Cinema’s most extravagant coats to inspire your winter wardrobe
IMAGE VIA @spell/INSTAGRAM
Words by Rachel Barker
From Penny Sage to Elphaba.
Dressing for winter can feel overwhelming. It’s hard trying to strike the right balance of comfort and style, with brands and tastemakers pulling us in different directions as we balance the southern hemisphere’s inverted trend cycle. But if there is one place to go for evergreen fashion cues this oceanic winter, it’s the cinema.
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So, to curb the coming cold and find some fresh inspiration, we’re highlighting our favourite winter coats to have graced the silver screen. From Funny Girl to Wicked and Almost Famous, there’s no shortage of well-dressed leading ladies (and James Dean, because of course). And thankfully, we’ve got a curation of modern-day alternatives from a lineup of local labels to help recreate the look.
Amadeus, 1984
Costume designer: Theodor Pištěk
While Amadeus follows the rise of Mozart during the classical period, his flamboyant performance jacket is anything but outdated. Pastel hues and various shades of green have been gaining popularity in recent months, and the soft pistachio of Mozart’s design strikes a perfect balance. Plus it’s a cool tone, perfect for injecting a little colour into your winter wardrobe.
During the iconic scene in which Mozart makes his stage debut, he contrasts the jacket against a candyfloss pink wig. It may not seem so 18th century, but various lesser-known portraits show us otherwise. Pištěk’s design weaves a beautifully delicate floral embroidery through the brocade fabric. Florals for spring? Truly groundbreaking! Take a peek at some local options below.
Em on Holiday Bouquet Reversible Quilted Jacket
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Unreal Fur Feuilles Mortes Coat
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Variety Hour Embroidered Fleece Jacket
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Suspiria, 2018
Costume designer: Giulia Piersanti
Mia Goth’s Sara wears one of the most sumptuous coats in recent cinematic memory in the remake of Dario Argento’s Suspiria. While the original film was saturated in neon hues, from garish pinks to vivid greens, Guardagnino’s film is a mist of blues, greys and browns.
The wintry desaturated colour palette is continued in the stunning ’70s costumes. Ponchos, a fixture of the ’70s, are popping up constantly on our Pinterest feeds and Sara’s voluptuous coat is a perfect induction to running errands in blanket-like layers. It’s cosy, classic and elegant. Thankfully, there are plenty of local options on offer.
Bianca Spender Clay Check Wool Veil Trench
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Elka Collective Winona Coat Dark Camel
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Wicked, 2025
Costume designer: Paul Tazewell
Without a doubt, Wicked is one of the most beautifully costumed films of the year, if not the decade. From Glinda’s candy-striped school uniform to Madame Morrible’s celestial frocks, the whimsical costumes take you somewhere magical. Somewhere over the rainbow, perhaps (sorry).
Of Elpheba’s intricately tailored, all black outfits, there’s one in particular that’s got our attention. Upon arrival to Shiz university, she wears a beautiful high collared coat in an Edwardian silhouette, typical of her costumes throughout the film. The puff-sleeved and waist cinched coat may not seem immediately wearable but these silhouettes are becoming increasingly popular as the sartorially inclined look further and further into the past for inspiration. The ’80s meets early 20th century shape is everything for anyone wanting to stand out this season.
Verner Prom Jacket
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Lover Nolan Blazer
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Funny Girl, 1968
Costume designer: Irene Sharaff
The costumes of Funny Girl are the perfect balance of playful and glamorous. Furs, sequins and flirtatious hemlines abound in this musical adaptation of Fanny Brice’s life, starring Barbara Streisand. Our favourite among the bunch? Streisand’s lush leopard print coat.
For the girls who get it, leopard print coats are a forever staple. They can be teamed with a silky negligee, a chunky Doc Marten or even a plain hoodie, depending on whether you’re going for sex-kitten or glam rocker. In a leopard print coat, you are Kate Moss. Leopard aside, the Funny Girl coat’s plush black collar creates a beautiful contrast to the busy pattern. It’s striking, sexy and still feels entirely modern.
Unreal Fur Long Song Coat
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Rebel Without a Cause, 1955
Costume designer: Moss Mabry
Rebel Without a Cause defined a generation. Teenagers were born, and with them, teen style. It may not be as extravagant as the rest of the jackets on this list but James Dean’s 1950s bomber is in every sense of the word, iconic. The oversized bomber has been a firm fixture of Australian winter fashion, and like Dean’s legacy, it’s not going anywhere. It epitomises effortless cool.
Beyond the baggy shape and signature welt pockets, the vivid colour of Dean’s jacket is particularly enticing. It can be easy to fall into a slump of dark and dreary clothes in winter, so why not embrace the season by amping up a classic style with a burst of colour?
Blanca Pia Windbreaker Red
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Elka Collective Josie Bomber Jacket
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Almost Famous, 2000
Costume designer: Betsy Heimann
We couldn’t not include Penny Lane’s fabulous fur coat on this list. The coat is a groupie staple, simultaneously discreet and attention-grabbing, perfect for sneaking around behind music venues on dark, chilly nights. Designer Betsy Heimann described the extravagant jacket as ‘Penny’s safety‘. Heimann said the design was inspired by cocoon-shaped opera coats of the late ’20s, but she updated the look with ’70s finishes like cut velvet and the shaggy yak fur collar.
There’s a distinct element of whimsigoth to it, which we’re seeing more and more of from young and hungry fashionistas. Picture it paired with a sheer floral slip, chunky disc belt and wine-red boho bag. Sultry and chic. Find some locally-designed options to keep you warm.
Spell Starlet Jacquard Coat
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Unreal Fur Avant Garde Coat
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Spell Joplin Jacket
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Emma, 2020
Costume designer: Alexandra Byrne
Emma adapts Jane Austen’s timeless novel and creates a pastel-washed vision of the Regency period. The film’s costume design enriches the lush aesthetic, featuring all the bonnets and high bust lines a history buff could hope for. Where Bridgerton stumbled in creating innovative but accurate costumes, Emma shone.
The poster features the titular Emma, played by Anya Taylor-Joy, in a bright yellow coat. The design is unfussy and the colour is bold. Butter yellow is undoubtedly having a moment but with Demi Moore also sporting a bright yellow coat in horror hit The Substance, you can imagine that a spectrum of sunshine tones will remain in style for a while to come.
As with the early 1900s silhouettes of Wicked’s Elpheba, people are increasingly eager for new and exciting silhouettes – by which of course, we really mean old silhouettes. The cut of the 1800s Regency coat, cinching directly below the bust, ticks the box for those seeking more unique outerwear this winter.
Hansel and Gretel Jamal Suit Jacket
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