Hey girlfriend, let me ask you a question. When the temperature starts to drop and the snow starts falling, what‘s the first thing you reach for in your closet? For me, it‘s always my trusty Mackage down coat. If you‘re not familiar with Mackage, let me fill you in. This Montreal-based brand has been the go-to for luxury outerwear for over 20 years now. With fans like Meghan Markle, Gigi Hadid and Hailey Bieber, Mackage has established itself as the creme de la creme of winter coats.
But I get it, the price tags can be downright scary. I mean, we‘re talking $800 on the low end and easily over $1500 for some of their iconic styles. As someone who used to balk at spending more than $200 on a coat, I was skeptical too. But after saving up and taking the plunge on my first Mackage parka 5 years ago, I can confidently say that these coats are 100% worth the investment. And today, I‘m dishing all the deets on why.
Why are Mackage coats so expensive?
Let‘s start with the big elephant in the room – the cost. There‘s no denying Mackage is positioned at the highest end of the outerwear market. But when you take a closer look at the materials and craftsmanship, you start to understand why.
First up, the down. Mackage exclusively uses Canadian duck down with a minimum fill power of 700. In non-fashion speak, that means the down has an exceptionally high loft and insulating ability to keep you toasty without adding bulk. For context, most "good" down coats clock in around 500-600 fill power. Mackage takes it to the next level with 700-800 fill power for unparalleled warmth.
Then there‘s the fur. And before you come at me, yes it‘s real, but it‘s also ethically and sustainably sourced. Mackage works with respected fur harvesters in Canada and only uses the byproducts of the food industry. No animals are harmed solely for fashion. Plus, a portion of every Mackage fur coat sale goes towards protecting wild foxes and raccoons and promoting animal welfare.
The outer shells are also technical marvels, treated with water-repellent and wind-resistant coatings. The seams are sealed, the hardware is heavy-duty, and the linings are ultra-plush. Oh, and the silhouettes are honestly perfection – nipped at the waist, cut long enough to cover your bum, but still somehow sleek and streamlined.
Rounding out the justifications for the price:
- Produced in limited quantities with a focus on quality over mass market
- Rigorous testing for thermal regulation, comfort and durability
- Lifetime warranty for manufacturer defects
- Option for free repairs/refurbishing to extend the life of your coat
- Supporting ethical, sustainable, cruelty-free production
So while the cost is undoubtedly steep, you‘re paying for the best of the best. And when you‘re battling negative double digit temps for months on end, that‘s not something I‘m willing to compromise on.
Mackage coats vs the competition
Of course, Mackage isn‘t the only player in the designer outerwear game. Canada Goose, Moncler, Moose Knuckles – they‘ve all got their own loyal disciples. So how does Mackage stack up to the other heavy hitters? Let‘s break it down:
| Brand | Price Range | Fill Power | Fur/Down Source | Warmth Rating | Style |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mackage | $800 – $1600 | 700-800 | Canada, byproduct | Up to -30°C | Modern, tailored |
| Canada Goose | $800 – $1800 | 625-800 | Canada, some wild coyote | Up to -30°C | Rugged, bulky |
| Moncler | $1200 – $3000 | 700-800 | EU, China, byproduct | Up to -20°C | Trendy, logo heavy |
| Moose Knuckles | $800 – $1300 | 650-750 | Canada, some wild fox | Up to -25°C | Young, edgy |
In my opinion, Mackage delivers the best balance of quality, style and value. The fits are more flattering and conducive to city life compared to Canada Goose. It‘s less trendy and in your face than Moncler. And the price point is a bit more reasonable than Moose Knuckles for comparable warmth and features.
At the end of the day, all of these brands make great coats that will keep you protected from the elements. But if you‘re looking for that elegant, elevated, goes-with-everything vibe, Mackage is the clear frontrunner.
My favorite Mackage coats for women
Now that I‘ve convinced you to join the Mackage club, let me walk you through some of their most iconic and best-selling women‘s styles:
1. Mackage Kay Down Coat
The holy grail, the creme de la creme, the queen bee of Mackage coats. The Kay is a maxi length down filled parka with all the bells and whistles. It‘s got an ultra-warm Hutterite duck down fill (that‘s the 800 fill power stuff), a water-repellent and wind-resistant outer shell, and a removable hood with a lavish silverfox fur trim. It hits just above the ankles for max coverage and has a subtle A-line shape so you don‘t look like the Michelin man.
I have the Kay in classic black and it‘s been my go-to for the past 4 brutally cold NYC winters. I‘m talking temps in the negatives with windchill. This coat keeps me warm and chic whether I‘m walking 20 blocks to work in a blizzard or heading to a fancy dinner. Yes it‘s a hefty $1495 but I‘ve already gotten my cost per wear down to less than a dollar a day. And I plan on keeping it for at least another 5-10 years.
