Mackage is a luxury Canadian outerwear brand that I’ve admired for a while, but I finally pulled the trigger last year when their Farren puffer went on sale. I bought it in August (yes, you read that right) at their SoHo store when I serendipitously found it at 25% off. It was my lesson learned that off-season can sometimes score you better deals than Black Friday! Read my post below for my full Mackage Farren review, along with other flattering alternatives that I tried.
Also, I love this interview that Mackage’s founder did with Shopify Masters
—one of my favorite entrepreneurship podcasts. He walks you through the DNA of the brand, and it is partially what inspired my purchase!
Disclosure: This post makes use of affiliate links, which may result in a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
Mackage Farren Review: Fit, Warmth & Quality
There are only a few Mackage retail stores in the U.S., but luckily the brand is carried at most high-end department stores: Saks, Nordstrom, Bloomingdale’s, Neiman Marcus, Bergdorf’s. (From my experience, Saks seems to have the best assortment breadth) In the end, I am glad I tried the coat on in-person to determine the best color and size on me. Although the quality is consistent, I found that the fit does vary slightly by style.
Mackage Farren Review: How It Fits
I am normally between an XS and S, but sizing down was the better option for me. Although S was roomier, the fit looked less flattering than XS, and the store associate agreed that a closer fit is better for maintaining warmth. The shell fabric also comes with 18% spandex, which comes in handy if you’re wearing layers underneath.
Consistent with many of Mackage’s designs, the Farren is thoughtfully designed. There are angled panels at the waist that help with contouring. From the waist down, the cut feels semi-fitted but not constricting for movement. Their almost similar design is the Calla (reviewed below), which is more fitted than this one.
Some say the fitted waist is what makes the Farren run small. So if you’re in between sizes, I would size up/down based on your proportions.
Warmth Level
This coat is made with 90% down, 10% feather, which is considered a high-quality, insulating blend. Mackage down is ethically sourced, and compliant with RDS (Responsible Down Standard) with 800+ fill power and suitable for conditions up to -10°C.
I wore this coat extensively during my trip to Paris (see how I packed HERE) at the beginning of 2024, and had no issues even on the chilliest and rainiest days. Not to mention, the higher fill-power also means greater warmth with lesser weight. Compared to heavier hardshell parkas I’ve owned, the Farren was a breeze to carry around.
Quality
I am very satisfied with the quality and functional features of this coat. The shell fabric is water resistant. During our rainy days in Paris, I noticed that droplets would bead up on the surface without actually permeating the down underneath. (So the material lives up to its claim!) Also, I love the leather trim that lines the zippers, adding a sleek, modern touch.
Lastly, I was pleased by how smoothly the zippers glide. I have fumbled with tricky zippers in the past, and scratched my hands on a few rough ones. But I can tell that Mackage sources their trims very thoughtfully, and this detail was not an issue!
Mackage Farren Review: Things to Consider Before You Buy
I like to be transparent with my reviews, especially since Mackage coats are an investment. Two things stand out to me that can be improved. Although they are not deal-breakers in light of all the positive features, here is my experience after some period of wear.
- The leather trim makes the collar feel stiff. I am hoping the leather trim will soften with time. However, I find that since it reinforces the zipper, which runs the full length of the coat, the edge of the collar is constantly rubbing against my chin. It’s a nit-picky detail that I did not realize when I first tried it in the store.
- The stitching in one of the sleeves partially unraveled. I was surprised that the thread had come loose in a small section of my right sleeve, and I am sure the defect is few and far between. Their coats are protected under the Mackage Lifetime Warranty Program, which also accepts coats bought from authorized retailers. However, the repair time is 2-8 weeks. The issue was easy enough to fix at home, but it is good to know this service exists.
Mackage Comparison Review: Shia, Kay, Hope
To round out my Mackage Farren review, I tried a few more styles for comparison at the Nordstrom in NYC. Their stock seems lighter this year, but see below for my initial impressions and fit as they do vary quite a bit across styles.
Mackage Shia 2-in-1 Double Face Wool Coat w/Bib Collar
When I first saw this style on the rack, I thought it looked so much classier than images I had seen online. I love the innovative use of leather, wool, and puffer material in one design. You can also remove the bib collar, which makes it very versatile! This coat is meant for slightly warmer weather than the Farren Down Puffer (up to -5°C).
As you can imagine, the Shia wool coat has less give than their puffers. I found it to run small. I am wearing an XS here, as that was the only size available. However, size S would have definitely fit better.
Mackage Kay Down Coat without Fur
The Kay is another signature style of Mackage’s that comes in a fur and non-fur version. By 2025, the brand is phasing out the use of animal fur, which I support. Out of all the styles I tried, the Kay is best suited for deep cold (up to -20°C). Some of the supportive features include ribbed cuffs, an inner bib, fleece pocket lining, as well as a wind / water resistant shell.
Ultimately, I found this design to be more functional than it is polished. It feels a step above what I need for everyday wear in NYC, but makes a durable coat for colder winters. I am wearing an XS, but could have also sized up to S for a better fit.
Mackage Hope Softwash Down Jacket
The Hope costs almost the same as the Farren, despite being a shorter length. However, it is a very chic puffer coat with its unique rounded quilting pattern. This coat has similar warmth to the Farren (suitable for up to -15°C). The main difference comes down to the fabric texture. The Hope Puffer has a crinkled matte texture versus the Farren has a smoother finish. You can see the differences side-by-side here.
I am wearing XS here, and I found this size to be a good fit.
Mackage Calla Review
I checked out the Calla at the Mackage store in SoHo, and I am so glad I did! I assumed the fit would be exactly the same as the Farren since the shell fabric is the same. However, I learned that the Calla is their most fitted design whereas the Farren is semi-fitted. Size S was perfect in the Calla, whereas for the Farren, I found sizing down to an XS was more flattering.
Another consideration is that the Calla obviously comes with a fur hood. I love how beautiful this coat is, but don’t support the use of animal fur. I am hoping in the future they come out with a fur-less version of this design!
