11 of Coco Chanel's Best Quotes

Hat, Photograph, White, Monochrome, Style, Monochrome photography, Fashion accessory, Black-and-white, Wrist, Jewellery,

(Image credit: Archive)

published 23 July 2014

Coco Chanel defined modern fashion for women everywhere. Thanks to her innovative designs, women's fashions departed from the restrictive garb that was the norm before World War I to a more casual aesthetic in clothing. She started the conversation of what to wear and how to wear it—a conversation women all over the globe are still having today.

Hat, Facial expression, Style, Monochrome photography, Jewellery, Photography, Black-and-white, Monochrome, Sun hat, Poster,

"The most courageous act is still to think for yourself. Aloud." —Coco Chanel

Vintage clothing, Fur clothing, Fur, Poster, Overcoat, Retro style, Animal product, Natural material, Photo caption, One-piece garment,

"Luxury must be comfortable, otherwise it is not luxury." —Coco Chanel

Style, Monochrome photography, Black-and-white, Poster, Vintage clothing, Publication, Feather, Portrait photography, Wallpaper, Graphic design,

"A girl should be two things: who and what she wants." —Coco Chanel

Human, Human body, Photograph, Hat, Vintage clothing, Sun hat, Retro style, Advertising, Street fashion, Poster,

"You live but once; you might as well be amusing." —Coco Chanel

Fashion accessory, Jewellery, Hat, Wrist, Costume accessory, Necklace, Sun hat, Watch, Body jewelry, Bracelet,

"I am not young but I feel young. The day I feel old, I will go to bed and stay there. J'aime la vie! I feel that to live is a wonderful thing." —Coco Chanel

Hairstyle, Chin, Forehead, Eyebrow, Style, Jaw, Eyelash, Poster, Monochrome photography, White-collar worker,

"Fashion has two purposes: comfort and love. Beauty comes when fashion succeeds." —Coco Chanel

Camera, Single-lens reflex camera, Film camera, Winter, Monochrome, Photography, Cameras & optics, Digital camera, Reflex camera, Black-and-white,

"The best color in the whole world is the one that looks good on you." —Coco Chanel

Hat, Photograph, Style, Headgear, Street fashion, Vintage clothing, Sun hat, Monochrome, Fedora, Monochrome photography,

"Simplicity is the keynote of all true elegance." —Coco Chanel

Style, Monochrome, Poster, Monochrome photography, Wall clock, Black-and-white, Photo caption, Clock,

"Dress shabbily and they remember the dress; dress impeccably and they remember the woman." —Coco Chanel

Hat, Sleeve, Photograph, Style, Headgear, Monochrome, Monochrome photography, Sun hat, Street fashion, Black-and-white,

"Since everything is in our heads, we had better not lose them." —Coco Chanel

Sleeve, Hat, Formal wear, Headgear, Costume design, Fashion, Vintage clothing, Costume accessory, Fashion design, Sun hat,

"Fashion is not something that exists in dresses only. Fashion is in the sky, in the street, fashion has to do with ideas, the way we live, what is happening." —Coco Chanel

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Hallie has worked in beauty editorial for ten years and has been editorial director at Byrdie since 2021. Previously, she was a senior editor at Byrdie since 2016. During her time at Byrdie, she's written hundreds of high-performing stories on skincare, wellness (including fitness, diet, mental health, body image, et al) makeup, and hair. She's a regular on set, helping to source inspiration for makeup and hair looks, as well as interviewing celebrities, models, and other notable women and men in the beauty space.

Before that, Hallie ran Marie Claire's social media and wrote beauty and culture stories for the site, and helped launch Time Inc.'s digital-only beauty brand, MIMI. After college, she contributed to Time Out New York’s Shopping & Style section before landing her first beauty editor gig at Hearst's Real Beauty. Hallie's writing has also appeared in ELLE, Cosmopolitan, and InStyle. Hallie graduated with a BA in Communication Arts from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.