable looks for Vogue.

Stagiaire Fash stumbled upon this Instagram reel: When your nail polish colour appears to be a problem.

Minaminu thought this BBC article about 5 materials that are bad for wildlife was interesting.

She also recommends the documentary “She’s French“, now available on Netflix, that investigates the cliché of the French woman as the chic ideal of fashion and beauty campaigns.