Thursday, December 17, 2020

The Flight Attendant Is Full Of Covetable Coats. Here Are The Styles You Can Still Buy.

This story contains spoilers for The Flight Attendant on HBO Max. 

Cassie (Kaley Cuoco) on HBO Max’s The Flight Attendant can finally put her traumatic trip to Bangkok behind her. On Thursday, the show — based on Chris Bohjalian’s mystery novel about a flight attendant (Cuoco) who wakes up after a drunken first date to find her suitor, Alex Sokolov (Michiel Huisman), dead in bed with her — ended. But while we’ve closed the book (in this case, Crime and Punishment) on the drama, we won’t be as quick to forget Cuoco’s Flight Attendant coat collection. 

From the pink, boucle Isabel Marant coat that Cassie wears to visit Alex’s office — knocking down an expensive rabbit statue and running from security in the process — to the camel-colored Theory trench coat she dons not once, but twice — including for an Old Hollywood-esque ride through the streets of Rome — every piece of outerwear donned by the story’s protagonist is standout. 

According to Cat Thomas, the costume designer on the project, Cassie’s coats were of the utmost importance, due to their role in every New Yorker’s wardrobe. “Coats are a thing in New York,” she tells Refinery29. (Anyone currently experiencing what AccuWeather called a “Blockbuster Snowstorm” can confirm.) “When we started hearing that things would shut down back in February [due to the pandemic], I basically became a coat hoarder. I was like, Oh my god, that coat’s going to be gone and that coat’s going to be gone, and I’m going to be so mad that I didn’t get them when I could.’” 

For Thomas, each of Cassie’s coats was representative of the different faces she puts on throughout the season. At the beginning of the series, Cassie turns to bright shades and bold fabrics mirroring the hectic events unfolding all around her. “There’s a lot of color and a sort of tactile way about her wardrobe,” she says, pointing to the pink Isabel Marant number and a Saint Laurent croc-effect pea coat she wears to go out drinking with her co-worker and friend Shane (Griffin Matthews). “And then she has this very sophisticated side, which includes a [navy blue] Max Mara coat that is part of her proper flight attendant uniform, and a Marni coat, which is this kind of fun, swing, blue coat.”

For Alex’s funeral upstate, one of Cassie’s most memorable looks, Thomas designed a cape-like coat. “I had to create something that would mimic Cassie’s mindset of, ‘Oh, this is what I should wear to a rich, Westchester memorial service,’ thus the cape and hat she wears.”

Though Cassie’s story is over (for now), her character lives on in the coats she left behind. Ahead, shop the few that are still available, as well as styles similar to the ones that aren’t. 

At Refinery29, we’re here to help you navigate this overwhelming world of stuff. All of our market picks are independently selected and curated by the editorial team. If you buy something we link to on our site, Refinery29 may earn commission.

Camel Theory Leather Trench Coat


Cassie's camel-colored leather trench coat — a huge trend in 2020 — appears in two separate scenes. First, she dons the lightweight outerwear to a meeting with the FBI in episode two, pairing it with a yellow wrap scarf by Rag & Bone. Later, in the season finale, she wears the coat once again, this time during a work trip to Rome.

"The trench was meant to be sort of reminiscent of old movies," says Thomas. "It felt so beautiful to have this woman wear a protective leather trench coat while riding around Rome on a scooter. And the color was so interesting — it fit her personality perfectly."

Naturally, the coat on everyone's holiday wishlist is already sold out. That said, Theory has a black, patent leather trench that's equally wow-worthy.


Theory Oaklane Short Faux Patent Leather Trench Coat, $, available at Saks Fifth Avenue

Pink Isabel Marant Étoile Coat


A true millennial, Cassie paired her pale pink coat — courtesy of Isabel Marant Étoile — with a red turtleneck, a cream-colored Gucci skirt, and taupe, suede boots.

"In the scene, she's supposed to be [at Alex's office] disguised as this other, very professional person, and yet... you would spot her from a mile away," jokes Thomas.


Isabel Marant Étoile Dante Coat, $, available at Isabel Marant

Stella McCartney x The Beatles Plaid Coat


In one of the few fun-loving scenes from the show, Cassie — at an aquarium with her brother Davey (T.R. Knight), his husband, and his two children — dons a casual look, which includes a gray, plaid coat from Stella McCartney's The Beatles collection, a red-and-white striped turtleneck T-shirt, and jeans.


Stella McCartney x The Beatles Coat, $, available at Yoox

Isabel Marant Étoile Plaid Coat


To ransack Alex's glitzy Hudson Yards apartment, Cassie naturally dressed the part of his wealthy "sister." For the occasion, she paired Dr. Martens and cuffed black jeans with an oversized, plaid coat from Isabel Marant Étoile.


Isabel Marant Étoile Henlo Coat, $, available at 24Sèvres

Navy Blue Marni Coat


Anyone who's watched the series will tell you that this coat — a navy blue, oversized style from Marni — appears in the show following a traumatic moment for Cassie. And yet, her coat keeps her looking as cool and calm as physically possible.

Sadly, her exact coat is no longer available. That said, this Marni pea coat is almost identical. For a cheaper alternative, try Jil Sander's Uniqlo coat collection.


J+ Uniqlo Double Face Double Breasted Coat, $, available at Uniqlo

Saint Laurent Mock Croc Coat


During one of two trips to Italy during the season, Cassie dons a black, mock-croc coat designed by Saint Laurent. Unfortunately, this one, too, is sold out. Don't fret, though. Mock croc is everywhere, with endless alternatives to this look.


Nasty Gal Why Croc Now Patent Leather Faux Leather Jacket, $, available at Nasty Gal

Navy Blue Max Mara Wrap Coat


Should we become flight attendants, too, just so we can look this chic at the airport? Unlike many people, whose airport looks involve sweatpants and UGGs, Cassie, suitcase in tow, strolls through her terminal wearing a navy blue wrap coat by Max Mara — and yes, it's still available.


Max Mara Esturia Double Face Wool Coat, $, available at mytheresa

Custom Navy Blue Cape


When Thomas was told she had to incorporate a hat into Cassie's look for Alex's funeral, she was perplexed. "I was like, 'Oh god, a hat. Okay. How am I going to work this in without it being ridiculous?'" But when given a task like that, you have to go all out, or at least that's what Thomas chose to do. "If she's doing a hat, then I might as well design and build a cape," Thomas says of her thinking for the look.

The cape in question is navy blue and made of wool. "She wears it during the whole chase scene on the train, so we wanted it to be dramatic with a sort of nostalgic, film noir feel," she says.

Since her cape was custom made, it's not available for purchase. Luckily, Zara has a black alternative that perfectly fits the bill.


Zara Wool Blend Cape, $, available at Zara

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