Coats That Make an Entrance

EVER SINCE Nicole Kidman donned a succession of dramatic coats in the HBO twisted murder mystery, “The Undoing,” the Web has been buzzing with coat commentary. Kidman as Grace Fraser is a clinical psychologist who lives in the rarified air of NYC’s Upper East Side with her oncologist husband and young son.

Unlike the kind of classic, less-than-colorful coats we can imagine her colleagues would wear, Kidman appears in long dreamy coats in red velour, moss green textured fur and floral brocade. Her boho-influenced outerwear also sets her apart from the other wealthy mothers in her son’s school, including her BFF lawyer friend played by Lily Rabe, who is clad in creamy ivory/beige throughout the miniseries. Her father wears Savile Row; her murder-suspect husband’s tweed jacket looks as if it comes from a sale bin somewhere.

Whatever Kidman’s coat selection may signify about her (I have my own theories), her choices are not ordinary. And that has caused us to think about stepping out of our comfort zone to take a page out of Kidman’s playbook.

Now that the Fahrenheit is dipping (we currently have a couple of inches of snow), about the only thing that distinguishes us from our mask-wearing circle of friends physically distanced around the fire pits, under porch heat lamps or on winter walks is our outerwear. Might as well make it fabulous. As to what you have on underneath, no one sees—or cares.

Statement, eye-catching winter coats from high-end design houses like Celine, Valentino, et al., are investment-grade expensive. But newer brands like Swedish label Stand Studio offers a large selection of cozy, faux-fur teddy coats in lots of unexpected colors (like pastel blue) and patterns, some of them on sale at Farfetch for less than $500. Anthropologie, too, carries several fun, faux-fur choices in the $300-and-under range. And Norma Kamali has reinvented her fab sleeping bag coat of old in a more streamlined silhouette with the same long-lasting fabrics worth shelling out $800-plus for.

Be noticed—in a good way. Shop our choices below for not-to-be-missed outerwear.

—Janet Kelly

LEFT: Michelle Waugh uses luxury fabrics from sustainable sources for her collection of classic coats with a modern edge. Thanks to the designer site’s archive sale, the water-repellent Sylvie Long Puffer with 100 percent goose down fill is discounted by 50 percent, from $1,995 to $995. RIGHT: For now, wear this statement Black Floral Brocade Swing Coat ($325, Buru) over your basic jeans or leggings and t-shirts or turtlenecks for a festive Zoom celebration en famille. Looking ahead, it’s an elegant topper to wear to an IRL soirée.

LEFT: Not for those who shun the spotlight. Stand down, all you black puffy coat wearers. Shrimps designer Hannah Weiland has an eye for bold color and whimsy, like this azure Aidan Gingham Faux Fur Coat (reduced to $398 from $995, Outnet). RIGHT: Make this fun Marbled Faux Fur Coat ($268, Anthropologie) in a not-so likely combo of pink and dark olive green the star of your winter wardrobe.

LEFT: Norma Kamali’s Classic Sleeping Bag Coat ($840) is not the one you remember from the early ’70s. Although it’s still boxy, comfy and generously cut and uses the same method to keep out the cold (each coat is actually two coats sewn together with air pockets in between), the revived silhouette is leaner, comes with a waist-cinching belt and in patterns like the herringbone tweed above, as well as plaid, leopard, python and pinstripe. CENTER: We could easily warm up to Stand Studio’s Linda Faux Shearling-Trimmed Faux Leather Coat ($656, Matches Fashion) with its rainbow-colored faux leather exterior. That’s plush faux shearling at the lapels and on the cuffs. And the lining is faux astrakhan—in sunny orange. RIGHT: Bright, playful floral patterns are the stars on this boho-chic Damask Zip-Up Sherpa Hoodie ($345) from Johnny Was. The hood makes it feel especially cozy for any cold-weather occasion, like a socially distant, masked gathering around your pal’s fire pit.

LEFT: Get your shine on with this Metallic Jacquard Swing Coat ($495) with gold lining from Kate Spade sibling, Frances Valentine, known for vintage-inspired designs. Dress it down with black cigarette pants. Or go for broke à la the late Kate herself with with a leopard bag and pomegranate pants. RIGHT: Although Moncler is mostly known for its spendy ski wear, reserve this Bouteille Giubotto Belted Hooded Coat ($1,900 Farfetch) for après ski or any time you’re inclined to look stylishly sporty and warm.

LEFT: Labeled as a brand that marries Swedish simplicity with French style, Stand Studio is getting lots of fashion-industry buzz for its innovative coats, such as this zebra print Aurora Faux Fur Midi Coat ($644, Farfetch) with faux leather trim. RIGHT: Named after co-founder Sarah Staudinger, L.A.-based Staud’s specialty is retro styling and flattering, feminine silhouettes. The textured faux fur on this Frankie Oversized-Collar Faux-Fur Coat (reduced to $357, Matches Fashion) looks similar to the green coat Nicole Kidman wears in the first two episodes of “The Undoing.” 

LEFT: Plaid coats feel and look fresh for the season. Pair the pattern with faux-fur cuffs, hem and collar, and the cool quotient goes way up. Hurry if you want to make Shrimps River Tartan Coat (reduced from $1,075 to $645, Matches Fashion) your fashion statement. It’s only still available in a couple of sizes. RIGHT: Long coats with oversized, shaggy collars were the go-to silhouette on 2020 fall fashion runways. The fringed hem is a delightful detail. Pinko’s Fur-Paneled Houndstooth Coat is $895 at Farfetch.