2023 marks 10 years of the iconic Max Mara Teddy Coat; a warm wrap-round piece which also acts as a great big winter hug! Whilst the Teddy Coat engulfs you, the Fluffy Residence mirrors this and, like a shawl, enshrouds the wanderer. Open in Covent Garden until 26th December, be transported to this dreamland ….
Thank you to the lovely Max Mara team who were so welcoming on the day and really emanated the warmness and kind-heartedness of the home!
NB: No teddies were harmed in the making of these coats, house or post!
REDISCOVERING OUR PAST
We all loved squeezing our teddy bears to sleep when we were kids – they were soft, plush and comforting. The Max Mara Teddy coat evokes these childhood emotions through its soft, huggable texture, transporting you back to your past (or, at the very least, your winter duvet).
Just as we rediscover our own past and childhood memories, Max Mara’s 10 year old Teddy Coat traces its roots back to the 80s. Creative Director Ian Griffiths took inspiration from the Max Mara pea coat of the 80s, created in the same German factories as Teddy Bears and children’s toys. These mills closed, and the Max Mara coat production similarly slowly faded. That is, until Griffiths created his own modern twist on the Teddy Coat, weaving camel hair with silk, to create a luxuriously soft blanket to snuggle and cocoon into. Griffiths further revived the coat in the FW17 collection, incorporating brighter colours, and it’s been a ubiquitous piece in wardrobes across London, Milan and New York since. These are loved from Rosie Huntington Whitley to Elsa Hosk and more.
STATEMENTS
Although this coat could double up as a duvet, Max Mara have stamped their piece with signature features so you *can* still walk the Bond Street catwalk without taking the “Just got out of bed” (or, rather, “Still in Bed”) look quite literally. The wide lapels with large stitching add some structure to the jacket so you can wrap up warm and be stylish as you explore the Christmas markets and watch the NYE fireworks.
SIZES: A GREAT BIG SNUGGLY HUG
Once I saw (and, importantly, felt) the Teddy Coat at The Fluffy Residence, I had to go straight after to Harrods. I’m not usually an oversized coat girl, as I feel engulfed and it doesn’t suit my figure. However, this is not the case with the Max Mara Teddy coat. Yes, it is oversized, but it is so oversized and structured in such a way that it doesn’t make ~you~ look oversized. I would love to wear my full outfit underneath – think blazer, jumper, shirt etc. – and the Teddy Coat allows you to do so. Simply drape over your winter wardrobe without worrying about trapped sleeves, buttons which can’t close, and struggling to take it off. The only struggle you’ll have on that front is that you won’t *WANT* to take it off as it’s so snug!
I loved this blush-pink Tedgirl alpaca-blend and did not want to take it off. The shade of pink makes it a lovely natural piece to wear to work, or casually, without being bright or vibrant. However, it’s still pink so I could still inject my pink personality into outfits! The alpaca blend will keep you warm and cocooned and you won’t be taking it off.
If you prefer to keep things safe with a more standard neutral option, I’d recommend the camel colour – you would blend into the Fluffy Residence. The dark grey coat is great if you don’t want to go too overpowering with a midnight black, but still want to keep your look dark and chic. If your coat collection already features blacks, navys, camels and dark greys, then I’d recommend this unique sand-grey coat – it’s a grey-camel hybrid, meaning you will have a refreshing look in a sea of coats on your next outing!
SCARVES, MITTENS & MORE
If the whole “cosy warm blanket” coat isn’t your cup of tea, but you’d still like to keep warm this winter and try the Teddy wear, then Max Mara’s mittens, scarves and ear muffs created with the Teddy material are a good way to incorporate coziness into your outfit in a less engulfing way.
Or, if you are like me and get cold easily in the winter months, then why not go all out and wear the Teddy mittens and Teddy earmuffs … is it a bird? Is it a plane? No it’s a Max Mara Teddy! In times like this, it’s not fashion OR function, the Teddy shows you can be warm, cosy, snug AND stylish. Walking around in a duvet which is fashion approved and acceptable, yes please.
THE FLUFFY RESIDENCE
Mesmerising and captivating, Teddy’s Fluffy Residence is a magical experience. The Fluffy Residence has been touring the globe, and this Christmas it has made London its home. It’s a dream land. Softness, coziness, snugness. Located in the heart of the busy Covent Garden, the Fluffy Residence whisks you away, and is a quiet, calming bubble within this sea of hustle and bustle.
You’ll feel as though you had stumbled inside a true Teddy land in the Alps. It’s as though you’re transported on the polar express into a magical world far away. Or, as though you have stepped through the large doors into a Narnia-esque universe. Or, to be more in the pop culture times, stepped into a Charlie and the Chocolate Factory -esque parallel universe. What do they all have in common? You’re suddenly in a vortex, in a parallel universe, amidst a new way of “life”.
The whole experience is truly sensual – soft material drapes and covers almost every single item in this Teddy House (bar the lights and TV of course. Unfortunately, you can’t watch TV with material wrapped round it).
Feel, touch and play with the kitchenware – you’ll be wanting to cook in no time. I loved how even the food was draped in soft plush material – including the eggs and veggies. Teddy’s Christmas Dinner is already laid out on the table … talk about efficient Christmas prep! Try to resist taking a bite. I dare you.
Make your way across to my favourite room … the lounge. I could see myself lounging on the soft sofa with a good book in hand, snuggled up on a winter’s evening. The Christmas tree with presents underneath created a festive ambiance, evoking kind-hearted and loving emotions. Teddy even left the TV on for you to watch !
Walk round the corner and be greeted by Teddy’s *very* Teddy bed. As soon as you sit on the bed, you’ll want to find Teddy and have a great big hug (I kid you not!). Spot Teddy’s Teddy coats in the wardrobe … I had to go to Harrods after to try on these incredibly soft and warm pieces (see above).
You can be sure that it is on my list for my next winter’s coat (if I can wait that long… I may succumb to the temptation and buy it sooner!)
Have you been to The Fluffy Residence? Did you enjoy it as much as I did? Which is your favourite Teddy coat?
I would love to know and discuss!
Lots of love,
Jo xoxo
PS. Post uses affiliate links. The opinions expressed above are my genuine thoughts on the coats and Fluffy Residence. <3
