Nuevo Culture

One Part Robe, One Part Coat, This Is the Ideal Re-Emergence Piece

Photo Courtesy of Justin Bieber / @justinbieber

As we settle into almost a year of at-home living, cozy-feeling clothes have remained paramount—our go-to garments each morning for yet another day spent inside. At first, ditching rigid clothes meant leaning into pieces (matching sweatsuits, slippers, pajamas that could pass as “real clothes” on Zoom) which we never really considered for their appearances. Comfort-first and fashion-first were almost mutually exclusive.

Now, fashion seems in on it and the runways are reflecting our ongoing reality. Designers are outfiting people who may still be home, seeking comfort, but who also want to celebrate the joy of getting dressed again. Labels have responded in clever ways; there were puffed-up sleeping bag-like shoes seen in the recent collections of Louis Vuitton and Proenza Schouler and slinky ribbed knit dresses and sets (which make bidding adieu to sloppy sweats easy) at Jacquemus and Ganni. But the ultimate in hygge-inducing garments is, hands down, the robe coat—as seen in Bottega Veneta’s resort 2021 collection and worn by the likes of Hailey Bieber, Gigi Hadid, and Rihanna.

The rise of the robe coat is unsurprising. What says cozy more than a plush bathrobe? These fuzzy, robe-inspired coats are as comfortably practical as they are stylish; they sit at a special intersection between off-duty indoor wear and braving-the-elements outerwear. Plus, they also make for an easy transition back to our post-pandemic realities. As we embark on the journey of safely re-emerging this spring, pieces that are reminiscent of the home will allow us to take our creature comforts wherever we go.

From Bottega Veneta’s pretty lilac version to Max Mara’s black-and-tan striped take on the robe coat, shop these super comfortable outerwear options, below.