2. Mackage Adali Down Parka
If the Kay is like the Rolls Royce of coats, the Adali is like the Porsche. It‘s got a very similar DNA but it‘s sportier, more compact, and a little easier to maneuver in. The Adali has a mid-thigh length, a slim cut, and a chic utilitarian vibe with pockets galore. The down fill is a bit lighter at 700 fill power but with the addition of a down filled hood bib and knit storm cuffs, it‘s still rated for temps as low as -20°C.
I love the Adali for more casual winter activities like running errands, walking the dog, or apple picking upstate. It‘s less precious than the Kay and the shorter length gives you more mobility. But it still has those sophisticated Mackage design details like the leather trim and brushed gold hardware. Such a chic twist on a classic puffer.
3. Mackage Elodie Leather Jacket
A buttery soft leather moto jacket is a true wardrobe workhorse and the Elodie is the best in class. The lambskin is lightweight with a bit of stretch so it molds to your body but never feels restrictive. It‘s got an angled front zip closure, a snap down collar, and zips at the cuffs for that authentic biker look. The tailored fit and cropped length look killer with high waisted denim and a slouchy sweater or over a flirty dress.
I‘ve had my Elodie for going on 6 years now and it still looks pristine. The leather has only gotten softer and more supple with age and the gold hardware has a nice patina. It wasn‘t cheap at $790 but the quality and cut are truly unmatched. I‘ll have this baby in my rotation for decades to come.
What real Mackage customers have to say
Obviously I‘m a big Mackage stan but I wanted to back up my ravings with some cold hard facts (pun intended). So I scoured the web for Mackage coat reviews from real, verified buyers. Spoiler alert: I‘m not alone in my obsession.
On Mackage.com, almost every coat has a perfect 5 star rating from hundreds, sometimes thousands of reviews. Customers rave about the warmth, the tailoring, the style, the durability. Here are a few highlights:
"I‘ve had my Mackage parka for 4 years, through Chicago and Detroit winters, and it looks like it did the day I bought it. It keeps me incredibly warm without being bulky and it always gets me compliments." – Kelly S. on the Mackage Trish
"This is the best winter coat I have ever owned! I save up for a year to buy this coat and it was worth every penny." – Monica R. on the Mackage Kay
"I am in LOVE with my Mackage down coat! It fits true to size, and is extremely lightweight for how incredibly warm it is. The quality is unreal – you can tell that it is very well made and a luxury coat. I cannot recommend this coat enough!" – Jenna P. on the Mackage Calina
Even on retailer sites like Nordstrom and Bloomingdale‘s, the reviews are just as glowing. On Nordstrom, Mackage coats have an average rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars from over 400 reviews. On Bloomingdale‘s, they have an average of 4.8 out of 5 stars from around 250 reviews.
Not to mention, Mackage was awarded Outerwear Brand of the Year at the 2019 Canadian Arts & Fashion Awards. This is like the Academy Awards of fashion, so you know it‘s legit.
The overwhelming consensus? Mackage coats are the cream of the crop and worth every single penny. The quality is unrivaled, the craftsmanship is impeccable, and the styles are truly special and elevated. These are coats you‘ll cherish and wear for years, that make winter something to look forward to.
The bottom line
At the end of the day, only you can decide if a $1000+ Mackage coat fits in your budget. Heck, my husband still makes fun of me for how much I‘ve spent on outerwear over the years (he‘s just jealous he doesn‘t have a Kay of his own). But here‘s what I can tell you. After a lifetime of buying subpar coats that left me freezing and frustrated, making the leap to Mackage has been a total game changer.
I used to dread winter, cooped up indoors as much as possible counting down until spring. Now, I actually enjoy the cold months. I look forward to that first snowfall, to winter walks in the park, to heated patios with spiked cider. And it‘s all because I finally found outerwear that makes me feel protected, stylish, and dare I say excited about bundling up.
Yes, the initial price tag can be gulp-inducing. But these coats are built to last a lifetime, not just a season. They‘re the kind of pieces you‘ll be excited to pull out year after year, that will take on a storied patina, that you might even pass on to your kids one day (that is, if you‘re willing to share). Mackage is slow fashion at its finest – a worthwhile, long-term investment in staying warm, feeling great, and living your most fabulous winter life.
So go ahead, pinch your pennies, stalk the sales, and add that Mackage coat to your cart. I promise you won‘t regret it. Your wardrobe and your shivering self will thank you. Stay warm out there, girlfriend!
