"Max Mara" 90’s-00’s Double-breasted pea coat

Max Mara is a maison that has continued to create long-lasting elegance based on the selection of high-quality Italian materials and pattern design that beautifully showcases the body’s lines. Without relying on flashy decorations, the design elements such as the angle of the collar, the overlap of the front placket, and the way the fabric drapes create a poised appearance, making the air around you feel refined just by wearing it. This time, we introduce a piece that stands out with urban minimalism and beautiful material use.

This is a rare coat supported by information from the Silver Tag period of the late 1990s to early 2000s.

Since it is clearly marked as 100% virgin wool on the quality label, even in a single black color, it creates a smooth shadow on the surface, and the way the light hits it gives a soft, glossy texture. The silhouette is a mid-length peacoat style, with the center of gravity neither too high nor too low, balancing the overall proportions immediately upon wearing, and the overlapping surface created by the double-breasted front adds a natural strength to the chest area.

The collar is designed to be large, creating a neat V-shape when laid down, and when raised, it tightens the impression around the neck, allowing for different expressions even with the same black. The buttons are all the same color, creating a unified and beautiful surface without distracting the eye, and buttons on the cuffs maintain a classic sense of tension down to the hands. The body is not overly tapered, falling smoothly from the shoulders to the hem, making it less likely to look tight even when wearing thick inner layers.

Regarding its authenticity, the significant point is that the brand tag is not a common white tag but a gray satin with white embroidery, known as the Silver Tag, used in a specific period from the late 1990s to early 2000s within the first line. Additionally, the Japanese quality tag includes the Quality Information Center notation and TIC code, and the absence of the later domestic authorized distributor notation of Max Mara Japan Co., Ltd. indicates it is a circulation piece from before the current fixed reporting system of the Japanese branch. Furthermore, the design with a double-breasted peacoat style and larger lapels aligns with the minimalist tailoring trend of the late 1990s, and the details and tag information point in the same direction, making the period from around 1998 to 2002 the most natural estimate.

The unique value of this piece lies in the choice of 100% virgin wool material and the urban minimalism characteristic of the Silver Tag period. Unlike the heavy, mature lady coats with white tags, it is a mid-length that fits everyday movement, yet maintains a high level of finish with double layers and a large collar, making it both practical and elegant. Despite the large amount of black, it doesn’t look heavy thanks to the careful design of the surface.

In daily life, it naturally blends in on days when you want to present a polished appearance for commuting, and it’s reliable when you want to dress up on days off. Its manageable length makes it easy to wear in a city life with lots of movement, and it’s satisfying that it retains a sense of quality even when taken off.

In terms of styling, pairing a minimal shirt with neat slacks naturally highlights the construction of the peacoat. Another idea is to layer it over an elegant dress or a flowing skirt, which accentuates the urban elegance that Max Mara excels at, ensuring the coat doesn't dominate the entire look but remains cohesive.

Take this opportunity.