What with the release of the new Chanel film this weekend – read Cate’s excellent review over on BitchBuzz Culture – it’s no surprise that Coco’s classic French style is all over the place right now.
Breton striped tops abound, pearls are more abundant than they have been since the '80s and quilted bags? Well, people have been knocking them off since Chanel first patented the design, but they’re still going strong.
The Chanel look has endured for decades for the same reason French women pretty much always look good: it’s simple, classic and chic. OK, so Kaiser Karl Lagerfeld is a fan of an ostentatious gold logo or ten, but at the heart of Chanel style is elegance. After all, as Ms Chanel herself said, ‘Fashion fades, only style remains the same’!
Limited Collection Dogtooth Jacket
£39.50, Marks & Spencer
The fashion world has been going apeshit ever since M&S released pictures of this jacket way back when, and now it’s actually in store it’s fair to say that it’s been fairly popular. I’ve seen about 10 women in it in my office alone, but I’m still not bored with it. It’s a classic cut, and although the red with lime trim is my personal choice, the black and white option is possibly more wearable/classic. And M&S quality is possibly equal to Chanel.
Long Sleeve Button Stripe Top
£18, Topshop
If Coco taught us anything, it’s that no wardrobe is complete without a stripy top. As with most Chanel items, you could wear this anywhere. I know I’m fond of hyperbole, but seriously! Jeans, skirt, leggings, work, parties, church… the world is your fashionable oyster.
Cecilia Toe Cap Ballerina Pump
£50, Office
A quilted ballerina pump will see you through most eventualities. The real Chanel ones will set you back a couple of hundred smackers, but just about every shoe shop on the planet seems to be selling knock-offs these days. OK so it won’t have the nifty little CC on the toe cap, but you could always use Tipp-ex (Wite Out, dear American pals).
Hand Knotted Glass Pearls
$10.99, Girl Props
In a dream world, you would be stringing on pile upon pile of inherited pearls from your glamorous old aunt, but alas, for most of us, that’s not gonna happen. Luckily, ‘pearls’ in the form of glass beads painted with shiny pearlescent paint are readily available, and are a darn site cheaper than the real deal. Mad Men devotees can keep their individual strand of pearls; I’ll be piling them up Chanel-stylee, until I can no longer move my neck and have to go see the GP for one of those foam neck braces.
Vintage Quilted Bag
$14, bluegrassbooty @Etsy
I’m not sure why quilted bags are so popular. I guess the Chanel effect probably has something to do with it – nothing seems to symbolise the luxe brand like a bit of quilting. Wonder if they ever thought of making toilet roll? Still, there’s something undeniably appealing about the sight of quilted leather, especially when it’s paired with gold fittings and a nice tassle.
Gold Cigarette Holder
£3.99, Angels Fancy Dress
If the Chanel film taught me anything, it’s that smoking is cool. Not only does it make you look elegant and like Audrey Tautou, but it also keeps you thin enough to wear Chanel clothing. I’m joking of course, smoking isn’t big or clever but cigarette holders are pretty cool. For fancy dress purposes, obviously. This ‘gold’ model is extendable, meaning you can poke people at parties and/or get your cigarette lit by someone standing really far away from you. Handy for these swine flu times, no?
Image via KristenOreily.com