“Luxury must be comfortable, otherwise it is not luxury.”
- August 19, 1883 – January 10, 1971
- Born in France
- Designer, businesswoman
- Founded the Chanel brand and advocated modern and simple fashion, especially popularizing the “Chanel suit” and “little black dress,” and contributing to the liberation of women.
Quote
“Luxury must be comfortable, otherwise it is not luxury.”
Explanation
In this quote, Coco Chanel redefines the concept of luxury, challenging the common perception that it is synonymous with opulence or excess. For Chanel, true luxury is not about being extravagant for the sake of appearance or showing off wealth; instead, it is about comfort, ease, and practicality. This perspective reflects her own approach to fashion, where she revolutionized women’s clothing by prioritizing comfort and functionality over restrictive, ornate styles. She is perhaps best known for her creation of the chanel suit and the little black dress, both of which combined elegance with comfort—a stark contrast to the rigid, corseted styles that dominated women’s fashion at the time.
Chanel’s quote can also be seen as a critique of traditional luxury, which often emphasized outward show and formality. She believed that true luxury should enhance a person’s life in a way that feels natural and effortless. This is why comfort was a key component of her designs—luxury, in Chanel’s eyes, should never be about suffering for the sake of looking good. A woman should feel both refined and at ease in what she wears, creating a harmony between style and personal well-being. Her emphasis on comfort also speaks to a broader modern sensibility where luxury is less about the extravagance of material things and more about the quality and pleasure they bring.
In today’s world, Chanel’s definition of luxury remains incredibly relevant. It invites us to reconsider our ideas of what constitutes true wealth—luxury is not simply about owning expensive things, but about owning things that make life easier, more joyful, and more authentic. Whether it’s in fashion, design, or lifestyle, this quote encourages us to seek out what nourishes us, not just what impresses others. It suggests that real luxury is not an external display, but an internal feeling of ease and contentment, achieved through thoughtful, meaningful choices that prioritize both beauty and comfort.
