Flash back to the 2000 classic film Almost Famous, and Penny Lane’s free-spirited wardrobe, memorably worn by actor Kate Hudson, still feels remarkably fresh and relevant today. In fact, her shaggy, faux fur-trimmed coat is so iconic that it has been countlessly recreated by modern-day designers across the spectrum, and worn by contemporary celebrities such as Bella Hadid and Zoe Kravitz. But what if we told you that there is a new fall "it" coat in town this year, one that still captures that unmistakable Penny Lane-coded energy, yet delivers it in a more unexpected and contemporary way?
Cue this season’s Conner Ives robe coat. First debuted during the American designer’s fall runway show, this luxurious piece of outerwear is now having a massive cultural and commercial moment. Crafted with a rich silk-satin base and lavishly trimmed with repurposed vintage fox fur along the oversized collar and cuffs, this bohemian topper has already been spotted on numerous high-profile occasions this fall season. It has been embraced by A-listers like Kendall Jenner and Kate Moss, no less, despite commanding a notably hefty price tag that starts around $6,000 and goes up from there.
Supermodel Kate Moss was actually one of the very first major trendsetters to test-drive the piece out on the streets, wearing it all the way back in January. The legendary British model chose one of Ives’s shorter black silk robe coats, pairing it with a classic, effortless combination of light-wash skinny jeans. A few months later, Zoe Kravitz followed suit, stepping out in a light-blue iteration while attending a high-profile Saturday Night Live after-party alongside her boyfriend, Harry Styles. In that moment, a new star coat was officially born, signaling to the wider fashion industry that a shift in luxury outerwear was underway.
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As the autumnal weather settled in, this slightly 1970s-inflected statement piece has only continued to grow in its sartorial power and visibility. Model Laura Harrier was spotted wearing the exact same black version as Moss earlier this month, styling it down in Los Angeles with sleek capri leggings and sharp pointed pumps. Just this week, Kendall Jenner offered her own take on the trend, wearing a long, cream-colored style while out and about, finishing off her look with black high-waisted trousers and a tonal Chanel maxi tote that tied the entire monochromatic outfit together.
If you really think about it, it is hardly any wonder why the Conner Ives coats are rapidly becoming the definitive breakout outerwear hit of the season. Much like the original Penny Lane coats that came before them, they function as a total styling no-brainer. You can easily pair them with your most discreet, understated everyday basics—a simple pair of jeans, basic trousers, or neutral layers—and the striking, textured piece instantly does all of the heavy lifting for your outfit. It makes a bold fashion statement, but in a remarkably low-lift, effortless way. Isn’t that precisely what anyone wants out of a splurge-worthy investment coat that demands attention without requiring hours of meticulous outfit planning?
Most importantly, however, the Ives coats are wonderfully cozy and plush, making them exceptionally well-suited for those genuinely frigid fall days when warmth is just as important as aesthetics. Wearing one is essentially a chic, elevated way to wrap yourself up in a snuggly, luxurious blanket, with the major bonus that you can also wear it out to dinner, a late-night industry party, or a downtown gallery opening and still look entirely put-together and impeccably styled. For the fashion crowd navigating the tricky transition into colder weather, that certainly sounds like a win-win.
